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Flashpoints
Will China’s military rival the United States’ in the Pacific? Will Japan abandon the constitutional fetters on its own military? How will India respond to the String of Pearls strategy? The Diplomat has put together a team of leading analysts to offer must-read, regular commentary on the big defense and security issues in the Asia-Pacific.

April 16, 2021
Fresh Calls for Space Security Governance Measures Unlikely to Yield Results
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Progress will probably require developing small, technical agreements given that big, all-encompassing agreements have proven too difficult under current international circumstances.

April 15, 2021
Chinese Militia Vessels Departing Contested South China Sea Reef
By Steven Stashwick
Over 200 Chinese ships occupied Whitsun Reef for several weeks. Only a handful remain.

April 15, 2021
Biden Announces Plan for US Exit from Afghan War, Urges Attention to Future Challenges
By Catherine Putz
"No one wants to say that we should be in Afghanistan forever. But they insist that now is not the right moment to leave,” Biden rebuffs critics, charting a U.S. exit from its longest war.

April 13, 2021
Official: Iran to Enrich Uranium to 60%, Highest Level Ever
By Jon Gambrell
Following an Israeli attack on the Nantaz nuclear facility, Tehran has doubled down on its nuclear goals, raising the specter of regional crisis.

April 09, 2021
Iran Frees South Korean Ship Held Amid Dispute Over Funds
By Isabel Debre and Jon Gambrel
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Iran released the tanker and its captain after seizing the vessel in January.

April 09, 2021
Welcome to the Fog of More
By Jacob Parakilas
There’s a deeper problem with how we perceive the world than misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda: it’s that we expect that big data means better understanding.

April 08, 2021
Taiwan Will Fight ‘to the Very Last Day’ If China Attacks
By Associated Press
Amid growing worries that China is preparing for military action, Taiwan’s foreign minister affirms Taiwanese “are willing to defend ourselves.”

April 03, 2021
Space Regime in Deep Distress: Experts
By Abhijnan Rej
Capabilities, intent, geopolitics, and national economic ambitions have all stymied efforts to buttress multilateral governance of outer space, a new DRI report finds.

April 02, 2021
What Would Technology for Peace Actually Look Like?
By Jacob Parakilas
Defense technology columns spend a lot of time looking at how emerging technology will shape the future of war. Could technology reshape peace as well?

April 02, 2021
Why India Must Provide Political Asylum to Chin Refugees Fleeing Myanmar
By Angshuman Choudhury
There are concrete strategic reasons why New Delhi must do so, beyond obvious humanitarian ones.

April 01, 2021
Suh Wook’s India Trip: Boost to India-South Korea Defense Ties
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Defense relations between India and South Korea are deepening.

March 31, 2021
What Does Finance Have to Do With War?
By Robert Farley
Examining how Japan financed its 20th century wars provides context for understanding the relationship between finance and international conflict.
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