Blog
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.
September 26, 2020
What If Washington Had Supported Taiwanese Independence in the 1990s?
By Robert Farley
This is not to say that taking a hard line on China would have been popular within the United States, politically possible, or even a good idea. But what if?
September 25, 2020
Can China Become the World Leader in Semiconductors?
By Justin Hodiak and Scott W. Harold
China’s semiconductor industry faces considerable challenges in reaching global leadership status. But don't assume it's impossible.
September 24, 2020
Explainer: The TikTok Deal for Dummies
By Ben Lowsen
Trump is threatening repercussions to coax ByteDance into a deal, but whether the Chinese and U.S. governments will both assent remains unclear.
September 23, 2020
Fresh Round of India-China Military Commanders’ Talks Hint at a New Status Quo on their Border
By Abhijnan Rej
A joint statement after the meeting does not mention restoration of status quo in eastern Ladakh – an omission consistent with hardening Chinese position.
September 23, 2020
Could Pakistan Move to Make Gilgit-Baltistan a New Province Soon?
By Abhijnan Rej
Islamabad’s decision will factor in several domestic and geopolitical considerations.
September 21, 2020
2 Recent Alleged Episodes of Chinese Espionage Raise Worrying – and Difficult – Questions
By Abhijnan Rej
The arrest of an Indian journalist and ongoing investigation of a Brussels-based think tanker point to growing Chinese intelligence push across several civil societies.
September 18, 2020
US Congressman ‘Deeply Concerned’ About Ongoing India-China Crisis
By Abhijnan Rej
The United States and India are in touch about the ongoing standoff in eastern Ladakh.
September 18, 2020
US Defense Secretary’s Recent Speech: Familiar Themes and Unfamiliar Problems
By Abhijnan Rej
The Trump administration’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific could end up working in unpredictable ways for the U.S.
September 17, 2020
Don’t Underestimate India’s Sidelining of Huawei
By Justin Sherman
New Delhi didn’t “ban” Huawei at the behest of Washington. It sidelined the Chinese company for its own complex array of reasons.
September 17, 2020
Rise of the Minilaterals: Examining the India-France-Australia Trilateral
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
The India-France-Australia trilateral is only the latest of the many minilaterals that are taking shape in the Indo-Pacific region.
September 15, 2020
Germany’s Indo-Pacific Vision: A New Reckoning With China or More Strategic Drift?
By Coby Goldberg
Like Monday’s summit, Berlin’s regional strategy tinkers around the edges of trade policy without risking the cost of a full-fledged strategic reckoning with China.
September 15, 2020
Indian Defense Minister Blames China for Ongoing Crisis, Suggesting India’s Military Option Remains Open
By Abhijnan Rej
Rajnath Singh’s statement before the Indian Parliament stood out for its blunt tone.
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