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.
No One Knows What BRICS Expansion Means
By Anjali Bhatt
The 11 members of the expanded group have so little in common that it’s tough to decode what their purpose will be.
Challenges to Underwater Sovereignty and Indonesia’s Naval Modernization
By Iqbal Bagus Alfiansyah and Muhammad Fauzan Malufti
The country's military modernization drive needs to include measures to improve its underwater defense capabilities.
Even Before the Latest Bombing, Mastung Was a Hotbed for Violent Insurgency
By Kiyya Baloch
There is a widespread belief in Balochistan that the authorities in Pakistan have deliberately allowed Islamic fundamentalism to flourish in the province in general – and in Mastung in particular.
India’s Stake in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
By Seamus Duffy
Armenia is a crucial player in the planned International North-South Transportation Corridor. Its defeat will require India to adjust its strategy for the South Caucasus.
Will the Philippines File a Second South China Sea Arbitration Case?
By Trung NGUYEN
The Philippines is exploring the possibility of bringing China to another international dispute settlement organ.
The Antarctic Treaty System: A Useful but Imperfect ‘Guardrail’ for China-US Relations
By Nengye Liu
Unlike the USSR, China, as a latecomer, has no vested interest in the existing rules of the ATS.
What the North Korea-Russia Summit Means for the Korean Peninsula
By Kyung-joo Jeon
Kim Jong Un's trip to Russia was generally analyzed for its impact on the Ukraine War, but it will also have lasting implications for Korean Peninsula security dynamics.
The Limits of the North Korea-Russia Security Partnership
By Khang Vu
Just how far can Moscow and Pyongyang's revived “militant unity” go?
What Is at Stake For the EU in the South China Sea?
By Rahul Mishra and Neevia Kurup
Both ASEAN and its European counterpart have strong incentives to strengthen their cooperation on maritime security issues amid increasing Sino-American frictions.
The Geopolitics of the New India-Middle East-Europe Corridor
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
IMEC is touted as a counter to China’s BRI, but the scale and scope of the latter initiative is much greater.
3 Takeaways From the North Korea-Russia Summit
By Takahashi Kosuke
Russia-North Korea military ties have grown closer since the start of the Ukraine War.
The Strategic and Geopolitical Significance of India’s Chandrayaan 3 Lunar Mission
By Namrata Goswami
As the race to commercially exploit the Moon heats up, India’s latest mission has big ramifications.