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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.
Will the US-China Trade War Spill Over Into the South China Sea?
By Robert Farley
Can the South China Sea become a front in the U.S.-China trade war?
Deconstructing the US Trade War Against China
By Jin Kai
The Trump administration is employing a “gray zone” strategy to prevent China from emerging as a threat to U.S. dominance.
Did the Obama-Xi Cyber Agreement Work?
By Robert Farley
How does the 2015 agreement between the U.S. and China on cyber activities hold up?
Submarines in the South China Sea Conflict
By Tyler Headley
Since 1991, five of seven countries with a claim in the South China Sea have purchased at least one attack submarine.
Trump's Iran Sanctions Reimposition Takes the JCPOA One Step Closer to Collapse
By Ankit Panda
The core bargain at the heart of the JCPOA doesn't exist in the way it was designed to any longer.
Can the US Compete With China in Southeast Asia?
By Dingding Chen and You Wang
Both countries have advantages in Southeast Asia, and the competition will be a long game.
US B-52H Bombers and P-8A Sub-Hunting Aircraft Train Over East China Sea
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Two U.S. bombers and two maritime patrol aircraft conducted a joint training mission over the East China Sea last week.
A Closer Look at the ASEAN-China Single Draft South China Sea Code of Conduct
By Carl Thayer
A sneak peak at the ASEAN-China Single Draft Code of Conduct in the South China Sea Negotiating Text.
US 2019 Defense Bill Calls for Public Reporting on China's Militarization Activities in the South China Sea
By Ankit Panda
The 2019 NDAA calls on the U.S. Department of Defense to make public Chinese militarization activities in the South China Sea.
Making Sense of Russia’s Involvement in Afghanistan
By Nicholas Trickett
There are plenty of reasons to seriously examine Russia’s role in Afghanistan, but what do many analysts miss?
Japan Asks Russia to Reduce Militarization of Disputed Kuril Islands
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Japan wants Russia to scale down its military presence on the disputed island chain.
US Intelligence: North Korea Is Continuing to Produce ICBMs
By Ankit Panda
North Korean production of at least one Hwasong-15 ICBM has been detected by U.S. intelligence agencies.