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.
Putin's Exotic New Missiles Didn't Come From Nowhere. What Can the US Do in Response?
By Lawrence J. Korb
The last thing the world needs is another arms race. The U.S. would do well to avoid taking Putin's bait.
US, Japan To Hold Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise Off Guam
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will kick off a joint naval drill this week in the Western Pacific.
How to Avoid the Thucydides Trap: The Missing Piece
By Francis P. Sempa
A recent volume gets the limits of U.S. power right, but doesn’t spend enough time on the limits of diplomacy and accommodation.
India, Vietnam Tout International Law, Freedom of Navigation in South China Sea
By Ankit Panda
The two countries continue their convergence over the South China Sea.
The One Important Ingredient for Regional Hegemony That China's Still Missing
By Robert Farley
Hard power and wealth aren't everything in pursuing and maintaining hegemony.
What Putin's Exotic New Nuclear Delivery Methods Are Really About
By Ankit Panda
Why did Vladimir Putin show the world the nuclear aces up his sleeve?
The Wisdom of Moscow’s Equidistant Koreas Policy
By Anthony V. Rinna
The Kremlin's balanced Koreas policy contrasts with that of its two great power peers, China and the United States.
What the Gulf War Teaches About the Future of War
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The Gulf War officially ended 27 years ago in February. Time to look at one of the war’s less well known lessons for future conflict.
China's Cyber Militias
By Nicholas Lyall
China's cyber power is in the grip of dual trends: pluralism and centralization.
Japan Mulls Deployment of Anti-Ship Missiles on Okinawa
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Amid a growing Chinese naval presence, Japan is considering additional steps to protect Miyako Strait.
Are China-India Relations Really Improving?
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Though both sides continue to try to stabilize relations, complications are expected to continue.
Chinese Fighter Violates South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone
By Ankit Panda
The Chinese fighter traveled to the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula over the Sea of Japan.