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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.
The Asia-Pacific Holds the Key to Tackling Overfishing
By Christine McDaniel
The world can secure its fisheries, but much of Asia still needs to get on board with WTO rules on fishing subsidies.
Taiwan Protests After China Boards a Tourist Boat Near Kinmen Island
By Christopher Bodeen
China is stepping up patrols in the waters off the coast of Kinmen after two Chinese fishermen drowned while fleeing the Taiwanese coast guard.
Why Russia’s Latest Space Weapon Is So Dangerous
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Bringing the nuclear element into space, be it a nuclear weapon or a nuclear-powered counterspace weapon, will have serious repercussions.
The Prospects for Taiwan-EU Cooperation
By Francis Shin
Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te wants to bolster economic and security cooperation with the EU. Will Europe be able to meet Taiwan halfway?
Indian Ocean Leaders Warn of Threats to Shipping, Stability
By Grant Wyeth
The more direct, yet undeclared, theme of the Indian Ocean Conference was China.
US Official Warns of China’s Growing Offensive Cyber Power
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
FBI Director Wray, in particular, sounded the alarm about China's targeting of U.S. critical infrastructure for potential cyber attacks.
Maritime Cybersecurity: An Emerging Area of Concern for India
By Abhishek Sharma
In India, cybersecurity still does not attract the attention it needs – let alone cybersecurity of the maritime domain and its assets.
Pakistan’s TTP Challenge and Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations
By Nazir Ahmad Mir
The Taliban have proved unresponsive to Pakistan's security concerns, resulting in mounting tensions between the two.
Mind the Gap: 5 Debates to Address in the South Korea-US Deterrence Posture
By Kyung-joo Jeon and Hanbyeol Sohn
Five key debates hinder the achievement of an allied integrated approach in dealing with the threat from North Korea.
North Korea Tests More Cruise Missiles as Kim Jong Un Calls for War Readiness
By Kim Tong-hyung
North Korea’s fourth round of cruise missile tests in 2024 came hours after state media reported that Kim had inspected unspecified naval projects at a shipyard in Nampho.
The Iran Factor in the China-Taiwan-US Triangle
By Thiago de Aragao
China could seek to use Iran as a tool to push the United States farther and farther from Taiwan.
How North Korea Deterred an American Invasion in 2002
By A. B. Abrams
Colin Powell’s former chief of staff revealed that an invasion was considered but deemed too risky – well before North Korea’s nuclear deterrent was in place.