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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.
China Pushes Back on Japan, New Zealand Statement on South China Sea
By Ankit Panda
Beijing has rejected a statement by Japan and New Zealand calling on all parties in the disputes to respect a 2016 international ruling.
South China Sea: Japan’s Largest Warship Concludes Drill With US Navy Littoral Combat Ship
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and U.S. Navy completed a passing exercise in the South China Sea this week.
China’s New Silk Road and the Arctic
By Nengye Liu
Could the Belt and Road extend to the Arctic region?
2 Chinese Fighters Conduct 'Unprofessional' Intercept of US Air Force WC-135
By Ankit Panda
Two Chinese Su-30s allegedly intercepted a U.S. WC-135 Constant Phoenix over the East China Sea.
China, ASEAN Come to Agreement on a Framework South China Sea Code of Conduct
By Ankit Panda
The framework appears to focus on general principles, with no agreement on binding rules just yet.
China's A2/AD Challenge in the South China Sea: Securing the Air From the Ground
By Ngo Minh Tri
Aerial defense and surface-to-air systems are increasingly a focus for the People's Liberation Army.
Australia's Military to Develop Cyber-Enabled Warfare Doctrine
By Greg Austin
The Australian military's cyber shake-up, 20 years overdue, brings big problems and some windfall gains.
The Calm Before the Storm: The Future of the South China Sea Dispute
By Tetsuo Kotani
Although quiet in recent months, the South China Sea is destined to remain a regional flashpoint.
US Admiral: North Korea 'Threat to the Entire World'
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The head of U.S. Pacific Command advocates for stronger sanctions against North Korea.
The THAAD System in South Korea Detected North Korea's Latest Missile Launch. So What?
By Ankit Panda
THAAD's utility against a system like the Hwasong-12 is severely limited.
WannaCry Ransomware Should Prompt Movement Towards a Cyber Weapons Convention
By Patrick Cirenza
A recent cyberattack reinforces the case for a global convention.
The Pacific War Origins of US Special Operations Forces
By Robert Farley
The full flowering of special operations forces wouldn’t come until after Vietnam.