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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.
India-US 2+2 Strategic Dialogue Keeps Indo-Pacific in Focus
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Despite multiple crises in Europe and the Middle East, the 2+2 strategic dialogue demonstrated that Washington has not entirely lost sight of what needs to be done in the Indo-Pacific.
A South China Sea Code of Conduct Cannot Be Built on a Foundation of Bad Faith
By Raymond Powell
There’s an obvious reason CoC talks haven’t progressed: China isn’t interested.
Taiwan: The Paradox of Preserving the Status Quo
By Wu Jieh-min
Divergent interpretations of the status quo can coexist during peacetime. But with tensions rising, it's getting tricky to keep the balance.
Artificial Intelligence, Disinformation, and the 2024 Indonesian Elections
By Nuurrianti Jalli
With the world at a technological watershed, Indonesia needs to develop mechanisms to guard against the manipulation of AI for political purposes.
Offshore Wind in the South China Sea: A Counter-Salami Slicing Strategy for Vietnam
By Shambhu Sajith
Vietnam could achieve two goals at once by pursuing advanced clean energy technology and solidifying its claims in the South China Sea.
China-US Nuclear Arms Control Talks: A Much-Needed First Step
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Ahead of the anticipated Biden-Xi meeting, officials from both sides met in Washington for arms control and nonproliferation talks.
China’s Ambivalence on the North Korea-Russia Security Alignment
By Wooyeal Paik
There are both pros and cons for Beijing as Russia and North Korea expand their arms trade and strategic cooperation.
India’s Growing Involvement in the South China Sea Disputes
By Nian Peng
New Delhi has been offering military aid and more supportive rhetoric to China's rival claimants, but there are clear limits to its involvement in the disputes.
Rare Earths and Geopolitics: An Increasingly Messy Mix
By Tobias Burgers and Scott N. Romaniuk
A narrative has emerged suggesting that China possesses a willingness to leverage its control over REMs to punish nations over disagreements in the political arena.
Japan-South Korea Cooperation Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict Proves Benefits of Trilateral With US
By Evan Wright and Jessica A. Guarini
Coordination on evacuations of their citizens from the Middle East is a seemingly small but symbolically significant step for Tokyo and Seoul.
Israel’s Assault on Gaza Echoes the British Raj’s Response to the Revolt of 1857
By Bilal Ahmad Tantray
From Delhi in 1857 to Gaza in 2023, the colonial playbook remains largely unchanged.
Bifurcation in the Critical Minerals Market Could Throw off the Global Energy Transition
By Xunpeng Shi and Yifan Shen
The securitization of critical minerals could divide the world, leading to severe consequences for the energy transition and undermining global climate change efforts.