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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.
South Asia’s New Strategic Reality
By Harsh V. Pant
The Modi government in India has set clear terms for South Asian strategic stability.
How Water Scarcity Could Fuel Another Sino-Indian War
By Francis P. Sempa
A recent article lays out how water and geopolitics combine in Arunachal Pradesh.
Why the Korean War Remained Limited
By Robert Farley
How do states evaluate their commitments during wartime?
Kunduz Back in Government Control as Taliban Conduct Information Operations
By Shawn Snow
Afghan forces retook the city center of Kunduz on Tuesday after it was briefly taken by Taliban militants.
South China Sea: China Activates First Desalination Plant on Woody Island
By Ankit Panda
The activation of China's first desalination plant on Woody Island improves the island's livability.
Ghani’s Brussels Trip Overshadowed as Taliban Capture Kunduz Again
By Shawn Snow
The Taliban have launched yet another major assault on Kunduz.
Militants Attack Indian Army Camp in Kashmir's Baramulla District: First Takeaways
By Ankit Panda
The attack on an Indian Army camp in Baramulla comes less than two weeks after the devastating Uri attack.
2 US Warships Make Port Call in Hong Kong
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The visit of two U.S. Navy vessels comes five months after China cancelled a port visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier.
China Defense Ministry: 'Military Will Not Sit Idle' if Japan Expands Involvement in South China Sea
By Ankit Panda
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense warns Japan against getting too involved in the South China Sea.
Is India Capable of a Surgical Strike in Pakistan Controlled Kashmir?
By Shawn Snow
A surgical strike operation by Indian forces begs the question of the military's capability to launch such an attack.
Indian Forces Cross Line of Control to Carry Out 'Surgical Strikes': First Takeaways
By Ankit Panda
Details remain murky on how Indian forces executed the operation, but Delhi is being unusually up front about the strikes.
Is the US Trying to Sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor?
By Ian Price
Intentional or not, U.S. counterterror operations are pushing militants into Balochistan, the heart of CPEC.