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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.
Duterte Calls for End to US-Philippine Military Exercises, Part of Tilt Toward China
By Shannon Tiezzi
Duterte once again rolls back the U.S. alliance, even while eagerly expressing hopes for ties with China.
Mongolia’s Small Country Diplomacy and North Korea
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Can Mongolia solve one of the most vexing security issues in the Asia-Pacific?
France Unveils Its Defense Strategy in the South China Sea and Beyond
By Quoc-Thanh Nguyen
France unveils its Asia-Pacific policy in the last French Military Programming Law.
Pakistan Taliban Leader Killed in Paktika
By Shawn Snow
Paktika province has witnessed a recent spate of violence over the last couple months.
Will North Korea's Nuclear Test Tempt South Korea and Japan to Go Nuclear?
By Pang Zhongying
The latest test may strengthen calls South Korea and Japan to develop their own nuclear weapons.
The Military and Technological Significance of North Korea’s Nuclear Test
By Kazuto Suzuki
The threat is far greater than it was before.
East China Sea: Japan Reacts as Chinese Air Force Conducts Miyako Strait Drill
By Ankit Panda
Several types of Chinese military aircraft transited the strategically important strait.
A Raider and His 'Little Buddy': Which Fighter Will Accompany the USAF's B-21?
By Robert Farley
The B-21 has a name, but what it doesn't have is a fighter to accompany it on long-range strike missions.
Uri and Pathankot: Defending India's Defense Establishments
By Arjun Sreekumar
India's military installations are increasingly targets for terror attacks. How can Delhi defend its soldiers?
Ghani’s Deal With the Devil: Hekmatyar and Transitional Justice
By Shawn Snow
A long delayed, elusive agreement between the government of Afghanistan and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar has been inked.
What Japan-Russia Rapprochement Means for the World
By Yo-Jung Chen
By warming up to Moscow, is Shinzo Abe playing right into Putin's hands?
South China Sea: What's Taiwan Building on Itu Aba?
By Ankit Panda
Whatever Taipei's building on the west side of Itu Aba, it doesn't want to talk about it.