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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.
Malaysia to Tighten Chip Controls After Pressure From US, Report Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The Trump administration is investigating the illicit export of restricted Nvidia graphics processing units to China.
Collateral Damage: UN Sanctions on North Korea at Risk in Putin-Trump Dealings
By Aaron Arnold
Neither Trump nor Putin has much incentive to address the North Korea issue, but leaving it off the table risks putting the nail in the coffin of the U.N.'s nonproliferation efforts.
The ‘Reverse Kissinger’ Strategy Is Based on Bad History
By David Brostoff
The idea relies on a historical fallacy: Kissinger didn’t create the Sino-Soviet split. He merely took advantage of it.
The AI Superpower Rivalry: A Zero-sum Game Between China and the United States?
By Dingding Chen, Yingfan Chen, and Runyu Huang
Reducing the rivalry to a simplistic “who’s winning” frame overlooks its complexity: The future of AI will be defined by multiple specialized and adaptable systems, not a single dominant architecture.
How Russia-US Talks on Ukraine Shake Taiwanese Confidence in America’s Commitment
By Kuan-chen Lee
Survey findings reveal a clear pattern: Taiwanese perceptions of U.S. credibility are closely tied to how Washington handles its global commitments.
Noshki Bus Attack: The Baloch Liberation Army’s Evolving Suicide Attack Strategy
By Mehrzaad Baluch
Days after a major train hijacking, the BLA targeted buses carrying Pakistani security forces. Both attacks highlight the BLA's new strategy of combining suicide attacks with conventional guerrilla warfare.
Afghanistan, Pakistan Point Fingers Over Islamic State Presence
By Sahibzada Muhammad Usman
Each government is attempting to blame the other for the continued activities of ISKP. Meanwhile, the group continues to conduct attacks.
Quantum: A New Frontier of China-US Competition
By Brian Moscioni
The U.S. and China find themselves headed for another high-stakes technology competition rooted in fears of being left behind and paranoia.
Safeguarding Climate Action Amid Political Transitions in Asia
By Betty Wang and Farwa Aamer
Climate action in many Asian nations remains heavily leadership-driven, making it particularly susceptible to disruption.
Atomic Wars: Nuclear Energy Competition in Southeast Asia
By Kaitlyn Flynn
As governments in the region seek to secure their energy futures, nuclear cooperation is emerging as a new front of strategic jockeying.
The South China Sea: Making the Philippines-US Alliance Work Under Trump 2.0
By Julio Amador III
The most crucial question remains: How to deter China?
Can Trump Restart Talks With North Korea?
By MIYAMOTO Satoru
There is reason to be skeptical.