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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.
March 17, 2023
What China’s North Korea Policy Reveals About Its Stance on Russia’s War in Ukraine
By Anny Boc
Those who expect Beijing to agree on tough measures that would put its partnership with Moscow at risk will surely be disappointed.
March 17, 2023
North Korea Confirms Hwasong-17 ICBM Test
By Mitch Shin
A day after its ICBM launch, North Korea confirmed that it tested its Hwasong-17 ICBM in response to the ongoing South Korea-U.S. combined military exercises.
March 16, 2023
On Day of South Korea-Japan Summit Meeting, North Korea Fires ICBM
By Mitch Shin
Hours before President Yoon held a meeting with the Japanese prime minister in Tokyo, North Korea fired an ICBM toward its eastern coast.
March 14, 2023
North Korea Fires 2 SRBMs as US, South Korea Conduct Military Drills
By Mitch Shin
A day after the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills kicked off, North Korea fired two SRBMs toward its eastern coast as a corresponding measure.
March 13, 2023
North Korea Says It Test-fired 2 Submarine-Launched Strategic Cruise Missiles
By Mitch Shin
After holding a Central Military Commission meeting, North Korea continued its preemptive response to the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills.
March 11, 2023
Deepfakes and Disinformation Pose a Growing Threat in Asia
By Dymples Leong
The growing commercialization of deepfakes will bring new challenges to the Asia-Pacific’s information space.
March 10, 2023
Kim Jong Un Guides North Korean Missile Launch
By Mitch Shin
Three days before the South Korea-U.S. combined military exercises kick off, North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles toward its western coast.
March 10, 2023
North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Toward Sea, Seoul Says
By Kim Tong-hyung
The latest missile launch comes as South Korea and the U.S. prepare for large-scale military exercises, and President Yoon plans trips to both Tokyo and Washington next week.
March 09, 2023
Philippines Launches Strategy of Publicizing Chinese Actions
By Jim Gomez
Manila's coast guard has taken extra efforts to document and publicize assertive Chinese behavior in the South China Sea.
March 08, 2023
Hard Security Back in Focus at the Quad Foreign Ministers Meet
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
It is relatively easy to establish coalitions to work on non-traditional security issues, but nurturing a group to focus on security issues as the core is not easy, especially for countries like India.
March 07, 2023
Did Taiwan Call off Another US House Speaker Visit?
By Brian Hioe
A scoop from Financial Times says that Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has instead asked to meet Kevin McCarthy during a stopover visit to California.
March 04, 2023
China’s Increased Attention to Tibet’s Borders With India
By Apa Lhamo
The Chinese and local government have stepped up plans to settle, develop, and securitize the TAR's disputed border with India.