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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.
Chinese, Russian Navies to Hold 8 Days of Naval Exercises in the South China Sea
By Ankit Panda
Beijing and Moscow will hold the first-ever South China Sea iteration of their Joint Sea exercises.
4 China Coast Guard Vessels Enter Disputed East China Sea Waters
By Ankit Panda
The incident is the first in the East China Sea since Abe and Xi met at the 2016 G20 meeting in Hangzhou, China.
North Korea's 5th Nuclear Test: How Will the World Respond?
By Scott A. Snyder
The Kim regime is counting on more of the same from the international community.
General Raziq: Kabul’s Man in Southern Afghanistan
By Shawn Snow
The Afghan government's reliance on Abdul Raziq highlights Kabul’s reliance on warlords for its war strategy.
5.3 Magnitude Quake Detected in North Korea, Likely Fifth Nuclear Test
By Ankit Panda
If confirmed, 2016 would become the first year to see multiple nuclear tests by North Korea.
US-China Competition in ASEAN on the South China Sea: Who Won This Round?
By Shawn W. Crispin
A closer look at how the two powers did in the recent round of regional summitry in Laos.
The Surprising New Challenge for the US in the South China Sea
By Mohamed Zeeshan
Washington's headache in the South China increasingly includes one of its own allies.
North Korea Showed Off a Previously Unseen Missile During the G20
By Ankit Panda
Pyongyang's been sitting on the Scud-ER for years. It finally showed it off during the Hangzhou G20 meeting.
Tarin Kot: The City that Launched Karzai Under Threat of Collapse
By Shawn Snow
The collapse of the provincial capital would deal a significant blow to the Afghan government.
US Army to Deploy 1,400 Airborne Troops to Afghanistan
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Elements of the 101st Airborne Division will be deployed to support counterterrorism operations in the country.
Crying Wolf? Contrary to Reports, No Dredges at Scarborough Shoal Yet
By Steven Stashwick
Images show Chinese Maritime Militia, not Barges, but Filipino Fishermen still blocked from Shoal.
US Navy to Hold Massive Naval Drill in Western Pacific
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The exercise will include over a dozen surface warships, 180 aircraft, and 18,000 military personnel.