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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.
India and United States Agree to Deepen Military Ties, Technology Collaboration
By Franz-Stefan Gady
New Delhi and Washington pledged to collaborate more closely on defense in a recently issued joint statement.
China Protests as G7 Ministers Express Concern Regarding East, South China Seas
By Ankit Panda
The Chinese foreign ministry strongly condemned the G7 ministers' statement in Hiroshima.
Is Australia the Key to US Containment of China?
By Robert O. Freedman
Domestic factors may lead Australia to take a more active role in challenging Chinese assertiveness.
Japan Sends Helicopter Destroyer to South China Sea
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force warship will join a naval exercise held off Indonesia this week.
Why the Nuclear Security Summit Alone Won't Stop Nuclear Terrorism
By Mariah A.V. Hays and Hannah E. Haegeland
The Nuclear Security Summit process has its limits; fortunately, the IAEA is well-positioned to address them.
US Navy Surveillance Flight Officer Under Investigation for Espionage
By Ankit Panda
U.S. Navy officer Lt. Cmdr. Edward C. Lin is accused of passing secrets of China.
US Defense Secretary on THAAD in South Korea: 'It's Going to Happen'
By Ankit Panda
Speaking before a trip to Asia on Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter remarked that THAAD would come to South Korea.
The South China Sea Disputes: Past, Present, and Future
By Young China Watchers
An interview with Bill Hayton, author of The South China Sea: The Struggle for Power in Asia.
How Mao Zedong Benefited From the Cuban Missile Crisis
By Robert Farley
The Chinese role in Cuba during the Cold War paid dividends domestically for Mao Zedong.
Russia Will Ship S-300 Missile Systems to Iran Within Days
By Franz-Stefan Gady
A Russian diplomat expects the first S-300 delivery to take place in the coming days.
China Unveils New South China Sea Lighthouse on Subi Reef
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Beijing holds a “completion ceremony” for a lighthouse on one of its artificial islands.
Could Koreans Lead a Future Generation of Private Military Firms?
By Robert Farley
Where would North Korea's soldiers go after a hypothetical reunification on the Korean peninsula?