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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.
Singapore Wants to Defuse South China Sea Tensions With Naval Protocol
By Prashanth Parameswaran
City-state suggests expanding CUES to lower the temperature over simmering disputes.
South China Sea Militarization: Not All Islands Are Created Equal
By Shannon Tiezzi
What China's deployments to Woody Island mean -- and what they don't mean.
A Great Leap to Nowhere: Remembering the US-North Korea 'Leap Day' Deal
By Ankit Panda
Four years ago, the United States thought it had made a breakthrough with the new Kim in town. It was wrong.
HMAS Canberra to the Rescue in Fiji
By Robert Farley
HMAS Canberra highlights Australia's ability to contribute to humanitarian assistance/disaster relief in the Pacific.
Confirmed: Construction Begins on China's First Overseas Military Base in Djibouti
By Ankit Panda
China's defense ministry has confirmed that construction has started on its "support facilities" in Djibouti.
ASEAN ‘Seriously Concerned’ By China’s South China Sea Behavior
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Foreign ministers react to recent Chinese actions.
US, China Near Agreement on North Korean Sanctions
By Shannon Tiezzi
Nearly two months after Pyongyang's nuclear test, UN Security Council is finally close to agreeing on a response.
What Is THAAD, What Does It Do, and Why Is China Mad About It?
By Ankit Panda
Hint: It's not about the THAAD interceptor missiles themselves.
China Warns THAAD Deployment Could Destroy South Korea Ties 'in an Instant'
By Shannon Tiezzi
China's ambassador to South Korea sends a dire warning about the impact of THAAD on bilateral ties.
India Is Making a Move on the South China Sea
By Harsh V. Pant
Make no mistake: India is charting a new course on South China Sea.
US Admiral: ‘China Seeks Hegemony in East Asia’
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The head of U.S. PACOM wants more attack subs and long-range missiles to counter Chinese expansion in the Asia-Pacific.
China’s South China Sea Missile Deployment: Why Americans Object
By Denny Roy
The U.S. has good reason to be concerned about the new anti-aircraft missile system on Woody Island.