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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.
Report: US Considered Direct Talks With North Korea Before Nuclear Test
By Ankit Panda
Plus, Raheel Sharif checks up on CPEC, Saab Gripens to India, and more. Defense and security reads.
Declassified: US Attempts to Rein in Chiang Ching-kuo's Nuclear Ambitions
By Ankit Panda
The Carter administration had to make sure Taiwan didn't renege on a 1976 nuclear pledge.
Did China’s Military Drone Technology Espionage Pay Off in the End?
By Robert Farley
Just how much information on U.S. military drones did China have to steal for its own designs?
Time to Rethink US and South Korean Approaches to North Korea
By Dingding Chen
In approaching North Korea, doing the same thing over and over with sanctions simply won't work.
Iran Deal, NPT and the Norms of Nuclear Non-Proliferation
By Arka Biswas
The Iran deal has serious implications for the nuclear non-proliferation architecture.
US Wants Expanded Naval Protocol Amid China’s South China Sea Assertiveness
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Senior naval commander reiterates that CUES needs to cover non-military ships too.
Confirmed: China Deploys Missiles to Disputed South China Sea Island
By Shannon Tiezzi
U.S. and Taiwanese defense officials confirm reports that China set up missile defense systems on Woody Island.
US Deploys F-22 Stealth Fighters to South Korea to Deter Pyongyang
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The U.S. military flew four F-22 aircraft over South Korea amid growing tensions with North Korea.
Is China Considering a High-Risk Change to Its Nuclear Deterrence Posture?
By Ankit Panda
China may be considering putting its nuclear forces on alert.
Top US Spy Chief: China Still Successful in Cyber Espionage Against US
By Franz-Stefan Gady
China and Russia remain leading threats in cyberspace, the director of national intelligence said in front of Congress.
Afghanistan: Lessons Learned for the 2016 Fighting Season
By Shawn Snow
The situation is not all bad, but Afghan forces need to learn the lessons of 2015.
It's Time for an American Film Depicting the Chinese Theater of World War II
By Robert Farley
Why has Hollywood shied away from films about Sino-U.S. cooperation during the Second World War?