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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.
![Obama Announces Halt of US Troop Cuts in Afghanistan Obama Announces Halt of US Troop Cuts in Afghanistan](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-10-15_15-17-41.jpg)
Obama Announces Halt of US Troop Cuts in Afghanistan
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The new White House plan will keep 9,800 American troops in the country until the end of 2016 or early 2017.
![South China Sea: What 12 Nautical Miles Does and Doesn’t Mean South China Sea: What 12 Nautical Miles Does and Doesn’t Mean](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-08-21_15-01-28.jpg)
South China Sea: What 12 Nautical Miles Does and Doesn’t Mean
By Graham Webster
What does Washington actually hope to accomplish by sailing within 12 nm of Chinese claims in the South China Sea?
![China Enforcing Quasi-ADIZ in South China Sea: Philippine Justice China Enforcing Quasi-ADIZ in South China Sea: Philippine Justice](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-08-31_13-46-19.jpg)
China Enforcing Quasi-ADIZ in South China Sea: Philippine Justice
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Beijing is already effectively implementing an air defense identification zone.
![Which South China Sea Island Holds the Greatest Military Significance? Which South China Sea Island Holds the Greatest Military Significance?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-05-21_16-51-16.jpg)
Which South China Sea Island Holds the Greatest Military Significance?
By Greg Austin
Hainan and China’s unfinished frontier wars.
![Iran Test-Fires New Missile Capable of Hitting Israel Iran Test-Fires New Missile Capable of Hitting Israel](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-10-12_13-39-36.jpg)
Iran Test-Fires New Missile Capable of Hitting Israel
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Tehran’s newest missile allegedly can hit targets “with high precision.”
![Beware China’s Political Warfare Campaign Against US, Allies: Experts Beware China’s Political Warfare Campaign Against US, Allies: Experts](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-03-11_15-29-59.jpg)
Beware China’s Political Warfare Campaign Against US, Allies: Experts
By Prashanth Parameswaran
A recent conference surveyed Beijing’s efforts against Washington and its allies.
![China Derailing Myanmar Peace Talks: Top Negotiator China Derailing Myanmar Peace Talks: Top Negotiator](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-10-05_17-13-45.jpg)
China Derailing Myanmar Peace Talks: Top Negotiator
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Senior official says it is “time to stop whispering” about Beijing’s meddling.
![Why the US-China Summit Failed on the South China Sea Why the US-China Summit Failed on the South China Sea](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-09-25_18-27-57.jpg)
Why the US-China Summit Failed on the South China Sea
By Nguyen Hong Thao
The way both leaders dealt with the disputes publicly was worrying for several reasons.
![Is the Day of the Land Attack Cruise Missile Upon Us? Is the Day of the Land Attack Cruise Missile Upon Us?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-10-08_16-50-46.jpg)
Is the Day of the Land Attack Cruise Missile Upon Us?
By Robert Farley
Russia's campaign in Syria may signal that the heyday of the land attack cruise missile is here at last.
![US Navy Ready to Sail Within 12 Nautical Miles of China's Artificial Islands in the South China Sea US Navy Ready to Sail Within 12 Nautical Miles of China's Artificial Islands in the South China Sea](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2015-10-08_14-40-31.jpg)
US Navy Ready to Sail Within 12 Nautical Miles of China's Artificial Islands in the South China Sea
By Shannon Tiezzi
Two reports say the long-awaited freedom of navigation operations may commence in the next weeks or even days.
Japan’s Largest Company Is ISIS’ Car Maker of Choice
By Franz-Stefan Gady
How did so many Toyota pickup trucks and SUVs end up in the hands of ISIS?
![China, Japan, South Korea Eye Trilateral Finance Meeting China, Japan, South Korea Eye Trilateral Finance Meeting](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/sizes/thumbnail/3243_52439038056a9.jpg)
China, Japan, South Korea Eye Trilateral Finance Meeting
By Bochen Han
The meeting, in addition to discussing economic issues, would set the tone for the expected leaders' summit this fall.