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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.
Russia Plans South China Sea Naval Exercise With China in 2016
By Ankit Panda
Russia and China will hold a naval exercise in the South China Sea next year.
Why Did a US Cyber Attack on North Korea Fail?
By Catherine Putz
North Korea's near-complete isolation may have had something to do with the 2010 failure of a Stuxnet-related attack.
How Toyota Drives Kentucky's Economy
By Robert Farley
When Kentuckians think "American made cars" they think of Toyota.
Australia Speaks Plainly on the South China Sea
By Elliot Brennan
The country’s defense officials make their strongest statements yet on the disputes.
Meet North Korea's Speedy, Stealthy Boats
By Ankit Panda
Plus, nuclear diplomacy, North Korea, U.S.-India relations, and more. Weekend links.
Top US Officials Heat Up Rhetoric on China's South China Sea Behavior
By Ankit Panda
U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter minced no words: the U.S. is here to stay in Asia.
Meet the Russian Politician Who Thinks That 'Tanks Don't Need Visas'
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Dmitry Rogozin believes in speaking loudly and carrying a big stick.
Rebalancing US Airpower Between Asia and the Middle East
By Robert Farley
Rebalancing U.S. airpower to Asia will prove challenging.
3 Things China Can Do to Reduce South China Sea Tensions
By Dingding Chen
China needs to reassure the U.S., reassure other Asian states, and be more transparent with its ambitions.
China Slams US Over Economic Espionage Charges
By Franz-Stefan Gady
How will this impact the bilateral relationship?
What the US Gets Wrong About Chinese Cyberespionage
By Greg Austin
Is it government policy in China to pass on commercial secrets obtained via cyberespionage to civil sector firms?
4 Reasons Why China Is No Threat to South China Sea Commerce
By Greg Austin
US diplomacy is not served by exaggerating or inventing military threats, such as threats to commercial shipping.