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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.
Gray Hulls in the Gray Zone: Indonesia’s Conundrum in the South China Sea
By Joseph Kristanto
Due to long-time neglect of its coast guard equivalent, Indonesia has been forced to use its navy to respond to China’s incursions – giving Beijing an excuse to do the same.
Why Did China Test-fire an ICBM Into the South Pacific?
By Denny Roy
Although some officials would have seen the test launch as beneficial, either for technical or political reasons, the incident undermines important Chinese foreign policy goals.
India’s Arctic Challenge: Aligning Strategic Interests With Regional Realities
By Nima Khorrami
Thus far, India’s strategy appears to be a reactionary stance focused more on countering China than on responding to the specific dynamics of the Arctic region.
The Risks of North Korean Provocations in the West Sea
By Jihoon Yu
The West Sea’s strategic and economic significance for both Koreas increases the likelihood of future provocations.
In Historic First, Japan Sends Naval Ship Through the Taiwan Strait
By Takahashi Kosuke
With the unprecedented move this time, Japan now joined the other Western countries engaging in freedom-of-navigation exercises in the Taiwan Strait.
EU China Policy Under von der Leyen 2.0
By Valeria Fappani and Blanca Marabini San Martín
Meet the new commissioners who will shape the EU’s interactions with China for the next five years.
India’s Technology Engagement Strategy: Beyond the Quad
By Trisha Ray
While India's tech engagements may seem transactional and at times contradictory, they are deeply pragmatic, which is what makes it an attractive partner.
The Long Game: Understanding US and China’s Theories of Victory
By Ngo Di Lan
By examining how the U.S. and China perceive the nature of their contest and plot their paths to success, we can better anticipate the trajectory of this competition.
The Philippines Should Take Note: ‘Assertive Transparency’ Is Not a Strategy
By Vincent Kyle Parada
Faced with a country indifferent to reputational costs, Manila’s campaign to illuminate China’s gray-zone activities in the South China Sea is producing diminishing returns.
Russia and China in the Arctic: Less Than Meets the Eye
By Nicolas Jouan, Zdenek Rod, and Martin Ruzicka
Friendly rhetoric hides distrust and competition between an ambitious Beijing and a Moscow jealous of its Arctic prerogative.
A Philippine Withdrawal Hardly Marks the End of the South China Sea Clash
By Sarang Shidore
The challenge for the various parties is to insulate the China-Philippines tussle from broader regional and global tensions.
Silicon Shield 2.0: A Taiwan Perspective
By Wu Jieh-min
Does Taiwan’s leading position in the semiconductor industry, often referred to as the “Silicon Shield,” actually protect it, or does it increase the risks Taiwan faces?