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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.
Taking Stock of the South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group
By Hely Desai
The new mechanism is supposed to provide reassurance over the credibility of the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
PM Anwar Says Malaysia Will Not Halt Oil and Gas Exploration in South China Sea
By Sebastian Strangio
The PM's comments came after the publication of a leaked Chinese diplomatic note ordering the country to cease exploration activities in the South China Sea.
The Danger of Distrust on the Iran-Pakistan Border
By Seamus Duffy
Looking for a culprit, there is a real possibility that Pakistan may view counterterrorism cooperation with Iran with increasing suspicion.
Peacemaker vs Peacemaker: India and China’s Diplomatic Duel Over Ukraine
By Amey Velangi
For both India and China, positioning themselves as successful peacemakers is not just about resolving the Ukraine crisis; it’s also about enhancing their global credibility as emergent powers.
Measuring the Depth of India’s Space Program
By Namrata Goswami
Where India’s matrix on space power takes the hardest hit is the lack of strategic clarity regarding the “why” of its space policies.
The Threat of Insurgency in India’s Assam Continues
By Sanjay Sarmah
A bomb threat from ULFA-I suggests the rebel group is making the most of chaos in nearby Bangladesh and Myanmar to advance its own goals in Assam.
Could Mpox Become Established in the Indo-Pacific?
By Vinod Balasubramaniam
While the Indo-Pacific has been one of the regions least affected by mpox in the past, that could change if the virus spreads unchecked.
1 Year On: Evaluating the Impact of the Camp David Summit on Japan-South Korea-US Relations
By Jihoon Yu
What progress has been made on implementing the summit's outcomes, and what are the implications for future trilateral cooperation?
The Next Step for Japan-South Korea-US Security Cooperation: An Alternative to the UN Panel of Experts
By Kyung-joo Jeon and Bee Yun Jo
Now that Russia has killed the U.N.’s mechanism for reporting on North Korea sanctions enforcement, the trilateral should craft an alternative.
China Advances Its Space Capabilities, Enlarging Its Strategic Advantage
By Namrata Goswami
From new mega-constellations of satellites to its successful lunar missions, China's emphasis on its space program is paying strategic dividends.
The Strategic Imperative for South Korea’s Nuclear Armament
By Lakhvinder Singh
A signature campaign in support of South Korea developing its own nuclear weapons represents a profound shift in policy, driven by doubts about U.S. extended deterrence.
Philippines Protests Chinese Air Force Jets’ Firing of Flares in the Path of Patrol Plane
By Jim Gomez
The encounter over Scarborough Shoal was the first aerial run-in since high-seas hostilities between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea started to flare last year.