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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.
Japan and the Philippines Sign Defense Pact in the Face of Shared Alarm Over China
By Jim Gomez and Haruka Nuga
The Reciprocal Access Agreement allows Filipino and Japanese forces to enter the other’s territory for joint drills.
Why the Sino-Russian Partnership is a Nightmare for NATO
By Davide Borsani
The Sino-Russian strategic relationship partly led to NATO's creation, but Western leaders should avoid conflating ideological issues with strategic problems.
The Fallout of Russia’s Veto and Putin’s North Korea Visit
By Austin Wyatt
The impact of the fall of the UN Panel of Experts and how Australia should respond to Russia’s increasing closeness to North Korea.
Taiwan Says It Was Warned by China Not to Interfere in the Detention of Taiwanese Boat Crew
By Christopher Bodeen
A fishing boat and its crew members were taken from waters off the Taiwanese-controlled island of Kinmen just off the Chinese coast on Tuesday night.
Russia-North Korea Treaty Marks a Return to Normalcy
By Dan Gudgeon
We are witnessing a steady return to a web of relations previously regarded as normal after a recent, somewhat exceptional 30-year period.
China, Philippines Pledge to De-escalate Tensions in South China Sea
By Sebastian Strangio
The "frank and constructive discussions” came two weeks after a major clash close to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
The Past (and Future) of the Territorial Swap Offer in the China-India Border Dispute
By Ameya Pratap Singh
Twice, China and India had chances to settle their disputed border through a “package deal,” but domestic politics got in the way. Is such a solution still possible?
The China-Russia ‘Axis’ Is Overhyped
By Rahul Mishra and Yanitha Meena Louis
Both Indo-Pacific and BRICS+ dynamics deter such a possibility.
Parsing Asia Policy for France’s Radical Parties
By Valérie Niquet
If the National Rally or New Popular Front win in the upcoming polls, how will France’s approach to Asia – and particularly China – change?
Philippines Must ‘Do More’ on South China Sea, Marcos Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Will Manila request greater U.S. assistance in its ongoing stand-off with China at Second Thomas Shoal?
Counterterrorism in Af-Pak: Can the US ‘Do More’?
By Bantirani Patro
Recent signs suggest Washington is re-engaging with Pakistan's fight against terrorism. How far will the support go?
What South Korea Needs Post-Russia-North Korea Mutual Defense Treaty
By Jong Min Lee
In forging deeper strategic ties with Pyongyang, Russia has inadvertently tarnished one of the key touchstones of Moscow’s relations with Seoul.