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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.
China’s Ambivalence on the North Korea-Russia Security Alignment
By Wooyeal Paik
There are both pros and cons for Beijing as Russia and North Korea expand their arms trade and strategic cooperation.
India’s Growing Involvement in the South China Sea Disputes
By Nian Peng
New Delhi has been offering military aid and more supportive rhetoric to China's rival claimants, but there are clear limits to its involvement in the disputes.
Rare Earths and Geopolitics: An Increasingly Messy Mix
By Tobias Burgers and Scott N. Romaniuk
A narrative has emerged suggesting that China possesses a willingness to leverage its control over REMs to punish nations over disagreements in the political arena.
Japan-South Korea Cooperation Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict Proves Benefits of Trilateral With US
By Evan Wright and Jessica A. Guarini
Coordination on evacuations of their citizens from the Middle East is a seemingly small but symbolically significant step for Tokyo and Seoul.
Israel’s Assault on Gaza Echoes the British Raj’s Response to the Revolt of 1857
By Bilal Ahmad Tantray
From Delhi in 1857 to Gaza in 2023, the colonial playbook remains largely unchanged.
Bifurcation in the Critical Minerals Market Could Throw off the Global Energy Transition
By Xunpeng Shi and Yifan Shen
The securitization of critical minerals could divide the world, leading to severe consequences for the energy transition and undermining global climate change efforts.
Global Competition for AI Regulation, or a Framework for AI Diplomacy?
By Charles Mok
As the U.S., EU and China are taking divergent leads in new AI regulations, a new framework for AI diplomacy is emerging, all under the shadow of strategic technological competition.
North Korea’s Nuclear Buildup Means Mutually Assured Destruction, Not Coercion
By Denny Roy
North Koreans have reasons to believe a large and highly survivable nuclear arsenal is necessary to deter the United States from attacking their country.
How Asia-Pacific States Voted on the UN’s Israel-Palestine Resolution
By Shannon Tiezzi
Like the rest of the world, most Asia-Pacific states supported the resolution, making the exceptions especially interesting.
Deciphering the Changing Contours of the China-US Chip War
By Megha Shrivastava
The latest U.S. restrictions on China's semiconductor industry aim to plug loopholes, but will create new ones in turn.
Russian Defense Minister Uses Stage at Chinese Military Forum to Accuse US of Fueling Tensions
By Simina Mistreanu
Sergei Shoigu also accused NATO of trying to expand its footprint in the Asia-Pacific under the pretense of seeking dialogue and collaboration with regional countries.
US Military Says Chinese Fighter Jet Came Within 10 Feet of B-52 Bomber Over South China Sea
By David Rising
In the night intercept, the Shenyang J-11 twin-engine fighter closed on the U.S. Air Force plane at an "uncontrolled excessive speed… putting both aircraft in danger of a collision.”