Region
East Asia

NATO Summit Takes Aim at China
By Shannon Tiezzi
The Vilnius communique had a greatly expanded criticism of China, but there are still concerns about how far to go in confronting Beijing.

China-based Hackers Breached Government and Individual Email Accounts, Microsoft Says
By Zen Soo
Microsoft said a group, dubbed Storm-0558, gained access to email accounts linked to 25 organizations, including Western European government agencies.

How North Korea’s Fighter Fleet Re-emerged From Obscurity
By A.B. Abrams
Pyongyang’s threats to respond to alleged airspace violations evoke the history of air battles with the United States.

North Korea Fires Its First ICBM in 3 Months
By Hyung-jin Kim and Mari Yamaguchi
North Korea may have launched a Hwasong-18 ICBM, its most powerful nuclear-capable missile.

China Begins Lithium Extraction, Increases Mining Investment in Bolivia
By Joseph Bouchard
Beijing's growing investment presence in the country, in particular its interest in lithium, is prompting concerns about economic dependency.

Hong Kong Will Ban More Products From Japan If Treated Wastewater Is Discharged, Leader Says
By Kanis Leung
Chief Executive John Lee said in a press briefing that his government would err on the side of caution amid the unprecedented planned release of wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant.

China Says Its Foreign Minister Is Ill. A Senior Diplomat Will Take His Place at ASEAN Summit
By Associated Press
It’s unclear what exactly is wrong with Qin Gang, who has missed several crucial diplomatic events in the past month.

China’s Transition From the Belt and Road to the Global Development Initiative
By Lunting Wu
China is transitioning from one major global project to another. How are they different?

Japan Takes Another Step Toward Expanding Defense Exports
By Mina Pollmann
The LDP-Komeito coalition is working to overcome internal differences on loosening the existing restrictions.

North Korea Unsettles Kishida Government
By ISOZAKI Atsuhito
Tokyo has been left puzzled by some recent moves from Pyongyang.

Solomon Islands PM Visits China, 1 Year After Controversial Security Pact
By Shannon Tiezzi and Associated Press
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is on his second trip to China – and his first since upending Pacific geopolitics with a China-Solomons security agreement.

South Korea’s Yoon Pushes for Strong Resolve Against North’s Nuclear Ambitions at NATO Summit
By Hyung-jin Kim
Yoon Suk-yeol will attend the annual NATO summit being held this year in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12 as part of a two-nation trip that includes a stop in Poland.