Japan

With 160,000 troops participating, the snap drills are Russia’s largest since the Soviet Union.

China’s state media wasted no time in offering withering criticism of Japan’s latest defense document.

The decision to nationalize the islands was driven by China’s rise and the fear this sparked in Japan.

To revive confidence and reduce the trade deficit, Abe has aggressively promoted Japan’s nuclear exports.

As the US Civil War shook North America, modern Asia began to take shape.

Asian states are responding to China’s rise as Realists would expect—by balancing internally and externally.

Plus, the U.S.-Philippines will hold a six-day military drill in the Scarborough Shoal. Wednesday diplomacy links.

Seoul and Tokyo will meet at the ASEAN Regional Forum. No inter-Korea talks are expected.

Although its focus remains the economy, Japan’s government has taken the first steps in reforming its security infrastructure.

Plus Ai Weiwei says that U.S. is behaving like China with domestic spying operations. Wednesday China links.

Plus, South Korea to build a “pre-emptive missile destruction system” by 2020. Wednesday security links.

Despite the rhetoric, little has been done since the Olympus scandal.