By Huang Wei
Covers the PLA, the South China Sea, regional defense spending and the emerging security architecture of the Indo-Pacific.
USAID's Demise Leaves Indo-Pacific Allies Scrambling for Coordination
The US dismantling of USAID after 60 years disrupts development coordination across the Indo-Pacific. Allies such as Japan, South Korea, and
US Army Accelerates Anti-Ship Missile for Pacific Deterrence Against China
The US Army is accelerating development of a Precision Strike Missile variant to target ships at 1,000 km. Production constraints and launch
US Military Failures in Iran War: Lessons Unlearned for Asia's Security
US lost two AWACS aircraft and three F-15s to friendly fire in the Iran conflict. Chinese commercial satellites provided targeting data to I
Iran Warns Trump's Hormuz Plan Is Pretext for Escalation
Iran warns that Trump's Project Freedom is a pretext for escalation. Tehran reviews a 14-point peace plan amid heightened tensions in the St
West Asia's Old Security Order Collapses Under Weight of War and Mistrust
The old security order in West Asia is dead, undone by the Gaza war, Iran-Israel escalation, and Houthi attacks. Military power alone no lon
Iran War Cost to US Taxpayers Sparks Heated Debate Amid Estimates
Iran's foreign minister claims the US war on Iran has cost $100 billion, four times the Pentagon's official estimate. Independent analysts a
Pakistan's Hangor Submarines Deepen China Ties, Challenge India's Naval Dominance
Pakistan has commissioned its first Hangor-class submarine, built in China, as part of an eight-boat program to enhance underwater deterrenc
Japan-Australia Frigate Deal Cements New Defense Axis in Indo-Pacific
Japan and Australia signed the 'Mogami Memorandum' on April 18, 2026, for 11 next-generation frigates worth up to A$20 billion. The deal sig
Iran Conflict Exposes Diminishing Returns of US Economic Coercion
Two months into the US-Israel war against Iran, the conflict's stalemate highlights the declining effectiveness of US economic sanctions. Ir
US Weapons Depletion Drives Fragile Iran Ceasefire, Raising Questions for Asia
The US-Iran ceasefire announced April 7, 2026, came as the US military depleted critical missile stockpiles. Over 850 Tomahawk missiles and
Iran Conflict Strains Global Tungsten Supply, Exposing China's Dominance
The US-Israel conflict with Iran has driven a 12% increase in military tungsten use this year. China produces 80% of global tungsten and has
Strait of Malacca Emerges as Potential Flashpoint in Great-Power Rivalry
The Strait of Malacca, a vital chokepoint for global trade, is becoming a focal point of great-power competition. A new US-Indonesia defense