By Huang Wei
Covers the PLA, the South China Sea, regional defense spending and the emerging security architecture of the Indo-Pacific.
Russia's Submarine Pitch in Asia Faces Sanctions and Competition
Russia unveils the Amur-1650 submarine with vertical launch systems at Fleet 2026, targeting Asian buyers. However, Western sanctions, India
The $20,000 Drone vs. the Superpower: Cost Asymmetry Reshapes Warfare
A $20,000 Shahed drone can force a $2 million missile response, draining superpower resources. Ukraine's 2025 'Spiderweb' operation hit five
Why Trump Pulled Back from Renewed War with Iran: Strategic Calculus Over Diplomacy
Trump called off a third night of strikes on Iran, citing progress in negotiations. But the real reasons lie in the prohibitive costs of war
US Precision Bombing of Iran Water Facilities Raises War Crime Questions
US airstrikes destroyed two water reservoirs in Bemani, Iran, cutting off drinking water for 20,000 residents. The New York Times analysis i
US-Iran Airstrikes Risk Derailing Fragile Ceasefire as Regional Conflicts Deepen
The US launched airstrikes across Iran after Tehran downed a US helicopter, escalating tensions despite ongoing peace talks. Israel's milita
No Military Solution Exists for the Middle East's Enduring Crisis
Military escalation has failed to bring stability to the Middle East. The collapse of the JCPOA and subsequent conflicts highlight the need
Ex-CIA Disguise Chief Warns AI Is Transforming Espionage and Deception
Jonna Mendez, former CIA chief of disguise, warns that AI is elevating espionage by enabling synthetic identities and deepfakes. She highlig
US Blacklists Chinese Tech Giants While Deepening Its Own Military-AI Ties
The US has added Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD to its list of Chinese military-linked firms, restricting their access to US defense contracts. Mea
Vienna's Enduring Role as a Global Spy Hub Outshines Hong Kong and Bangkok
The trial of Austrian ex-intelligence officer Egisto Ott highlights Vienna's deep history of espionage, from Cold War tunnels to modern Russ
Israel Strikes Iran Hours After Trump Urged Restraint, Escalating Regional Crisis
Israel launched airstrikes on Iran hours after US President Donald Trump urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate against an
Taiwan Accelerates Indigenous Missile Buildup as US Arms Reliability Falters
Taiwan plans to stockpile over 1,800 anti-ship missiles by early 2029, including 400 US-made Harpoons and 1,000 domestic Hsiung Feng variant
Why Australia Is Buying Used US Nuclear Submarines: A Stopgap for an Aging Fleet
Australia will buy three used US Virginia-class submarines to bridge a capability gap as its Collins-class fleet ages. The deal is part of A