By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Balkan history warns against heritage obsession
The Balkans' violent breakup shows the dangers of ethnic nationalism. A US faction's 'heritage' focus echoes these divisions. EU integration
Putin's Scorched-City Strategy Devastates Ukraine
Russia's latest wave of strikes on Kyiv and other cities has killed over 100 civilians, reviving the 'Grozny model' of urban destruction. An
When AI takes control of weapons systems, the risks multiply
AI is being integrated into military systems across the Indo-Pacific, promising speed but raising profound risks. As autonomous agents act i
US and China compete for Gulf AI dominance as war reshapes alliances
China's AI and digital infrastructure investments in the Gulf are colliding with a larger US presence. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are hedging,
Pulling B-1s from UK won't end drone threat to US bases
The US moved its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford back to Ellsworth AFB over drone attack fears. But domestic bases face similar incursions, an
China's Belt and Road foothold in Laos signals military expansion
New satellite images show Chinese jets at a half-finished runway in Laos, hinting at Beijing's first full military base in Southeast Asia. A
Israel's fifth election in six years: same arithmetic, same deadlock
Israel's October 27 election is unlikely to break the political deadlock, as polls show the country still split nearly evenly between Netany
Yemen's renewed civil war risks igniting a wider regional conflict
Yemen's civil war is escalating as Houthi forces gain ground, prompting Saudi Arabia to seek new military allies. The conflict risks drawing
Trump's Iran joke about bombing California draws sharp backlash
President Trump joked that Iranian strikes on Los Angeles and San Diego would be a small price to pay, drawing fury from Californians. The r
Trump's Iran remark sparks fury in California cities
President Trump said he would 'let' Iran strike Los Angeles and San Diego, calling it a 'small price to pay.' California leaders condemned t
Sustaining Northeast Asia's trilateral deterrence: the logistics gap
US, South Korea, and Japan have made strides in trilateral security cooperation, but deterrence hinges on logistics. A key gap: no mutual lo
Indonesia's military buildup is just the beginning of a long modernization
Indonesia has embarked on its most ambitious military modernization in decades, acquiring Rafale jets, new warships, and submarines. But the