By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mocks Trump's Strait of Hormuz Toll Plan
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi mocked President Trump's plan to charge a 20% fee for guarding the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi
Ukraine's Demographic Collapse Dashes Hopes for an Ethnically Pure State
Ukraine's population has plummeted to 22-25 million, with only 6-9 million working-age adults. Kyiv now openly calls for mass migration, und
Why US Military Force Alone Cannot Secure the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's attacks on Gulf vessels in Omani waters have triggered a new cycle of US-Iran escalation. Washington's reliance on punitive airstrike
Ukraine's Drone Campaign Turns Sea of Azov Into a Strategic Battleground
Ukraine has escalated drone strikes on Russian-controlled vessels in the Sea of Azov, targeting oil tankers, tugs, and cargo ships. The camp
How Washington's Strategic Muddle Turned the Iran War Into a Quagmire
The US-Iran ceasefire, built on wishful thinking, has broken down as renewed airstrikes hit Bahrain and Kuwait. The weak framework deferred
Assassinating Iran's Supreme Leader Backfires as Hardliners Tighten Grip
The killing of Iran's supreme leader and his family was meant to trigger a popular revolt. Instead, it galvanized a hardline succession, ren
Why Western Sanctions on Russia Keep Backfiring: A Misreading of Society
Western sanctions and isolation have failed to shift Russia's war stance because they misread the popular foundation of Putin's government.
Canada's German Submarine Deal Reflects NATO Priorities Over Pacific Ties
Canada chose Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for 12 new submarines, favoring NATO alignment over South Korea's combat-proven KSS-III.
China's Fujian Carrier Deploys Anti-Torpedo System to Counter US Submarine Threat
China's newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is likely equipped with an active anti-torpedo torpedo system, a first for any carrier. The mov
Operation Hard Ball: US Indicts Indian Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in Sikh Activist Killing
US prosecutors unsealed indictments against 37 defendants linked to India-based criminal networks, including Lawrence Bishnoi, for the 2023
Ukraine's Drone Campaign Turns Russia's Oil Wealth Into a Strategic Liability
Ukraine's long-range drone strikes have hit all ten of Russia's largest oil refineries, crippling fuel production and causing shortages. The
Australia-Fiji Defense Pact Reshapes Pacific Security Dynamics Against China
Australia and Fiji have signed a defense pact that formalizes a mutual security commitment, marking a strategic shift in Pacific geopolitics