By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Trump's Taiwan Remark Exposes US Strategic Gap in Asia
Trump called Taiwan a 'place' and said he is 'neutral' on its security. The remark exposes the US strategic gap in the First Island Chain. B
China's Missile Expansion Reshapes Taiwan Contingency Planning
China's missile production has accelerated sharply, with 81 listed firms supplying components in 2025. The PLA Rocket Force arsenal grew by
AI Governance Goes Live: From Pentagon Targeting to Virtual Ministers
The US Pentagon's Maven system processed over 5,000 targeting recommendations daily during the Iran conflict. Albania has appointed a virtua
Bangladesh's $2.8 Billion Padma Barrage: A Bet on Self-Sufficiency as Ganges Treaty Nears Expiry
Bangladesh has approved the $2.8 billion Padma Barrage to store monsoon water, a tacit admission that diplomacy with India has failed to sec
Antiwar Coalition Urges Congress to Push Trump for China Peace
A coalition of antiwar groups, including Just Foreign Policy and Win Without War, urges Congress to press President Trump for peaceful US-Ch
How a Multilateral Push Can Reopen the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked amid US-Iran tensions, disrupting global energy supplies. A coalition of Asian and European nations cou
USS Doris Miller Delay Signals Deeper Strain in US Carrier Power Projection
The USS Doris Miller aircraft carrier faces a two-year delay, extending its build time to 15 years. This exposes US shipyard inefficiencies
Qatar's Strategic Ambiguity: A Feature, Not a Bug, of US Policy
The US debate over whether Qatar is friend or foe obscures a more useful question: what is the bargain, and is it worth the cost? Qatar host
Trump-Xi Summit: A Chance to Reshape Nuclear Stability in Beijing
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing amid a crumbling global arms control system. A bilateral understa
Trump Fumes at Media Over Leaked Intel Showing Iran's Military Resilience
US intelligence reports show Iran has restored access to most missile sites and retains 70% of prewar missile stockpiles. President Trump la
Hormuz Blockade Shatters Asia's Growth Model, Exposing Energy Dependency
The Strait of Hormuz blockade has sent oil past $120/barrel and LNG prices up 140%, crippling Asian manufacturing. The crisis reveals Asia's
Trump Justice Department Subpoenas Journalists Over Iran War Coverage
The US Justice Department subpoenaed The Wall Street Journal and other news outlets for records of journalists covering the Iran war. Presid