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Newsroom · Politics & Diplomacy

By Kenji Watanabe

Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.

278 published stories
China's New Naval Gun Targets Taiwan's Defenses with Record Range
Security

China's New Naval Gun Targets Taiwan's Defenses with Record Range

China's new 155mm naval gun, the largest caliber in active service, can strike targets up to 200 km away. It aims to provide cost-effective

Japan's Defense Overhaul Gains Urgency as LDP Proposes Major Military Expansion
Security

Japan's Defense Overhaul Gains Urgency as LDP Proposes Major Military Expansion

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has endorsed a comprehensive defense review calling for expanded missile capabilities, nuclear-powered subm

Kissinger's Dark Joke Realized as US-Israel-Iran War Ends in Stalemate
Security

Kissinger's Dark Joke Realized as US-Israel-Iran War Ends in Stalemate

After months of conflict, the US, Israel, and Iran agree to a ceasefire framework in Switzerland. All three sides have failed to achieve the

Counter-Drone Tech Surges as Ukraine, Iran, and Hezbollah Redefine Aerial Threats
Security

Counter-Drone Tech Surges as Ukraine, Iran, and Hezbollah Redefine Aerial Threats

Ukraine's Sting interceptor drone, costing $2,100, claims a 95% success rate against Russian Geran 2 drones. Iran has launched up to 1,500 d

Israel Strikes Beirut as US-Iran Deal Nears, Raising Sabotage Fears
Security

Israel Strikes Beirut as US-Iran Deal Nears, Raising Sabotage Fears

Israel bombed Beirut's southern suburbs on Sunday, killing at least three people, as US and Iranian officials voiced optimism about a pendin

India's Great Nicobar Base Challenges China's Malacca Strait Dependence
Security

India's Great Nicobar Base Challenges China's Malacca Strait Dependence

India is constructing a multi-billion-dollar air and sea base on Great Nicobar Island, just 175 kilometers from the Strait of Malacca. The p

Trump Suggests Ground Invasion to Seize Iran's Kharg Island Oil Hub
Security

Trump Suggests Ground Invasion to Seize Iran's Kharg Island Oil Hub

President Donald Trump has threatened to seize Iran's Kharg Island, handling 90% of its crude exports, to gain control of oil markets. Exper

China's New South China Sea Moves Strain Regional Ties
Security

China's New South China Sea Moves Strain Regional Ties

China placed large objects in Scarborough Shoal, escalating a long-standing dispute with the Philippines. Beijing also dispatched vessels ea

Trump's Cuba Policy: Economic Strangulation or Genocide?
Politics

Trump's Cuba Policy: Economic Strangulation or Genocide?

The Trump administration has escalated the decades-old US embargo on Cuba, cutting off fuel, remittances, and tourism. Critics argue this am

Saudi Public Opinion Divided on Military Action Against Iran
Security

Saudi Public Opinion Divided on Military Action Against Iran

A rare survey of Saudi nationals shows 49% support strikes on Iranian missile sites, while 51% oppose. Three-quarters favor a stronger US re

Could Russia's War in Ukraine Trigger Political Change in Moscow?
Security

Could Russia's War in Ukraine Trigger Political Change in Moscow?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has argued that Russia is losing the initiative daily. Historical precedent shows that Russian politi

Iran May Prolong Crisis to Humiliate US, Echoing 1979 Hostage Strategy
Security

Iran May Prolong Crisis to Humiliate US, Echoing 1979 Hostage Strategy

Iran's Islamic regime is using a strategy of delay and defiance, similar to the 1979 hostage crisis, to outlast US President Donald Trump an