By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Turkey Emerges as Iran War's Strategic Winner Without Firing a Shot
Turkey's calculated neutrality in the Iran war has elevated its regional standing. Ankara now mediates between Tehran and Washington, gains
Trump's Golden Dome Missile Shield: A False Promise Against Modern Threats
US homeland missile defenses are structurally inadequate against modern threats. The Trump administration's Golden Dome project faces severe
Bangladesh's Persistent Denial of Militancy Threat Undermines Security
A December explosion at a Dhaka madrasa revealed bomb-making materials, yet some dismissed it as staged. Police warnings of militant plots f
Orbán's Defeat Unlocks EU Loan, Shifting Momentum to Ukraine
Hungary's Viktor Orbán lost re-election on April 12, allowing a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine to proceed. The funding supports Ukraine's e
NPT Review Conference Faces Existential Crisis as Nuclear Arms Race Accelerates
The NPT review conference opens in New York amid a worsening nuclear arms race. Russia's weaponization of nuclear facilities in Ukraine and
Iranian FM Leaves Islamabad as Trump Cancels Envoys' Trip, Casting Doubt on Diplomacy
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad after conveying Tehran's position on ending the US war. President Trump canceled a pl
Exiled Russians Build Transnational Resistance Network Against Kremlin
Exiled Russian activists have built transnational networks to support political prisoners, run independent media, and help people escape mob
Hegseth Defends Iran War as 'Gift to the World' Amid Global Oil and Food Crisis
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the Iran war as a 'gift to the world,' despite a $60 billion cost and global supply shocks. Asian
US Special Forces Soldier Charged for Insider Betting on Maduro Abduction
Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke was arrested for betting over $400,000 on the timing of the US operation to kidnap Venezuelan President
US Navy's Drone Swarm Strategy: A High-Stakes Bet Against China in the Indo-Pacific
The US Navy aims to field thousands of unmanned surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific by 2030, part of a strategy to counter China. Analysts d
Why Trump Must Finish the Job Against Iran's Regime
Trump's pause in hostilities against Iran leaves the regime intact, risking future aggression. The Strait of Hormuz blockade is a strategic
Middle East Conflict: A War No One Can Win as Iran and US-Israel Stalemate Deepens
The US-Israel-Iran conflict is no longer moving toward a decisive conclusion. Iran's strategy of endurance and entanglement has created a st