By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Strait of Hormuz blockade could last until September, Trump says, as oil supply risks mount
President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz blockade could last until Labor Day, despite his optimism for a deal. Analysts warn that U.
Australia Trapped in AUKUS Bait-and-Switch as US Submarine Deal Shifts
The US has altered the AUKUS submarine deal, giving Australia three used Virginia-class boats instead of one new Block 6 vessel. Canberra's
Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: Why Asia's Security Forum Finally Mattered
The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore exposed a region in strategic flux. Defense ministers from 44 countries confronted a fraying secur
Pentagon Bars Reporters From Press Office, Citing Security Reclassification
The Pentagon has redesignated its press office as a classified facility, barring journalists from the space used for decades to meet public
Trump's Leaked Fury at Netanyahu: A Signal to Tehran and a Shift in US-Israel Ties
A heated phone call between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu was deliberately leaked to US media, revealing Trump calling the Israeli PM
AUKUS Submarine Shift Raises Questions About US Access to Australian Bases
The US decision to transfer three used Virginia-class submarines to Australia under AUKUS has sparked debate about whether the deal serves C
Israel's Lebanon Campaign: Repeating Failed Lessons of the Past
Israel's strategy to decouple its Lebanon front from the Iran war faces challenges as Hezbollah retains power. Historical occupations of sou
When National Security Becomes Market Logic: Asia's New Investment Reality
Japan halted South Korean firm MBK Partners' acquisition of Makino Milling Machine on security grounds. Similar moves in the UK and Netherla
Washington's Opportunity to Counter Chinese Influence in Solomon Islands
Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of USINDOPACOM, faces a strategic opening in Solomon Islands after a no-confidence vote ousted a pro-China premi
Somali Piracy Resurges Amid Iran Conflict, Threatening Indian Ocean Shipping
On April 26, armed men hijacked the Egyptian merchant vessel Sward near Garacad, Puntland. Two oil tankers and several dhows have also been
Trump's Abraham Accords Push Complicates Iran Peace Efforts
President Trump is tying any broader Iran peace settlement to Arab and Muslim countries recognizing Israel through the Abraham Accords. Paki
Taiwan's Calm Response to Trump-Xi Deal-Making Highlights Strategic Confidence
Taiwan has shown remarkable calm amid global worries that the Trump-Xi summit could trade away its future. The island's long experience with