By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Iran's Veteran Negotiators Outclass US Rookies in Nuclear Talks
Iran's nuclear negotiating team, with decades of experience, has outmaneuvered a US delegation led by real-estate developers and venture cap
US Military's Costly Dilemma: Million-Dollar Missiles vs. Iran's Cheap Drones
The US military is expending missiles worth over $1 million to intercept Iranian drones costing as little as $20,000. This unsustainable cos
Geographic Leverage: How the Strait of Hormuz Reshapes Global Power Dynamics
Iran's ability to threaten the Strait of Hormuz has shifted the balance in its standoff with the US, highlighting the power of geographic le
Trump's Iran Campaign: A Pyrrhic Victory in the Making?
President Donald Trump has claimed victory in the Iran war, but the conflict's aftermath may leave the US in a weaker strategic position. Ir
Taiwan's KMT Offers US a Diplomatic Off-Ramp from Cross-Strait Conflict
Taiwan's Kuomintang opposition leader Cheng Li-wun met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, proposing cooperation over confrontation. Th
US Navy's Next-Gen Fighter Competition Tests Carrier Aviation's Future Against China
The US Navy will select a builder for its next-generation F/A-XX carrier-based fighter in August. The program is central to maintaining the
US and China Compete to Build Fusion Energy Supply Chains, Forcing European Choice
The strategic rivalry between the United States and China has expanded into the race for fusion energy, a potential source of limitless clea
US Counterterrorism Strategy in Flux Amid Rising Threats and Asian Security Concerns
A series of domestic attacks in March has highlighted US counterterrorism vulnerabilities. White House adviser Sebastian Gorka has repeatedl
China's Drone-Launched Mines Could Encircle Taiwan and Entangle US Forces
China's military is developing a strategy to deploy autonomous underwater drones for offensive minelaying in key regional sea lanes. The pla
India's INS Aridhaman Submarine Bolsters Credible Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrent
India has commissioned its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman, advancing its sea-based nuclear deterrent. The
Ukraine's Ground Robots Capture Russian Position in Historic First
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that ground robots captured a Russian position, a first in the war. The milestone highlight
Iran Rejects New Talks with US, Citing Trump's 'Erratic' Threats and Naval Confrontation
Iran has declared it will not negotiate with the US, labeling President Trump's behavior as 'erratic' following his threat to destroy the co