By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Hormuz Blockade Raises Stakes Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
A US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has escalated Persian Gulf tensions, directly challenging China's oil imports from Iran. The div
Lee Jae-myung's India Visit Tests a Strategic Partnership at a Crossroads
President Lee Jae-myung's three-day visit to India marks a critical moment for bilateral ties amid shifting regional dynamics. The partnersh
Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz Following Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire, US Maintains Naval Blockade
Iran announced the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping following a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Former
Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire: Fragile Truce Masks Ongoing Conflict and Hormuz Tensions
Israel announced a ten-day ceasefire with Lebanon after weeks of bombardments that killed over 2,000 people. Iran declared the Strait of Hor
US Congressional Probe Targets Jared Kushner's Gulf Investments and Diplomatic Role
A senior US Democrat has launched a sweeping investigation into Jared Kushner's financial ties to Gulf sovereign wealth funds. The probe cen
Russia Threatens European Drone Suppliers to Ukraine, Raising Escalation Fears
Russia's Security Council deputy chair Dmitry Medvedev warned that European companies producing drones for Ukraine are now potential militar
Beyond the Headlines: Why Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Fails to Guarantee Peace
A ten-day ceasefire has been announced following weeks of Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon that killed over 2,000 and displaced one m
US Drone Incursions Surge: Cartels, Hezbollah Ties, and Military Gaps
In 2025, the US tracked 34,000 drone incursions along the southern border, a sharp increase from 2024. Mexican cartels, linked to Hezbollah,
Trans-Himalayan Cities Face Existential Climate Threat, Demand Unique Net-Zero Strategy
Cities across the Trans-Himalayan arc face warming rates far exceeding global averages, threatening their very habitability. Achieving net-z
Declassified Files Reveal Kennedy's CIA Overhaul Plans After Bay of Pigs Failure
Declassified memos show President John F. Kennedy considered restructuring the CIA after the 1961 Bay of Pigs failure. A secret 1961 meeting
Russia's Telegram Crackdown Risks Destabilizing Its Domestic Information Space
Russia is intensifying its control over Telegram and social media to manage domestic narratives ahead of potential new war mobilization. Thi
Trump Administration Seeks 43% Defense Budget Increase, Sparking Bipartisan Scrutiny
White House Budget Director Russ Vought defended a request for a 43% increase in defense spending, calling it necessary for 'paradigm-shifti