By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
US and China Diverge on Military Vaccination: Two Armies, Two Theories of the Body
The US Defense Department has made flu shots voluntary for service members, breaking a 1945-era mandate. China's PLA continues routine mass
Iran War Reopens Old Gulf Rifts and Spurs New Rivalries Among Arab States
The UAE's decision to leave OPEC signals more than oil policy frustration. The Iran war has widened rifts between Gulf states, reviving terr
The Donroe Doctrine Is Becoming Everything China Feared
Washington's campaign to evict Chinese port operators from Panama and secure lithium access in Bolivia signals a new, aggressive maritime st
61% of Americans Now View Trump's Iran War as a Mistake, Poll Finds
A new poll reveals 61% of Americans view Trump's Iran war as a mistake, a level of disapproval that took years to reach for Iraq and Vietnam
Kremlin Faces Growing Calls to Intensify Ukraine Offensive as War Fatigue Mounts
Russian President Vladimir Putin faces mounting pressure from nationalist factions and military leaders to escalate the conflict in Ukraine.
Gulf States' Fragile Alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz Under War Stress
The Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut, with vessel traffic at a fraction of pre-war levels. Bypass pipelines provide 3.5-5.5 million bar
US Wars Since 1950 Killed 4.5 Million Civilians, Cost $5.7 Trillion
Major US wars since 1950 have directly killed nearly 4.5 million civilians and cost over $5.7 trillion. The Iran War alone has cost an estim
Taiwan's KMT Chairwoman Cheng Faces Skeptical US Audience After Beijing Talks
KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun plans a June US visit to explain her cross-Strait approach, but faces skepticism over her pro-Beijing views and
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