By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Trump's 'Next Conquest' Rhetoric Stirs Global Tensions as Iran Conflict Stalls
President Donald Trump has declared the U.S. military is eyeing its 'next conquest,' even as a fragile ceasefire with Iran fails to reopen t
US JASSM-ER Diversion to Iran Strains Pacific Deterrence Against China
The US has committed roughly two-thirds of its JASSM-ER cruise missile inventory to operations in Iran, leaving only about 425 missiles glob
China Uses Iran Conflict as AI Warfare Lab Against US
Chinese tech firms are marketing AI tools to track US military movements in the Middle East, supporting Iran's targeting. This creates a den
Japan's 12,000-Ton Aegis Ships: Strategic Deterrent or High-Value Targets?
Japan's two new 12,000-ton Aegis ships, with 128 vertical launch cells, aim to bolster ballistic missile defense. Critics warn they may beco
Trump Declares Iran War Nears End, Vows 'Extremely Hard' Final Phase
President Trump announced the US military campaign in Iran is concluding, but pledged 'extremely hard' strikes in the coming weeks. The conf
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Refineries Challenge US Energy Strategy and Global Markets
Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted major Russian oil refineries, including the Slavneft-YANOS facility in Yaroslavl. The attacks have rep
Disputed Missile Counts Fuel US-Iran Tensions, Echoing Historical Arms Deception
Public estimates of Iran's ballistic missile arsenal vary wildly, with US and Israeli assessments differing by thousands. The opacity surrou
Pakistan's Mediation Bid Driven by Internal Pressures and Regional Instability
Pakistan is being projected as a mediator in the Middle East conflict, but its role stems from strategic necessity rather than diplomatic st
Why Washington Hesitates to Force Open the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's targeting of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global energy flows. A former Royal Australian Navy officer out
The Ghost of Suez Haunts Trump's War on Iran
The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February 2026, just as nuclear talks neared a breakthrough. The parallels to the 1956 Suez Cri
US Ground Invasion of Iran Looms as Trump Weighs 'Final Blow' Options
The Trump administration is reportedly weighing options for a massive escalation in Iran, including invading Kharg Island and seizing enrich
Cape Route Emerges as New Normal for Global Shipping After Hormuz Closure
Armed attacks on Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have forced shipping lines to reroute around Africa. The Cape sea r