By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Trump's Fulbright Cuts Signal Collapse of US Soft Power in Asia
President Trump's budget proposes slashing Fulbright by 80% in its 80th year. The program's shift toward Indian-American grantees and reject
NATO's Core Mission: Guarding Against Russia, Not Appeasing Trump
NATO's central mission is deterring Russia, not appeasing the United States under Donald Trump. European members have leverage through US ba
Iran's Strait of Hormuz Toll Plan Faces Legal and Practical Hurdles
Iran's plan to impose permanent tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz is legally untenable under international law and practically
US Navy's Repair Weakness Risks Losing Pacific War to China
A RAND wargame shows the US Navy cannot repair battle-damaged destroyers in the Indo-Pacific. Shortages of technicians, spare parts, and all
US-Iran Ceasefire: The Real Danger Is What the Deal Leaves Out
The US-Iran ceasefire agreement ends immediate hostilities but leaves critical issues unresolved. Nuclear proliferation, Hezbollah's status,
Trump's Iran Ceasefire: A Deferred Crisis That Reshapes Asian Energy Security
The US-Iran ceasefire signed June 17 is a deferred crisis, not a resolution. Iran's leverage from the Strait of Hormuz closure has won conce
US-Israel Alliance Shows Signs of Strain Amid Shifting Global Dynamics
The US-Israel relationship, long described as ironclad, is showing cracks due to diverging strategic interests. Historical patterns of Ameri
What Australia Can Learn from Iran's Wartime Strategy as a Middle Power
Iran has survived months of conflict with nuclear-armed Israel and the US, retaining control of its territory and industrial base. Middle po
China's Embrace of Myanmar's Junta Chief Exposes Limits of Influence
China's lavish welcome for Myanmar's coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in Beijing masked a strategic failure. Two flagship projects—the Kyaukphyu
Israel's Unchecked Aggression: A Crisis Beyond Netanyahu
Israel's military campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, along with settler violence in the West Bank, reflect a broader political culture o
US-Iran Deal Pauses War but Risks Return to Gray-Zone Conflict
The US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed at the G7 summit has paused open conflict but fails to resolve key issues. Analysts expect a
Washington's Memorandum Habit: Why Paper Peace Can't Erase History
Washington's approach to ending wars relies on comprehensive plans that treat documents as peace itself. The latest Iran memorandum offers a