By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Qatar's Strategic Ambiguity: A Feature, Not a Bug, of US Policy
The US debate over whether Qatar is friend or foe obscures a more useful question: what is the bargain, and is it worth the cost? Qatar host
Trump-Xi Summit: A Chance to Reshape Nuclear Stability in Beijing
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing amid a crumbling global arms control system. A bilateral understa
Trump Fumes at Media Over Leaked Intel Showing Iran's Military Resilience
US intelligence reports show Iran has restored access to most missile sites and retains 70% of prewar missile stockpiles. President Trump la
Hormuz Blockade Shatters Asia's Growth Model, Exposing Energy Dependency
The Strait of Hormuz blockade has sent oil past $120/barrel and LNG prices up 140%, crippling Asian manufacturing. The crisis reveals Asia's
Trump Justice Department Subpoenas Journalists Over Iran War Coverage
The US Justice Department subpoenaed The Wall Street Journal and other news outlets for records of journalists covering the Iran war. Presid
Why Washington Must Prioritize Deterrence in the North Pacific
The North Pacific is a critical but neglected theater linking US homeland defense and Indo-Pacific deterrence. Russia and China are exploiti
Iran Calls Its Counteroffer 'Reasonable' After Trump Rejects Nuclear Deal Proposal
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei called Tehran's counteroffer 'reasonable and generous' after President Trump rejected it
Pakistan's Fatah-3 Missile Could Extend Chinese Reach to Gulf
Pakistan unveiled the Fatah-3 supersonic cruise missile, its first operational system of this type, potentially narrowing India's BrahMos ad
Trump-Xi Summit Reflects US Strategic Drift, Not China's Ambition
The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing highlights US strategic drift in the Indo-Pacific, not China's rising ambition. Regional allies face transact
When the World's Greatest Power Can't Win: The Iran Lesson for Asia
The US confrontation with Iran reveals a paradox: military supremacy without political victory. This has reshaped calculations from Beijing
Ukraine War Strains Putin's Grip as Public Complaints Mount
Russia's inability to secure a quick victory in Ukraine has sparked unusually harsh public criticism of President Vladimir Putin's leadershi
Iran Uses Petroyuan Tariffs in Strait of Hormuz to Reshape Global Energy Trade
Iran is introducing tariffs in Chinese yuan for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, potentially generating $40-50 billion annually. Thi