By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
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
NPT Review Conference Faces Existential Crisis as Nuclear Arms Race Accelerates
The NPT review conference opens in New York amid a worsening nuclear arms race. Russia's weaponization of nuclear facilities in Ukraine and
Iranian FM Leaves Islamabad as Trump Cancels Envoys' Trip, Casting Doubt on Diplomacy
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad after conveying Tehran's position on ending the US war. President Trump canceled a pl
Exiled Russians Build Transnational Resistance Network Against Kremlin
Exiled Russian activists have built transnational networks to support political prisoners, run independent media, and help people escape mob