By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Somali Piracy Resurges Amid Iran Conflict, Threatening Indian Ocean Shipping
On April 26, armed men hijacked the Egyptian merchant vessel Sward near Garacad, Puntland. Two oil tankers and several dhows have also been
Trump's Abraham Accords Push Complicates Iran Peace Efforts
President Trump is tying any broader Iran peace settlement to Arab and Muslim countries recognizing Israel through the Abraham Accords. Paki
Taiwan's Calm Response to Trump-Xi Deal-Making Highlights Strategic Confidence
Taiwan has shown remarkable calm amid global worries that the Trump-Xi summit could trade away its future. The island's long experience with
The Deep Roots of US-Russia Rivalry: From Alaska to Ukraine
The US-Russia relationship has been adversarial for centuries, not just since the Cold War. Early encounters in Alaska and the Pacific North
Shangri-La 2026: US Dominance, China's Retreat, India's Awakening
The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore reveals an unequal triangle: the US remains the dominant security provider, China downgrades its d
Trump's Push to Expand Abraham Accords Faces Insurmountable Hurdles
Donald Trump's push to expand the Abraham Accords faces widespread rejection from Middle Eastern leaders. The Gaza war and Iran tensions mak
Belgrade Doubles Down on Beijing as Budapest Reorients Toward Brussels
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's May 2026 state visit to Beijing solidified Belgrade's strategic alignment with China, signing over 20 a
Israeli Minister Says Cabinet Will Block Trump's Iran Peace Deal
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated the cabinet will not permit a US-Iran peace deal. New Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, violat
Trump's Abraham Accords Pitch Falls Flat in a Skeptical Middle East
Trump is pushing the Abraham Accords as a condition for any Iran deal, but regional trust is eroded. Saudi Arabia and others prioritize Pale
Pete Hegseth's Masculinity Crusade: A Desperate Search for Validation Through War
Pete Hegseth's eagerness for conflict with Iran reflects a deeper personal crisis. His military career, marked by failures in Afghanistan an
Iran Shoots Down US Reaper Drone After New American Strikes
Iran's military says it shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone after US forces launched self-defense strikes in southern Iran. The exchange
US Increasingly Violates Its Own Taiwan Relations Act, Analysts Say
The US is failing to meet the TRA's mandate to provide Taiwan a sufficient self-defense capability. China's military advantages in ships, ai