By Kenji Watanabe
Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.
Hungary's Orban Concedes Defeat, Ending 16-Year Rule Amid Foreign Interference Claims
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conceded defeat to challenger Peter Magyar, ending 16 years of his party's rule. The election was mark
Five Indo-Pacific Shifts from the Iran Conflict
The Iran conflict is not an Indo-Pacific war, but its effects are reshaping regional security. Five emerging themes include nuclear prolifer
US-Iran Conflict Shifts Regional Power Dynamics, Benefiting China and Russia
The recent US-Iran conflict has damaged Washington's standing in the Middle East, analysts argue. China and Russia have gained strategic adv
Suspected Chinese UUV in Lombok Strait Tests Indonesia's Maritime Sovereignty
A suspected Chinese unmanned underwater vehicle was found in Indonesia's strategic Lombok Strait, a critical maritime corridor. The incident
Multiple Actors and Grievances Undermine Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire
The US-Iran ceasefire, announced after a dramatic shift by President Trump, is already showing signs of strain. Competing interpretations an
KMT Chair's 'Imperialist' Rhetoric Aligns with Beijing, Straining Taiwan's Political Consensus
Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's description of 'imperialist forces' as the cause of Taiwan's separation from China marks a significant
North Korea Adopts Iran and Ukraine War Tactics for New Combat Playbook
North Korea is rapidly incorporating lessons from the Iran and Ukraine wars into its military playbook. Recent tests include cluster-munitio
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