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Newsroom · Politics & Diplomacy

By Kenji Watanabe

Covers the politics of the Indo-Pacific, from Washington DC back to Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.

210 published stories
US Increasingly Violates Its Own Taiwan Relations Act, Analysts Say
Security

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

Drone Dominance Redefines Modern Warfare: The End of Traditional Armies
Security

Drone Dominance Redefines Modern Warfare: The End of Traditional Armies

Drones have become the decisive weapon in modern warfare, with Ukraine using 60,000 FPV drones daily and inflicting 5-to-1 casualty ratios.

Iran's Drone Industry Survives US Strikes Through Dispersal and Redundancy
Security

Iran's Drone Industry Survives US Strikes Through Dispersal and Redundancy

Iran's drone-making machine has survived US and Israeli strikes due to a design built for resilience. Intelligence assessments show Iran has

GOP Hawks Sound Alarm as Trump Weighs Deal to End Iran Conflict
Security

GOP Hawks Sound Alarm as Trump Weighs Deal to End Iran Conflict

President Donald Trump has indicated he is considering a deal to end the US war with Iran. Three hawkish GOP senators have voiced strong opp

Pakistan's Mediation Gamble: Can Islamabad Bridge the US-Iran Divide?
Security

Pakistan's Mediation Gamble: Can Islamabad Bridge the US-Iran Divide?

Pakistan has brokered a ceasefire between the US and Iran, but its role as mediator faces steep hurdles. Washington's maximalist demands and

Bangladesh's Paramilitary Force Cannot Be Fixed by a New Name
Security

Bangladesh's Paramilitary Force Cannot Be Fixed by a New Name

Bangladesh's interim government proposes renaming the Rapid Action Battalion to shed its toxic reputation. But the force's history of extraj

Greenlanders Protest US Consulate Opening, Reject Trump's Ambitions
Politics

Greenlanders Protest US Consulate Opening, Reject Trump's Ambitions

Hundreds of Greenlanders protested the opening of a new US consulate in Nuuk, chanting 'Go home' and 'No means no.' Prime Minister Jens-Fred

US Aircraft Losses Over Iran Raise Questions About Pacific Air Superiority Against China
Security

US Aircraft Losses Over Iran Raise Questions About Pacific Air Superiority Against China

The US has lost or damaged 42 aircraft in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, including fighters, tankers, and drones. The losses highlight vu

Xi Jinping Lectures Trump on Hubris and the Thucydides Trap
Politics

Xi Jinping Lectures Trump on Hubris and the Thucydides Trap

Chinese President Xi Jinping used Trump's Beijing visit to lecture him on avoiding the Thucydides trap, blaming strategic miscalculation rat

Pakistan's Saudi Deployment Signals Gulf Security Shift
Security

Pakistan's Saudi Deployment Signals Gulf Security Shift

Pakistan has reportedly sent 8,000 troops, JF-17 fighters, drones, and HQ-9 air defense systems to Saudi Arabia under a confidential 2025 mu

Turkey's Yildirimhan ICBM Reveal Signals Nuclear Deterrence Ambitions Beyond NATO
Security

Turkey's Yildirimhan ICBM Reveal Signals Nuclear Deterrence Ambitions Beyond NATO

Turkey showcased the Yildirimhan ICBM at Istanbul's SAHA 2026 expo, claiming a 6,000 km range. Analysts see the move as a signal of nuclear

Cuba's Drone Buildup with Russian, Chinese, and Iranian Backing Raises US Alarm in the Caribbean
Security

Cuba's Drone Buildup with Russian, Chinese, and Iranian Backing Raises US Alarm in the Caribbean

Cuba has acquired over 300 drones since 2023 with Russian and Iranian support, raising fears for US security in the Caribbean. US officials