Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: Asia's Security Realignment Beyond the US Shield
The 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore reflects a region moving beyond reliance on the US security shield. Nations are diversifying defen
Gulf States Rethink US Security Guarantee as Iran Conflict Strains Economies
Gulf states face rising costs from US-led military actions against Iran, including damage to LNG infrastructure and aviation hubs. Saudi Ara
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
Trump's $1.5 Trillion Military Budget Risks Strategic Overreach in Asia
The White House seeks a 66% increase in military spending to $1.5 trillion for FY2027. Critics argue the plan ignores diplomatic tools and r
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 War's Five Miscalculations: A Reckoning for Washington's Strategy
Twelve weeks into the Iran conflict, the promised surgical strikes have given way to a regional crisis. Five key miscalculations—from overes
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
Bangladesh's JF-17 Fighter Deal Risks Shifting India's Eastern Security Calculus
Bangladesh's possible purchase of JF-17 Thunder Block III fighters from China and Pakistan threatens to alter the military balance near Indi
China's Type 004 Nuclear Carrier Signals Shift to Blue-Water Power
Satellite imagery shows China's Type 004 carrier hull taking shape at Dalian, likely nuclear-powered and larger than the Fujian. The vessel
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
Drones have become the decisive weapon in modern warfare, with Ukraine using 60,000 FPV drones daily and inflicting 5-to-1 casualty ratios.