Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
When National Security Becomes Market Logic: Asia's New Investment Reality
Japan halted South Korean firm MBK Partners' acquisition of Makino Milling Machine on security grounds. Similar moves in the UK and Netherla
Iran Accuses EU of Appeasement as Trump Escalates Military Strikes
Iran's Foreign Ministry accused EU leaders of appeasing aggressors after condemning Iranian strikes on US bases in Kuwait. The Trump adminis
Washington's Opportunity to Counter Chinese Influence in Solomon Islands
Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of USINDOPACOM, faces a strategic opening in Solomon Islands after a no-confidence vote ousted a pro-China premi
Quad Shifts Focus to Infrastructure, Cables, and Minerals in Indo-Pacific Strategy
The Quad's New Delhi meeting unveiled plans for a port in Fiji, maritime domain awareness, and critical mineral partnerships. This marks a p
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
Ceasefires as Political Reckoning: The Iran Conflict's Unresolved Logic
The Iran ceasefire exposes the political constraints of military force. Historical precedents from Korea and the Yom Kippur War show ceasefi
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
Cuba's Collapse Looms as Washington Weighs Intervention After Venezuela Precedent
Cuba's economic collapse, driven by lost oil supplies and sanctions, has brought the island to its weakest point since the Soviet era. Washi
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
Quad's Structural Resilience: Why Trump's Second Term Won't Kill the Alliance
The Quad faces challenges under Trump's second term, with US-India ties strained and no leaders' summit in sight. Yet China's military build
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