Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
Why Dropping 'Indo-Pacific' Sharpens the Pentagon's China Focus
The US Department of Defense has renamed INDOPACOM back to PACOM, reversing a Trump-era move. This clarifies that Washington's core China st
Full Text of US-Iran MOU Revealed as Trump Justifies Ending War
The full text of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding shows an immediate ceasefire and 60-day negotiation window. President Trump's G7 re
US-Iran Deal Poised to Restart Oil and LNG Flows Through Strait of Hormuz
The US-Iran deal announced by President Trump may allow oil and LNG to flow through the Strait of Hormuz again, but recovery will be slow. I
Pentagon Used Musk's Grok AI to Target Iran in 2,000-Strike Operation
A Pentagon official disclosed that the US military used a derivative of Elon Musk's Grok AI to target 2,000 sites in Iran within 96 hours. T
Ukraine Rises as a Middle Power While Russia's Great Power Ambitions Fade
Russia's war in Ukraine is a middle power conflict, not a great power one. Ukraine has risen as a diplomatic and military force, while Russi
Trump and Netanyahu at Odds Over Iran Deal as Lebanon Stalemate Deepens
A US-Iran memorandum due in Geneva on June 19 hangs in the balance as Israel continues its occupation of southern Lebanon. President Trump h
Al-Mirsad: The Taliban's New English-Language Propaganda Machine
Al-Mirsad, the Taliban's English-language outlet, has evolved from insurgent propaganda into a sophisticated strategic communications tool.
Trump's Shift on Iran Uranium: War Justification Unravels at G7
President Trump told G7 leaders there is 'no rush' to confiscate Iran's highly enriched uranium, calling it 'not very valuable.' The admissi
How Iran Turned the Tables on Trump and Israel in the 2026 War
Iran absorbed massive US-Israeli air and missile strikes but retained the ability to retaliate, closing the Strait of Hormuz and attacking G
Trump's Iran Deal: Realpolitik Wins as Coercive Diplomacy Pays Off
The US and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, brokered by Pakistan. The deal, a product of coercive
Iran Warns Israeli Occupation of Lebanon Violates US-Iran Peace Deal
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Israeli occupation of Lebanon violates the US-Iran memorandum of understanding. Israeli
China's New Naval Gun Targets Taiwan's Defenses with Record Range
China's new 155mm naval gun, the largest caliber in active service, can strike targets up to 200 km away. It aims to provide cost-effective