Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
India's Great Nicobar Base Challenges China's Malacca Strait Dependence
India is constructing a multi-billion-dollar air and sea base on Great Nicobar Island, just 175 kilometers from the Strait of Malacca. The p
Trump Suggests Ground Invasion to Seize Iran's Kharg Island Oil Hub
President Donald Trump has threatened to seize Iran's Kharg Island, handling 90% of its crude exports, to gain control of oil markets. Exper
US Precision Bombing of Iran Water Facilities Raises War Crime Questions
US airstrikes destroyed two water reservoirs in Bemani, Iran, cutting off drinking water for 20,000 residents. The New York Times analysis i
US-Iran Airstrikes Risk Derailing Fragile Ceasefire as Regional Conflicts Deepen
The US launched airstrikes across Iran after Tehran downed a US helicopter, escalating tensions despite ongoing peace talks. Israel's milita
China's New South China Sea Moves Strain Regional Ties
China placed large objects in Scarborough Shoal, escalating a long-standing dispute with the Philippines. Beijing also dispatched vessels ea
No Military Solution Exists for the Middle East's Enduring Crisis
Military escalation has failed to bring stability to the Middle East. The collapse of the JCPOA and subsequent conflicts highlight the need
Saudi Public Opinion Divided on Military Action Against Iran
A rare survey of Saudi nationals shows 49% support strikes on Iranian missile sites, while 51% oppose. Three-quarters favor a stronger US re
Could Russia's War in Ukraine Trigger Political Change in Moscow?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has argued that Russia is losing the initiative daily. Historical precedent shows that Russian politi
Iran May Prolong Crisis to Humiliate US, Echoing 1979 Hostage Strategy
Iran's Islamic regime is using a strategy of delay and defiance, similar to the 1979 hostage crisis, to outlast US President Donald Trump an
Ex-CIA Disguise Chief Warns AI Is Transforming Espionage and Deception
Jonna Mendez, former CIA chief of disguise, warns that AI is elevating espionage by enabling synthetic identities and deepfakes. She highlig
US Blacklists Chinese Tech Giants While Deepening Its Own Military-AI Ties
The US has added Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD to its list of Chinese military-linked firms, restricting their access to US defense contracts. Mea
Netanyahu's 'Hexagon' Alliance Doctrine Risks Hardening Regional Divides
Netanyahu unveiled a 'hexagon of alliances' linking Israel, India, and Greece against radical axes. The doctrine risks polarizing the region