Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
Trump's Iran joke about bombing California draws sharp backlash
President Trump joked that Iranian strikes on Los Angeles and San Diego would be a small price to pay, drawing fury from Californians. The r
America's Iraq exit is a strategic pivot, not a retreat
The US departure from Iraq is not an end but a strategic pivot to remote containment. Washington aims to disarm Iran-backed groups to clear
Sustaining Northeast Asia's trilateral deterrence: the logistics gap
US, South Korea, and Japan have made strides in trilateral security cooperation, but deterrence hinges on logistics. A key gap: no mutual lo
Russia's Taliban courtship complicates Pakistan's Afghan calculus
Russia hosted Taliban observers at its Center-2026 war games while Pakistani troops drilled alongside. Moscow's balancing act reflects a bro
Indonesia's military buildup is just the beginning of a long modernization
Indonesia has embarked on its most ambitious military modernization in decades, acquiring Rafale jets, new warships, and submarines. But the
US backs Saudi-led offensive as Yemen edges toward renewed war
Yemen's Saudi-backed government has launched a major offensive to retake Houthi-held territory, including the capital Sanaa. The US is provi
Russia's new strategy targets Ukrainian cities to force capitulation
Russia is struggling on the battlefield and at sea, so it is turning to a strategy of making Ukrainian cities unlivable. Attacks on bridges,
Taiwan's new F-16Vs buy time against China's air coercion
Taiwan received its first two F-16V Block 70 fighters, part of a 66-jet deal to counter China's record air incursions. The new jets extend f
India's missile shield may create a false sense of security
India's new interceptor tests advance its layered missile shield, but experts warn of a false sense of security. The defense could embolden
China's quiet role in the Iran conflict tests US strategy
China remains Iran's largest oil buyer and a key economic partner, blunting US sanctions. Washington's response risks turning the Iran confl
US underground blast tests aim to unmask China's hidden nuclear trials
The US Department of Energy conducted a non-nuclear underground explosion at the Nevada National Security Site to refine detection of concea
Hegseth taps Musk, Luckey, Gingrich to lead Pentagon's future warfare project
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appointed Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to co-lead Project Meridian, a 120-day Pentagon