Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
US-blacklisted Chinese firm CGN operates five power plants in South Korea
China General Nuclear Power (CGN), a US-blacklisted state-owned firm, operates five power plants in South Korea with 2.2 GW capacity. Its ne
US Reaper drones face obsolescence as attritable mass reshapes air war
The MQ-9 Reaper, a mainstay of US drone operations, is increasingly vulnerable to modern air defenses. The Pentagon is now shifting toward c
UK-Ukraine drone pact reshapes long-term security in Europe and beyond
The UK-Ukraine drone partnership combines Kyiv's combat-tested designs with British manufacturing to mass-produce uncrewed systems. This mod
Russia's Khabarovsk submarine tests Pacific deterrence in a new era
Russia's Khabarovsk submarine, designed to deploy Poseidon nuclear drones, has started sea trials. The vessel's Pacific deployment could res
Israel's next move likely targets southern Syria
Israeli forces are conducting frequent ground raids in southern Syria, beyond the 1974 disengagement line. These actions, coupled with polit
Trump's North Korea overture is really a test for Seoul and Beijing
Trump's decision to reduce US-South Korea military exercises is a strategic move aimed at Seoul, not just Pyongyang. The real audience may b
India-Japan defense talks signal shift toward industrial security ties
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's visit to India signals a structural shift in Asian security, moving beyond bilateral ties to de
China's Type 054B upgrade signals shift toward missile-heavy frigate fleet
Satellite imagery shows China's next Type 054B frigate will carry 48 VLS cells, a 50% increase over earlier ships. The upgrade underscores B
India's Israel arms ties shift from buyer to wartime supplier
India is moving from being a major buyer of Israeli arms to a manufacturing and supply partner. New data shows thousands of shipments from I
Seoul should have a seat at the table on tactical nuclear options
A recent survey finds 75% of South Koreans support redeploying US tactical nuclear weapons, yet many doubt Washington would retaliate if Nor
Taliban's Five-Year Rule Pushes Afghanistan to the Brink as Resistance Grows
The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has not softened its ultra-extremist rule, which has driven the country to the brink of collaps
Mecca Defense Pact: Strategic Insurance, Not an Eastern NATO
The Mecca Joint Defense Pact binds Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to mutual defense, but it lacks the institutional depth of NATO. It's