Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
China's Sailless Submarine Signals New Era of Seabed Warfare
China's new sailless submarine, spotted at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, features a streamlined hull and X-form rudders for enhanced stealt
US House Votes to Curb Trump's Iran War Powers, Signaling Republican Rift
The US House voted 215-208 to force President Trump to withdraw from the Iran conflict and require congressional approval for future militar
How Gulf States Use Expats to Project Stability Amid Iran Conflict
During US-Israel strikes on Iran and Iranian retaliation against Gulf states, Western expats in Dubai and Doha posted messages of safety and
Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Trigger Human Security Crisis Across Asia
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz drive up energy and food prices across Asia, hitting low-income households hardest. International law fo
Strait of Hormuz blockade could last until September, Trump says, as oil supply risks mount
President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz blockade could last until Labor Day, despite his optimism for a deal. Analysts warn that U.
Why Lowering Global Oil Prices Remains an Elusive Goal
Oil prices remain 40% above pre-war levels despite peace talks. Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz and extensive damage to Middle East e
Shangri-La Shockwave: End of Automatic Assurance Reshapes Japan's Security
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore signaled a shift from automatic security guarantees to tra
Australia Trapped in AUKUS Bait-and-Switch as US Submarine Deal Shifts
The US has altered the AUKUS submarine deal, giving Australia three used Virginia-class boats instead of one new Block 6 vessel. Canberra's
Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: Why Asia's Security Forum Finally Mattered
The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore exposed a region in strategic flux. Defense ministers from 44 countries confronted a fraying secur
The Mirage of Israel-Lebanon Rapprochement: History Repeats in the Levant
Direct Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington echo the failed 1983 May 17 Agreement. Hezbollah's continued strikes and the Lebanese state's lack
How Pacific Islands Can Benefit from Deepening Australia-Japan Ties
Australia and Japan are deepening ties through defense deals and economic cooperation, with Pacific island nations set to gain from capacity
Pentagon Bars Reporters From Press Office, Citing Security Reclassification
The Pentagon has redesignated its press office as a classified facility, barring journalists from the space used for decades to meet public