Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
Taiwan's Calm Response to Trump-Xi Deal-Making Highlights Strategic Confidence
Taiwan has shown remarkable calm amid global worries that the Trump-Xi summit could trade away its future. The island's long experience with
Cuba's Collapse Looms as Washington Weighs Intervention After Venezuela Precedent
Cuba's economic collapse, driven by lost oil supplies and sanctions, has brought the island to its weakest point since the Soviet era. Washi
The Deep Roots of US-Russia Rivalry: From Alaska to Ukraine
The US-Russia relationship has been adversarial for centuries, not just since the Cold War. Early encounters in Alaska and the Pacific North
Shangri-La 2026: US Dominance, China's Retreat, India's Awakening
The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore reveals an unequal triangle: the US remains the dominant security provider, China downgrades its d
Quad's Structural Resilience: Why Trump's Second Term Won't Kill the Alliance
The Quad faces challenges under Trump's second term, with US-India ties strained and no leaders' summit in sight. Yet China's military build
Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: Asia's Security Realignment Beyond the US Shield
The 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore reflects a region moving beyond reliance on the US security shield. Nations are diversifying defen
Gulf States Rethink US Security Guarantee as Iran Conflict Strains Economies
Gulf states face rising costs from US-led military actions against Iran, including damage to LNG infrastructure and aviation hubs. Saudi Ara
Israeli Minister Says Cabinet Will Block Trump's Iran Peace Deal
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated the cabinet will not permit a US-Iran peace deal. New Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, violat
Trump's Abraham Accords Pitch Falls Flat in a Skeptical Middle East
Trump is pushing the Abraham Accords as a condition for any Iran deal, but regional trust is eroded. Saudi Arabia and others prioritize Pale
Trump's $1.5 Trillion Military Budget Risks Strategic Overreach in Asia
The White House seeks a 66% increase in military spending to $1.5 trillion for FY2027. Critics argue the plan ignores diplomatic tools and r
Pete Hegseth's Masculinity Crusade: A Desperate Search for Validation Through War
Pete Hegseth's eagerness for conflict with Iran reflects a deeper personal crisis. His military career, marked by failures in Afghanistan an
Iran War's Five Miscalculations: A Reckoning for Washington's Strategy
Twelve weeks into the Iran conflict, the promised surgical strikes have given way to a regional crisis. Five key miscalculations—from overes