Security & Defense
The PLA, the US Indo-Pacific Command, the Quad, AUKUS and the emerging security architecture of the region.
US Naval Blockade of Iran Raises Stakes for Asian Energy Security
The Trump administration has enacted a full naval blockade of Iran's ports, aiming to cripple its economy by halting oil exports. Military a
NATO Allies Reject Trump's Hormuz Blockade as Oil Prices Surge Past $100
NATO allies including the UK, Spain, and Turkey have publicly rejected former President Donald Trump's call for a blockade of the Strait of
Trump's Vatican Clash Highlights Foreign Policy Strains with Asian Implications
Former US President Donald Trump's social media attack on Pope Leo XIV centers on Vatican criticism of his Iran policy and war rhetoric. The
Iran Accuses Trump Team of Sabotaging Near-Deal in Islamabad Talks
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that US negotiators sabotaged marathon talks in Islamabad with maximalist demands when a dea
Iran Conflict Traps Trump Administration as Asian Economies Face Energy Shock
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports is squeezing major Asian economies like Japan, South Korea, and India, which rely on Hormuz Strait oi
Quantum Computing's Cryptographic Threat Accelerates, Prompting Regional Security Rethink
Recent algorithmic advances indicate the quantum computing resources needed to crack widely used encryption may be far lower than prior esti
Five Indo-Pacific Shifts from the Iran Conflict
The Iran conflict is not an Indo-Pacific war, but its effects are reshaping regional security. Five emerging themes include nuclear prolifer
Trump Orders Hormuz Blockade After Iran Talks Collapse in Islamabad
President Donald Trump declared a military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, citing Iran's refusal to trust US negotiators. The mo
US-Iran Conflict Shifts Regional Power Dynamics, Benefiting China and Russia
The recent US-Iran conflict has damaged Washington's standing in the Middle East, analysts argue. China and Russia have gained strategic adv
Suspected Chinese UUV in Lombok Strait Tests Indonesia's Maritime Sovereignty
A suspected Chinese unmanned underwater vehicle was found in Indonesia's strategic Lombok Strait, a critical maritime corridor. The incident
Multiple Actors and Grievances Undermine Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire
The US-Iran ceasefire, announced after a dramatic shift by President Trump, is already showing signs of strain. Competing interpretations an
Iran Ceasefire Collapse Highlights Limits of Middle-Power Mediation in Asia
A ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran brokered by Pakistan with Chinese support collapsed within hours, despite multiple regional med