Latest Stories
Kambarata-1 to See Joint Financing From Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in 2026
2026 looks to be a pivotal year in which the trilateral hydropower project will either make serious steps forward or languish, as previous efforts have, in the void between ambition and reality.
South Korea’s Unification Minister Is Not Happy With DMZ Administration
While Chung Dong-young’s political agenda is clear, his comments fail to recognize that the DMZ is governed by specific rules and procedures for important reasons.
India and the Indo-Pacific in Trump’s Second-term Strategy
The new National Security Strategy offers important insights into how a second Trump presidency views the Indo-Pacific and the role India is expected to play within it.
The Problem With Taiwan’s $40 Billion Defense Budget
The defense spending hike is a necessary step, but it avoids harder questions.
100 Ships at Sea: Strategic Observations on the Chinese Navy’s 2025 Winter Exercises
The PLAN’s deployments – the biggest to date – stretched from the southern Yellow Sea through the East and South China Seas and deep into the Western Pacific.
Putin’s India Visit Reveals New Delhi’s Complicated Strategy
Amid difficult relations with the U.S., India is keen to show that it has other options.
Most Read
Why China Can’t Make Gwadar Work – Even After Billions Spent
Gwadar port has often been touted as CPEC’s “crown jewel.” Yet almost two decades after the port began operations, business has been lackluster.
US Steps up Defense Cooperation in Southeast Asia
Washington is making progress with a range of states: from staunch ally the Philippines to newer partner Vietnam and even Cambodia, where China's influence dominates.
How Israel’s Embassy Lost China
The tenure of Israel’s outgoing ambassador was marked by a lack of effort to engage with Chinese thought leaders or combat rising antisemitism – until it was too late.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
China’s Diplomatic Machinery Is Wearing Thin
China’s foreign policy bureaucracy faces a mounting succession crisis that will only multiply in 2026.
What Does China Want? Depends Which China You’re Talking About.
From Theft to Labubu: The Evolution of Intellectual Property Protection in China
Hong Kong’s Tragic Fire Shows the Consequences of a Hollowed-out Civil Society
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
The Problem With Taiwan’s $40 Billion Defense Budget
The defense spending hike is a necessary step, but it avoids harder questions.
Putin’s India Visit Reveals New Delhi’s Complicated Strategy
Japan, China Trade Accusations Over Radar Lock-on Near Okinawa
China and India’s National Strategy and Competition in Cislunar Space
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
100 Ships at Sea: Strategic Observations on the Chinese Navy’s 2025 Winter Exercises
The PLAN’s deployments – the biggest to date – stretched from the southern Yellow Sea through the East and South China Seas and deep into the Western Pacific.
Putin and Modi Affirm Russia-India Defense Relations
Breaking the North Korea-Russia Missile Axis
Thailand’s Aircraft Carrier, the Chakri Naruebet, Charts a New Course
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Chinese Court Orders Malaysia Airlines to Pay Compensation Over Missing Flight MH370
With the search for MH370 set to resume on December 30, China has approved its first compensation claim involving the doomed aircraft.
Myanmar’s National Unity Government in 2025: A Series of Unfortunate Events?
Malaysia’s PM Calls for Calm After Conflict Reignites Between Thailand and Cambodia
Thai and Cambodian Troops Again Clash Along Disputed Border
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Nagaland Wants Unrestricted Entry of Foreign Nationals to Boost Tourism
Unlike Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram are not opposed to the Protected Area Permit given their concerns over the influx of refugees and rebels from Myanmar.
Is India Recalibrating its Stance Toward Post-Hasina Bangladesh?
India-Russia Set Ties on Economic Trajectory During Putin’s Visit
Modi-Putin Summit: More Style and Symbolism Than Substance
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
South Korea’s Unification Minister Is Not Happy With DMZ Administration
While Chung Dong-young’s political agenda is clear, his comments fail to recognize that the DMZ is governed by specific rules and procedures for important reasons.
Lee Jae-myung’s Latest Policy Signals to North Korea
One Year After Martial Law Debacle, South Korea’s New President Vows to Complete ‘Light Revolution’
Why Is the PPP Still Defending Yoon Suk-yeol?
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Japan Reacts to the New US National Security Strategy
The plan codifies demands for Japan to spend more on defense and increase its capabilities – efforts Japanese officials say are already underway.
What a China-US Detente Mean for Japanese Foreign Policy
Former Japanese PM Ishiba Shigeru Has Thoughts on His Successor
China Intensifies ‘Three Warfares’ Targeting Japan Over Takaichi’s Taiwan Remarks
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Kambarata-1 to See Joint Financing From Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in 2026
2026 looks to be a pivotal year in which the trilateral hydropower project will either make serious steps forward or languish, as previous efforts have, in the void between ambition and reality.
Mongolia and Cuba’s Diplomatic Relations: Past, Present, and Future
Kyrgyz Election Commission Tosses Results From District With Highest Turnout, Citing Violations
Are Uzbekistan’s Peacebuilding Efforts Sustainable in Central Asia?
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
India and the Indo-Pacific in Trump’s Second-term Strategy
The new National Security Strategy offers important insights into how a second Trump presidency views the Indo-Pacific and the role India is expected to play within it.
US Steps up Defense Cooperation in Southeast Asia
Trump–Xi and Strategic Recalibration
Try, Try Again: New Bills Submitted to Address the Jackson-Vanik Problem
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
Vietnam’s 2026 Budget, Explained
Strong economic performance sent government revenue soaring in 2025, putting the country in an enviable fiscal position.
The Ford-CATL Deal Should Become the Model for China-US Economic Cooperation
Is China’s Real Estate Crisis Driving the Next Stage of Homegrown Innovation?
China vs. Korea: Who Is Winning the Battery Battle in Hungary?
Oceania
The South Pacific
Australia’s Social Media Age Ban Is Days Away. Here Is What It Really Means.
Public debate on the ban has focused on parenting choices. But the real issue is corporate compliance, technical design, and safe spaces for young people.
The $500 Mistake: Why International Students in Australia Are Selling Their Bank Accounts to Criminals
Australia’s National AI Plan Has Just Been Released. Who Exactly Will Benefit?
How Best to Defend Australia’s Democracy in the Digital Age?
Videos
Asia on Video
Why China Can’t Make Gwadar Work – Even After Billions Spent
Gwadar port has often been touted as CPEC’s “crown jewel.” Yet almost two decades after the port began operations, business has been lackluster.
How Southeast Asia Became the Scam Capital of the World
Inside China’s Rare Earth Empire: The Hidden Costs in Myanmar
Modi and the Mullahs: India’s Embrace of the Taliban
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
Dissecting Trump’s Remarkably Odd US National Security Strategy
Half as long as his previous administration’s NSS, Trump’s newly revealed strategy is perhaps the clearest (though still confusing) outline of the U.S. president’s worldview.
