apan’s July 16 defense white paper reasserts its territorial claims over the Senkaku Islands and maritime zones in the East China Sea, sparking diplomatic backlash from China and South Korea. This escalation highlights East Asia’s fragile balance of power and Japan’s resolve to defend its strategic interests.
The Asia-Pacific Policy Strategy Dialogue (APPSD) concluded in London with a resounding call for a new organising principle: “America First, Allies Always.” The summit, attended by defense and policy leaders from the U.S., U.K., Japan, Australia, and South Korea, emphasized the need for integrated deterrence against the rising influence of the China-Russia-Iran-North Korea axis —…
In a show of growing military coordination, the Pacific Alliance Naval Coalition (PANC) — comprising Australia, Japan, the United States, and the Philippines — launched a series of joint naval drills in the Coral Sea, marking the largest coordinated maritime exercise in the region since 2021. The drills, dubbed Operation Sovereign Wake, are designed to…
In a bold assertion of maritime sovereignty, the Philippine Navy deployed two additional patrol vessels to the contested waters near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), following reports of Chinese coast guard ships allegedly harassing Filipino fishermen. The move comes on the ninth anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims in the…
In a bold move underscoring the shifting priorities of U.S. defence policy, the Pentagon has formally requested that Japan and Australia clarify their roles in the event of a military conflict over Taiwan. Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby emphasised the need for “peace through strength,” urging allies to increase defence spending and…
On July 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Wonsan, solidifying a sweeping military pact that includes mutual defense provisions and direct support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Pyongyang reaffirmed its commitment to Moscow’s objectives, with Lavrov thanking the “heroic” North Korean troops already deployed to aid…
The tariffs—ranging from 25% to 40%—will take effect August 1 and cover electronics, automotive components, and agricultural imports. Trump emphasized the need to “rebalance unfair trade deals that hollowed out American industry,” citing decades of outsourcing and foreign subsidies. On his first Asia trip, Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced a frosty reception in Kuala…
On June 22, President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. forces had executed precision airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking a historic escalation in the Middle East. The strikes, coordinated with Israeli intelligence, were described by Trump as having “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The move comes after weeks of Iranian missile attacks on…
China’s Foreign Ministry issued a sharp rebuke of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran, calling them “a reckless violation of international law” and warning of “unpredictable consequences” for global stability. The statement came hours after President Trump confirmed the destruction of three Iranian nuclear sites in a coordinated operation with Israel. Beijing’s response was swift and…
Speaking from Melbourne, Australia, Vice President Sara Duterte issued a scathing critique of the Marcos administration’s foreign policy, warning that the Philippines is “not ready for war” and lacks a coherent strategic direction. Her remarks came amid rising tensions in the Middle East and growing concerns over the Philippines’ alignment with U.S. military interests. Duterte’s…