Latest in Water Wars
U.S. and China spar over close maneuvers and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea; Biden administration doubles down on aid to Taiwan; Japan begins its largest military buildup since World War II; and more.
Xi secures third presidential term following 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party; Chinese military rehearses large-scale amphibious landings and headhunts Western pilots; U.S. releases China-focused National Security Strategy and strengthens Indo-Pacific cooperation; and more.
U.S.-China tensions continue to simmer over Taiwan; Solomon Islands delays general election in what some call a power grab linked to China’s influence; North Korea reaffirms commitment to nuclear weapons; and more.
Shinzo Abe leaves behind an Indo-Pacific legacy; U.S. Navy FONOPS and Pelosi’s Taiwan visit draw China’s ire; unsafe maneuvers a matter of policy for the Chinese military; and more.
Biden’s ASEAN summit reinvigorates UNCLOS ratification debate, Beijing fails to gain support for Pacific Islands regional security agreement but finalizes controversial pact with the Solomon Islands, and more.
Biden administration delivers 2022 National Defense Strategy; China conducts militarization and secret diplomacy in the South China Sea; AUKUS announces new agreement to develop hypersonic weapons; U.S. and Philippine armed forces revive full-scale Joint Exercise Balikatan following coronavirus pause; and more.
Japan boosts defense spending and emphasizes defense cooperation with the U.S. and Australia as the possibility of a Taiwan emergency grows, while the U.S. makes an economic push in Southeast Asia, and countries in the region continue their maritime defense buildups.
Chinese incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone continue to escalate; Japan makes unprecedented defense pledges, to China’s chagrin; U.S. submarine collision gives China an opportunity to push back on U.S. operations in South China Sea
Biden announces “AUKUS is born,” marking the United States’ continued shift toward the Indo-Pacific, while China implements a new maritime identification law to regulate foreign vessels within its territorial waters.
The United States attempts to focus on its military and diplomatic interests in Asia despite the ongoing debacle in Afghanistan; Japan and Taiwan continue to grow closer; India seeks to cement its position; and European nations send mixed signals.