Asia
Moon versus Abe and the contest for America’s ear
A battle is underway between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in over their differing approaches to North Korea. They are competing to shape…
“Global Britain” on the line in the South China Sea
During a trip to Australia this month, UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that HMS Sutherland, a British frigate currently deployed to Australia and the Western…
China and the military balance
The International Institute for Strategic Studies has launched the 2018 edition of The Military Balance, which tracks the development of military forces around the world. It…
How Australia crossed a line in the Timor Sea
The UN Compulsory Conciliation between Australia and Timor-Leste, which aims to set a boundary in the Timor Sea, appears to be inching towards resolution, with details…
Sensitivity as Indonesia grapples with a measles outbreak in Papua
The Indonesian Government is grappling with a measles outbreak in the Papuan district of Asmat, where at least 65 children have died since the epidemic began in October. Almost…
Economic diplomacy brief: Maldives showdown, selling infrastructure and feeding India
Chindian ocean
Security analysts may well outnumber sun-starved tourists doing Google searches for the Maldives after last week’s leadership showdown, which…
Indian Ocean base race: India responds
It seems that we are in the middle of a base race across the Indian Ocean. The latest move, reported on Tuesday, involves an agreement to give India access to naval…
Jonghyun and depression in South Korea
It was a difficult Christmas for the community dedicated to K-pop, the South Korean music genre that in recent years has become an international phenomenon. On 18 December 2017…
The Monroe Doctrine revival
No other great powers will be allowed in Latin America, and liberal democracy is the only political system allowed in the region (or, in practice, no socialist or Marxist rule…
Malaysia’s election – electric and exhausting
In media studios, food courts, street stalls, and offices, I watch Malaysian political observers and insiders perform the same routine.
First, they sigh and look …