The Indo-Pacific is a strategic system encompassing the Indian and Pacific oceans, reflecting the expanding interests and reach of China and India as well as the enduring role of the US. The Lowy Institute's International Security program presents a weekly selection of links illuminating the changing security picture in this increasingly connected super-region.
- A long-form piece in the Financial Times from Charles Clover and Lucy Hornby on China's Great Game in Central Asia.
- Which island in the South China Sea holds the most strategic value?
- An interesting piece from Iskander Rehman in War on the Rocks on anti-access strategies and their threat to the liberal order.
- Two Canadians and a Norwegian have been kidnapped by what appears to be ISIS-inspired militants in the Philippines.
- Peter Hartcher in the Sydney Morning Herald on why Australia and the US need a tougher response to China in the South China Sea.
- At AUSMIN this week, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter made perhaps some of his strongest remarks on the subject: 'Make no mistake, the United States will fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, as we do around the world, and the South China Sea will not be an exception'.
- What was the result of the US-China cyber talks last month? More questions?
- It also looks like Japan will permanently join the US-India Malabar naval exercises.