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.
- The history wars of North East Asia continue. South Korea has condemned a new Japanese history textbook that claims sovereignty over the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima Islands.
- Sam Roggeveen has written a good wrap-up of US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter's speech on the continuing US rebalance. Carter linked the TPP negotiations to national security, saying the deal is as important as 'another aircraft carrier.'
- The New York Times has an excellent debate going about the regional politics of the AIIB.
- The Times also ran an important editorial on growing nuclear dangers in South Asia. And in no coincidence, India is set to test a ballistic missile defence interceptor as well as two nuclear-capable ballistic missiles this month.
- How does the Iran nuclear deal affect India?
- Carnegie has released a substantial collection of material from its late-March International Nuclear Policy Conference, with many of the panels dealing directly with nuclear issues in the Indo-Pacific.