Australia

China

Military & Security

Politics

China in Transition

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

On June 4, Australia's defense minister revealed that a Chinese J-16 fighter jet had on May 26 intercepted an Australian P-8A Poseidon signals intelligence aircraft conducting reconnaissance in international airspace over the South China Sea, during which the J-16 deployed flares and released chaff into the P-8A's engines, Sky News reported June 5.

China: Maverick Chinese Pilots Risk Creating Diplomatic Crises

Modernizing China’s Military

United States

Japan

A Japanese Awakening

Satellite footage from an unspecified date shows mock-ups and target dummies modeled after the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's E-767 aircraft and U.S. aircraft carriers in the Xinjiang desert, Nikkei Asia reported May 20.

Japan, China: Satellite Photos Show Japanese and American Military Target Dummies in Xinjiang

Security

Australia has demanded a full investigation after a Chinese vessel pointed a military-grade laser at an Australian military aircraft in flight over Australia's northern airspace border on Feb. 20, Reuters reported Feb. 22.

Australia, China: Air Force-Navy Incident Illustrates Increased Regional Security Risk

Equatorial Guinea

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

The United States is sending a delegation of senior diplomatic and military officials to Equatorial Guinea this week in an effort to deter the country from allowing China to build a naval base in the country, which would likely be located in the deep water around the city of Bata in the Continental Area of Equatorial Guinea, The Wall Street Journal reported Feb. 11.

Equatorial Guinea: U.S. to Send Delegation to Ward off Potential Chinese Naval Base

U.S.-China Relations

Taiwan

Thirteen Chinese aircraft -- including electronic warfare jets -- entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Jan. 24 after China sent 39 aircraft into Taiwan’s ADIZ 260 miles southwest of Taiwan’s main island on Jan. 23, Focus Taiwan reported Jan. 24.

Taiwan: Chinese Air Incursions Still Just Posturing, But Naval Presence a Risk to Japan

Taiwan's air force announced that it is suspending combat training with F-16 aircraft after an F-16V went missing off of southern Taiwan, Reuters reported Jan. 11.

Taiwan: Suspension of F-16 Training Underscores Arms Imbalance With China

Hong Kong SAR, China

The new chief of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong is Maj. Gen. Peng Jingtang, Hong Kong Free Press reported Jan. 10.

Hong Kong: Appointment of PLA Garrison Chief Reminds Officials to Smother Unrest

Philippines

Japan announced the planned acquisition of 10 new vessels for its coast guard, and the Philippines announced a $556 million purchase of two naval corvettes produced by South Korean manufacturer Hyundai, South China Morning Post reported Jan. 4.

Japan, Philippines: Naval Buildup Continues to Counter Chinese Maritime Incursions

China’s military — a collection of unprofessional soldiers just a quarter century ago — has modernized more quickly than nearly any other in history. And its ascendance has caused nothing but concern for the powers of the region, forcing them to adapt their security policies to what they see as a growing power hostile to their interests. It will also continue to invite U.S. involvement in the region, encourage Japan to regain its military strength and spur defense acquisitions.

China’s military — a collection of unprofessional soldiers just a quarter century ago — has modernized more quickly than nearly any other in history.

South Korea

Russia

Cyber

Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

Columns

On Geopolitics

Solomon Islands

Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (not pictured) during a meeting in Beijing on Oct. 9, 2019. 

China's new security deal with the island nation is the latest in a series of moves by Beijing to normalize its military's expanding international role.

In the Solomon Islands, China Seeks to Normalize Its Global Security Presence

Snapshots

Indonesia

Indonesian soldiers stand guard near a French Rafale fighter jet at a military base in Blang Bintang, Indonesia, on May 19, 2019.

Economics

Defending against Beijing's competing South China Sea claims will force Jakarta to accept the potential economic cost of Chinese retaliation.

Indonesia's Military Development Risks Drawing China's Ire

New Zealand

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (right) holds a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, China, on April 1, 2019.

Wellington's balance between securing its periphery and maintaining trade ties with China could shift toward the former as Beijing’s military activities in the Pacific accelerate. 

New Threats Test New Zealand’s Approach to Chinese Encroachment

A Chinese coast guard ship prepares to anchor at the Manila port in the Philippines on Jan. 14, 2020. 

More frequent confrontations with Manila could see Washington turn its pledges of support into action, raising the risk of a more direct U.S.-China standoff in the contested waterway. 

A South China Sea Flare-Up Renews Attention on the U.S.-Philippine Military Pact

An aerial photograph taken by the Philippine Air Force in November 2003 shows Chinese-built structures near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. 

Without willing compliance to or international enforcement of the ruling rejecting China’s sweeping claims, relative power remains the true arbiter in the disputed waterway. 

A Look Back at a Landmark South China Sea Ruling, Five Years On

Assessments

Europe

Iran

Iran and China’s foreign ministers (right to left) sign a partnership agreement in Tehran on March 27, 2021. 

Tehran will aim to balance increased cooperation with Beijing by pursuing sanctions relief from the U.S. and overall deeper ties with Western countries. 

Iran Will Pursue Its New China Partnership With Caution 

Iran's Arc of Influence

The New Silk Road

A man stands outside the CNOOC headquarters building in Beijing, China, on July 29, 2016. 

Environment, Science & Technology

Energy

Targeting China’s third-largest oil company highlights the South China Sea’s importance to U.S. strategy, which is unlikely to change under Biden. 

The U.S. Adds Chinese Oil Giant CNOOC to Its Export Blacklist

India

An Indian fighter jet flies over Leh, the joint capital of the union territory of Ladakh, on June 26, 2020.

India's Own Worst Enemy

China’s reassertion of its 1959 border line with India has left little room for compromise, which will enable Beijing to reinforce its claims in the Himalayan region come spring.

China Moves to Freeze Its Border Dispute With India Before the Winter Does

Philippine and Chinese coast guard ships sail past each other in the South China Sea on May 14, 2019. 

Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

Duterte’s South China Sea policy is becoming less conciliatory toward China amid growing political pressure to shore up Manila’s maritime claims, as well as its U.S. security alliance.

The Philippines Takes a Tougher Approach to Its South China Sea Claims 

COVID-19

Echoes of the Cold War

The success of the White House’s attempt to score a pre-election policy win by shifting its position in favor of extending the nuclear arms control treaty will depend on Moscow playing along.

U.S., Russia: What to Make of Washington's Reversal on New START

An Indian fighter jet flies over Ladakh, the disputed Himalayan region near the Chinese border, on June 26, 2020. 

Beijing's aggressive strategy is raising the risk of additional escalations and sustained conflict with New Delhi by creating a greater concentration of military assets in heavily disputed areas. 

A Military Drive Spells Out China's Intent Along the Indian Border

Recent claims of exchanged gunfire reflect a growing risk of military escalation on the border, where China's growing presence is prompting India to more assertively defend its claimed territory. 

Modernizing China’s Military

SITUATION REPORTS

China: Maverick Chinese Pilots Risk Creating Diplomatic Crises

Japan, China: Satellite Photos Show Japanese and American Military Target Dummies in Xinjiang

Australia, China: Air Force-Navy Incident Illustrates Increased Regional Security Risk

Equatorial Guinea: U.S. to Send Delegation to Ward off Potential Chinese Naval Base

Taiwan: Chinese Air Incursions Still Just Posturing, But Naval Presence a Risk to Japan

Taiwan: Suspension of F-16 Training Underscores Arms Imbalance With China

Hong Kong: Appointment of PLA Garrison Chief Reminds Officials to Smother Unrest

Japan, Philippines: Naval Buildup Continues to Counter Chinese Maritime Incursions

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support