Indo-Pacific
22articles
Taiwan Coastguard's Rare Missile Firing Reveals Deepening Navy Ties
Taiwan's coastguard carried out a rare live missile exercise, the South China Morning Post reports, signaling growing operational integration with the island's navy.
Trump's Taiwan Retreat Tests His Chief China Hawk
A reported shift in Trump's Taiwan stance tests his administration's top China hawk as a new poll finds nearly half of Taiwanese doubt U.S. military backing.
Taiwan's Defense Efforts Signal Washington, Not Beijing, Expert Says
Taiwan's asymmetric defense investments are calibrated to reassure Washington of the island's self-defense commitment, not to deter China directly, a security analyst says.
Tokyo Widens Regional Defence Ties to Complicate Beijing's Taiwan Calculus
Japan is expanding bilateral and multilateral defence agreements across the Indo-Pacific, raising the cost and complexity of any Chinese move on Taiwan.
Kim Launches Second Nuclear Destroyer as Allied Drills Begin
North Korea launched its second nuclear-capable destroyer as allied military exercises opened, with Kim Jong-un vowing to build a fully nuclear-armed navy to counter regional threats.
Taiwan Experts Call for Shift to Smaller Naval Vessels to Counter China
Defense analysts urge Taiwan to restructure its navy around smaller, more survivable ships as PLA Navy expansion raises the cost of a conventional fleet strategy.
Pacific Summit Ends Without Unanimous Condemnation of China's Missile Launch
Pacific Island leaders failed to reach consensus on a joint censure of China's ballistic missile test, exposing Beijing's deepening diplomatic leverage across the region.
Pacific Leaders Call United Front as Taiwan Warns of Chinese Blockade Preparations
The chair of a Pacific regional forum demanded solidarity against a Chinese missile test as Taiwan warned Beijing is now fully preparing for a naval blockade of the island.
U.S. Tests $2.3B Harpoon Coastal Defense System Built for Taiwan
The Pentagon has successfully tested the $2.3 billion Harpoon Coastal Defense System for Taiwan — 100 mobile launchers and 400 anti-ship missiles to deny Chinese warships access.
China Expands South China Sea Presence With New Military Installations
Reuters reports fresh construction on a disputed South China Sea islet as Beijing presses its build-up, while Taiwan asks whether upgraded F-16s can counter the PLA's J-20 stealth jets.
Taiwan Vows 'Peace Through Strength' as China Tensions Persist
Taiwan's president marked a battle anniversary Sunday vowing never to yield an inch to Beijing, invoking a deterrence-first defense doctrine amid rising cross-strait tensions.
China Offers No Criticism After North Korea's Latest Missile Launch
Beijing's silence on North Korea's latest missile test highlights the limits of international pressure on Pyongyang as China expands its military footprint across the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan Proposes Record $35B Defense Budget as China Pressure Mounts
Taiwan proposes a record $35 billion defense budget for 2027 as Beijing's military pressure grows, highlighting the stakes in one of the world's most contested waterways.
USS Benfold Lost Power for Four Days in the South China Sea
The USS Benfold lost electricity for four days in the South China Sea last month, leaving sailors without toilets, air conditioning, galley service, or potable water.
China Criticizes Taiwan War Games as Military Tensions Rise
Beijing condemns Taiwan's military exercises as cross-strait tensions escalate, with the PLA maintaining heightened readiness across the Western Pacific.
Australia's MC-55 Peregrine Spy Jet Enters South China Sea
Australia's MC-55A Peregrine electronic warfare jet has entered the South China Sea in its first overseas deployment, expanding Canberra's intelligence reach in the Indo-Pacific.
Russia Is Helping China Close the Military Gap With the United States
A Foundation for Defense of Democracies analysis finds Russia is accelerating China's military modernization as Beijing increases maritime pressure on Taiwan with live naval war games.
Taiwan Strait Helicopter Flight Lays Bare Beijing's Invasion Calculus
A South China Morning Post analysis of a PLA helicopter's Taiwan Strait transit reveals how Beijing is rehearsing the operational mechanics of a potential invasion campaign.
China Launches Taiwan Strait Drills as PLA Sorties Hit Three-Year Low
Beijing ordered fresh military exercises in the Taiwan Strait days after high-level U.S.-China talks, even as PLA air sorties near Taiwan fell to a three-year low in early 2026.
Australia's Wong Calls on Region to Respond to South China Sea Aggression
Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Indo-Pacific partners to define their collective response to China's South China Sea conduct, framing silence as a strategic choice with consequences.
Canada, Australia Confront China Over South China Sea Aggression
Australia and Canada issued sharp warnings over China's South China Sea behavior Wednesday, with Canberra vowing it will not be intimidated as it expands its defense and nuclear capabilities.
Chinese Coast Guard Strikes Philippine Sailor in South China Sea Clash
Video footage shows a Chinese coast guard officer striking a Philippine sailor during a South China Sea confrontation, escalating one of Asia's most volatile territorial disputes.