Politics

A U.S. nuclear submarine arrives at a naval base on the South Korean island of Jeju in July.
Defense

Can Washington and Seoul tame South Koreans' nuclear ambitions?

Doubts linger on U.S. commitment to defend ally as North continues atomic buildup

31 December 2023
A fighter jet lands on the deck of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier during a deployment to the South China Sea. U.S.-China military talks aim at reducing tensions and the risk of accidents.
US-China tensions

U.S. and China to resume staff-level military dialogue in January

Beijing picking defense chief paves the way for ministerial talks

31 December 2023
From left, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and People’s Council of Turkmenistan Chairman Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov attend the annual summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Nov. 3. (Organization of Turkic States)
International relations

U.S. has golden opportunity to engage Central Asia's Turkic states: analysts

In race to replace Russia, China and Iran also eye greater role in region

31 December 2023
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has stepped up investment in such destinations as the U.S. and Europe. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Taiwan investment in China plummets as it soars in U.S. and Germany

Mainland's appeal ebbs amid flagging economy and rising tensions

29 December 2023
Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Shun Tai is seen anchored at the Kozmino terminal in Nakhodka Bay near the Russian port city of Nakhodka. 
International relations

China-Russia ties in Arctic keep U.S. and Canada on alert

Alaska and Yukon territory share info as warships and thin-hulled tankers pass by

28 December 2023
The Japanese government's legal victory over Okinawan authorities means work may soon resume on the transfer of a U.S. military base to the Henoko coastal area.
Politics

Japan moves forward on U.S. base transfer after 10 years of delays

Work to resume in January after government overrides Okinawa governor

27 December 2023
Google and Apple both require mobile apps to generally use their billing systems. (Photo by Masaharu Ban)
Technology

Japan to crack down on Apple and Google app store monopolies

Antitrust curbs to require tech giants to allow third-party app platforms and billing

27 December 2023
Bangladesh, Taiwan, South Korea and Sri Lanka are also set to go to the polls next year, while Asia's focus will shift to the U.S. Presidential race later in 2024. (Photo by Ken KobayashI)
Asia Insight

From India and Pakistan to Indonesia, Asia set for election-packed 2024

Over a billion people will be voting but democracy questions cloud some races

26 December 2023
U.S. Army soldiers perform pre-launch checks on a Patriot missile launcher at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Air Force) 
Indo-Pacific

Japan's Patriot-missile transfer to U.S. stuns Indo-Pacific watchers

Biden's focus on Ukraine undermines deterrence against China, analysts say

23 December 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, with Henry Kissinger in Beijing in 2018: A lingering Kissingerian mindset still crimps U.S. policy toward an increasingly muscular China. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

Kissinger's corrosive legacy still weighs on U.S. policy in Asia

Strategy of aiding China's rise has come back to bite Washington and its allies

22 December 2023
Chairman Jin Roy Ryu of the Federation of Korean Industries speaks to reporters in Seoul on Dec. 21. (Photo courtesy of FKI)
International relations

South Korea business lobby seeks regular meetings with U.S., Japan

Chairman Jin Roy Ryu calls for talks on chip and EV supply chains

22 December 2023
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces conduct a drill involving Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles in August 2017.
Defense

Japan weighs allowing Patriot missile transfers to aid Ukraine

Rule change would give U.S. flexibility with arms requested to refill stockpile

21 December 2023
Polls show a majority of young voters opposes U.S. President Joe Biden's stance on Israel.
Middle East crisis

Biden grapples to find right path on Gaza amid voter discontent

News media shift tone toward cease-fire, negotiated Hamas exit

20 December 2023
From left, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meet in San Francisco in November. The countries seek to bolster cooperation in the face of security challenges in East Asia.
Defense

U.S., Japan, South Korea start sharing missile information in real time

North Korean advances spur push for quicker, more accurate analysis

20 December 2023
A Patriot missile defense system near the Defense Ministry in Tokyo. (Photo by Yoshiyuki Tamai)
Defense

Japan seen fulfilling U.S. request for Patriot missiles

Move would mark 1st lethal weapon shipment under rules adopted in 2014

20 December 2023
U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson displays America’s military might in Southeast Asia amid a spat between China and the Philippines in the region's disputed waters. (Photo by Dylan Loh)
Defense

U.S. aircraft carrier calls at Singapore as China, Philippines spar

Nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson projects might amid South China Sea dispute

19 December 2023
The U.S. Air Force has been deploying the F-35 and other fighter jets in Okinawa as part of a rotational force. 
Defense

U.S. weighs returning smaller permanent fighter force to Okinawa

American lawmaker questions rational for downsizing as China threat grows

18 December 2023
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach says the U.S. Air Force is stepping up construction at the Tinian North airfield, on the Pacific island of Tinian. (U.S. Air Force)
Interview

U.S. to reclaim WWII airfield in Pacific, clearing jungle by summer

Air force general hopes for more trilateral exercises with Japan, South Korea

17 December 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Nov. 15.
Taiwan elections

Xi's unification ambitions loom in Taiwan presidential vote

Island finds itself caught between Chinese and American interests

15 December 2023
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is laying out an agenda for next year intend to prevent misunderstandings with China.
US-China tensions

U.S. will focus on preventing escalation with China in 2024: Yellen

Treasury secretary plans 2nd trip to China to bolster communication

15 December 2023
Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng (right) shakes hands with Connie Mae Sweeris, one of the nine table tennis players who visited China in 1971. (Photo by Ken Moriyasu) 
US-China tensions

Chinese envoy to U.S. revives ping-pong diplomacy after 52 years

Ambassador Xie Feng says 'no reason competitors can't be friends'

14 December 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on June 23.
Indo-Pacific

Biden won't visit India next month for parade and Quad: U.S. official

Proximity to State of the Union and primaries restrict foreign travel

14 December 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at an IPEF event in California in November: Forging an expanded coalition will require the U.S. to change its leadership style.
Opinion

U.S. and allies must expand their circle of friends

Challenge of supporting global order has to be shared more widely

13 December 2023
President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference in November following a deal between Hamas and Israel to swap hostages and prisoners.
Politics

Biden changes tone on Israel amid declining poll numbers

President's handling of war in Gaza risks alienating young voters

13 December 2023
Vietnamese Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, right, welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hanoi on Dec. 12. (Photo by Bui Lam Khanh)
12 December 2023