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.
- Feng Zhang in Foreign Policy on what he see's as China's ambitions beyond just island building in the South China Sea.
- Is a new canal in Nicaragua being built to allow Chinese submarines to secretly pass from the Pacific to the Atlantic?
- US allies in the Indo-Pacific are happy that the passing of the TPP is back on track in the US Congress.
- With the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue this week, here is George Soros on why the US needs to form a partnership with China in order to avoid war.
- With the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan this week, leaders from both countries spoke on the need to leave behind historical disputes.
- A great new book by journalist Lee Hark-joon is out on North Korean defectors.
- 'Separate' but 'simultaneous' naval exercises between the US, Japan and the Philippines started this week.
- Finally, most likely foreshadowing how China will become a major topic in the 2016 US presidential race, Donald Trump seems to have it nailed down already: 'I beat China all the time.'