Asia Pacific Security
Pacific Island links: Russian arms in Fiji, Vanuatu's election result, PNG drought and more
By Alastair Davis, an intern in the Lowy Institute's Melanesia Program.
The shipment of Russian arms received by Fiji continues to intrigue analysts. This piece by Anna Powles…
North Korea diplomacy: Irresistible forces and immovable objects
North Korea's nuclear test on 6 January was not a surprise. Over the past year the single cause for speculation was about how long Pyongyang would postpone the test.
At first…
North Korea's nuclear test not all bad news for China
Media attention since North Korea's nuclear test yesterday has been focused on the veracity of its claims to have exploded a thermonuclear device or 'hydrogen bomb'. This is…
Why China's next aircraft carrier will be based on Soviet blueprints
China has at last formally acknowledged that it has a new aircraft carrier under construction, the first to be built in China and the second in the People's Liberation Army-Navy…
Much at stake for Turnbull and the region at East Asia Summit
The 10th East Asia Summit this weekend promises to be one of the most interesting bits of summitry in some time. This, the last stop on Malcolm Turnbull’s five-nation tour which…
Australia and the US: great allies but different agendas in the South China Sea
Several posts on The Interpreter have argued recently that Australia should join the US in conducting freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea. This is not…
China-Taiwan: A rare alignment of interests
Tomorrow's meeting between President Ma of Taiwan (pictured) and President Xi of China in Singapore truly will be historic, and good history at that.
It is also a rare case in…
Innocent passage: Did the US just fumble its South China Sea strategy?
The difference between freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) and warships transiting under 'innocent passage' sounds arcane and legalistic. But this wonkish distinction…
As RAN prepares to exercise with China's navy, Australia risks a PR disaster
Australia and its Navy are in an awkward spot, caught between China and the US in the full glare of a global media spotlight shone on the South China Sea.
Two Royal Australian…
South China Sea: US Navy mission justified by China's excessive claims
After many months of intense debate inside the Obama Administration, the US conducted a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) in the South China Sea on 26 October. The destroyer…