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.
- Howard French in The Atlantic explores whether China's growing assertiveness reflects a rising power, or a government seeking legitimacy.
- Taiwan's construction of a harbour on Taiping Island in the contested Spratly Islands is continuing.
- A veteran Japanese diplomat, Hideo Tarumi, has reportedly been sent to China to continue talks on a possible meeting between Prime Minister Abe and Xi Jinping.
- Earlier this month, the US partially lifted its lethal arms ban on Vietnam. The Economist breaks down the events leading up to the reversal. Also, Joshua Kurlantzick at CFR has written a two-part blog post arguing that the US is making 'the right move'.
- Nawaz Sharif's and Narendra Modi's visits to the US were very different, says Michael Krepon, but both were mired by the issue of Kashmir.
- In a fairly underreported incident, a Chinese fisherman was killed by the South Korean Coast Guard last week.
- Lastly, follow live updates on the student protests in Hong Kong from the South China Morning Post.
The Lowy Institute International Security program's work on Indo-Pacific security is supported by two grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.