Crossroads of Competition
China in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
Thailand
Who’s afraid of China? Palau inauguration calls bluff of ‘friends to all, enemies to none’
For all the regional talk of “Pacific family” and “friends to all enemies to none” who did – and who didn’t – show up for the Jan. 16 inauguration of Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr....
Op-eds
Deconstructing the Inauguration: No, not that one
We have a country that is geopolitically sophisticated, with close ties to the U.S., Japan and Taiwan, and is in a highly strategic location. So who showed up to Palau’s party, and who didn’t?
Op-eds
Back in Business: Russian ‘Merchant of Death’ Selling Arms to Houthis
The prolific Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, released from American custody in 2022 as part of a U.S.-Russia prisoner swap, is once again plying his old trade, this time selling arms to Yemen’s...
Policy Briefs
Iran’s Foreign Minister in Lebanon amid war with Hezbollah
Iran's top diplomat is in Lebanon, but what does that mean for the current conflict in the Middle East?
Op-eds
Iran’s president heads for Qatar as Iran’s army trains with Oman
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is heading to Qatar for the 19th Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties amid Iran’s ongoing regional maneuvers.
Op-eds
November Ceasefire in Gaza Collapsed After Hamas Lied About Female Hostages
Israeli media reported on September 18 that the week-long ceasefire in November — which saw Hamas release 81 Israeli hostages — collapsed after the terrorist group relayed false...
Flash Briefs
Swift U.S. Response Needed to Contain Mpox Outbreak in Africa
The director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on August 14 due to a surge in cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox,...
Policy Briefs
U.S. Charges Pakistani Man With Iran-Backed Plot to Assassinate Government Officials
The United States charged a Pakistani national with a thwarted Iran-backed plot to assassinate American government officials, the U.S. Justice Department disclosed on August 6. The...
Flash Briefs
Iran Plots Assassination of Trump
Latest Developments Iran plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump in recent weeks, U.S. authorities told CNN in a July 16 report. Unrelated to the failed assassination attempt against Trump...
Flash Briefs
Seventeen Countries Urge Hamas to Accept Ceasefire Proposal
The United States and 16 other countries whose citizens are being held captive by Hamas in Gaza signed a statement on June 6 calling on the Iran-backed terror organization to accept...
Flash Briefs
FIFA Is Latest Target of Palestinian Hijacking
The Palestinian political intifada reached FIFA, soccer’s governing body, last Friday. Cloaked in the language of justice and human rights, the Palestinian FIFA delegation continued its decades-long...
Op-eds
Egypt Seeks Hostage Negotiations Breakthrough
Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel met his Israeli counterpart David Barnea on April 26 to continue deadlocked negotiations over a potential deal to free the hostages still in Hamas captivity...
Flash Briefs
Hamas Obstructs Hostage Negotiations
Hamas rejected all proposals and expanded demands during recent hostage negotiations, Israeli and American officials said on April 14, 15, and 16. Hamas rejected the latest Gaza...
Flash Briefs
Iran has ten ways to attack Israel; which one will it choose?
Iran's vowed punishment of Israel might manifest either through proxies or direct means, including ballistic missiles and drones.
Op-eds
NATO Isn’t Defending Guam, But Others Are
NATO provisions don’t include security guarantees for American Pacific Territories. But other U.S. treaty allies do—which is why this week’s meetings in D.C. are so important
Op-eds
Hamas Rejects Another Ceasefire Offer
Hamas rejected the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal on April 4, refusing to compromise on its maximalist position. “We are committed to our demands,” Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh...
Flash Briefs
Hamas Poised to Respond to Latest Ceasefire Proposal
Israeli negotiators departed Cairo on April 2, concluding the latest round of talks with Egyptian and Qatari mediators for a deal that would see Hamas free the remaining hostages....
Flash Briefs
Cairo Truce Talks Falter as Hamas Stalls
The latest round of Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks ended fruitlessly on March 7, with Hamas failing to provide details on hostages it holds in Gaza. The Palestinian terrorist group...
Flash Briefs
Prospects for War With Hezbollah Drawing ‘Closer,’ Israeli Defense Minister Says
Hezbollah’s continued attacks on Israel are bringing the two closer to war, warned Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on March 5. “We are committed to the diplomatic process....