Territory & Conflict

China’s navy launched a long-range ballistic missile on Monday, July 6, from a nuclear-powered submarine into Pacific waters. China’s state news agency Xinhua said the missile carried a simulated nuclear warhead, adding that the Chinese military did not specify where exactly the missile landed.   The launch triggered protests and concern across the region. For Southeast Asia, the most important question is not only where the mi...

The Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore is Asia’s leading security forum, but this year it revealed more divergence than consensus. The main divide was not between the United States and China, but between Washington and several Southeast Asian governments over how regional security should be understood.   Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun was absent for a second consecutive year. That created more space for US messaging, but it did not ...

Malaysia has entered a new chapter in its defense strategy after officially deploying Turkish-made ANKA-S drones on June 19, 2026. The aircraft are now operating from Labuan Air Base, a key military facility located near the South China Sea. The move comes as countries across the region increase efforts to monitor busy shipping lanes and disputed maritime areas.   The drone acquisition, reportedly valued at RM 423.8 million, highlights Mal...

For decades, the Indo-Pacific was defined by oceans. Today, it is being increasingly defined by islands.   From Japan and Taiwan to the Philippines and Indonesia, a vast island chain cuts across the western Pacific and some of the world's busiest sea lanes. As strategic competition between China and the United States intensifies, these islands are emerging as critical pieces of a regional security network that could shape the future of Asi...

A new defense agreement between the United States and Indonesia has put one of the world's most important shipping routes under a spotlight. The Major Defense Cooperation Partnership aims to strengthen maritime security near the Strait of Malacca, a key waterway that carries about 25% of global seaborne trade. While officials describe the deal as a security measure, analysts are debating its wider impact on regional politics and economic competit...