Territory & Conflict

A Dutch warship arriving in Manila and renewed defense talks between Indonesia and France are sending a message across Southeast Asia that Europe wants to play a stronger role in the Indo-Pacific.   On May 23, the Philippine Navy welcomed the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS de Ruyter in Manila as part of the Pacific Archer deployment. The visit highlighted the close cooperation between the Netherlands and the Philippines and their joi...

China is once again increasing pressure in the South China Sea and near Taiwan. On May 24, it mobilized an estimated 100 fishing vessels in what can be described as a coordinated maritime militia operation. The large-scale deployment has intensified fears about shipping security and military escalation across Asia.   The vessels were reportedly part of maritime militia training connected to China’s broader military strategy. Hundreds...

May 2026 has been a pivotal month in Indo-Pacific. China has continued to increase pressure across the region through maritime confrontations, military exercises, and efforts to shape critical shipping routes. In response, regional powers including Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India have moved closer together, strengthening security ties around shared strategic concerns.   As these partnerships deepen, maritime disputes ...

Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia continue to draw attention as political debate and security concerns grow along shared frontier areas. The long-running disputes involve unclear boundary lines, local community pressure, and national pride, making resolution difficult and slow.   Historical disagreements between Cambodia and Thailand stem from colonial-era mapping decisions and shifting territorial interpretations. These issues...

Southeast Asia is increasingly discussing a Taiwan contingency with more confidence than its strategic position justifies. The assumption that US military power would automatically stabilize the region is no longer reliable. Yet many governments still treat the main challenge of a Taiwan crisis as a civilian evacuation problem. In reality, evacuation would only be the beginning. The more difficult phase would come afterward, when external powers ...