South East Asia

USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Miguel Keith Conduct Operations in South China Sea

Some of the most important warships from the United States Navy were last seen within the vicinity of the contested South China Sea area. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is currently in Manila for a port visit after operations in the contested waters. USS Miguel Keith is also in …

Read More »

Iran’s foreign minister in China to pursue partnership deal

Top on the agenda is a controversial, long-term partnership pact that critics fear may effectively push the Islamic Republic into becoming a China “colony.” Iran’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, headed to the eastern Chinese city of Tunxi on March 29 to join a summit of the foreign ministers …

Read More »

PLA Navy’s upgraded J-11B fighter jet joins S.China Sea exercise

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has received delivery of an upgraded version of the J-11B fighter jet, with at least one participating in a recent mock combat exercise over the South China Sea. Organized by a brigade affiliated with the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy Aviation Force, the …

Read More »

Ukraine calls on Chinese drone maker to stop use by Russia

Ukraine is appealing to a Chinese maker of civilian drones to block what the Ukrainian government says is their use by the Russian army to target missile attacks. Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Federov’s appeal to DJI Technology Co., publicized on Twitter, highlights the tensions over Ukraine for Chinese companies. Foreign …

Read More »

US says 3 China bases in South China Sea now fully militarized

China has fully militarized at least three of its artificial islands in the South China Sea, equipping them with missile systems and fighter jets, a top U.S. commander has said. The Associated Press quoted U.S. Indo-Pacific commander Adm. John C. Aquilino as saying on Sunday that the construction of missile …

Read More »

US Indo-Pacific Command leader says China has fully militarized islands

China has fully militarized at least three of several islands it built in the disputed South China Sea, arming them with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment and fighter jets in an increasingly aggressive move that threatens all nations operating nearby, a top U.S. military commander said …

Read More »

Japan to invest $42B in India to strengthen economic ties

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday said his country will invest $42 billion in India over the next five years in a deal that is expected to boost bilateral trade. Kishida met his counterpart, Narendra Modi, in New Delhi during his maiden visit to India since assuming office. The …

Read More »

In call with Biden, Xi pans Ukraine ‘conflict,’ without assigning blame to Russia

US president questions Chinese counterpart’s support of Putin, lack of denunciation of Moscow; Beijing pushes back, calling Washington’s accusations ‘overbearing’ Key figures for a war half a world away, US President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke for nearly two hours on Friday as the White House looked to …

Read More »

UN extends Afghanistan mission for another year

The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to extend its mission to Afghanistan for one more year. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) will now continue until spring 2023 and will focus on providing humanitarian assistance, facilitating dialogue within Afghanistan and between other countries, and promoting the rule …

Read More »