By James Hurndell U.S. ambassador to Fiji Frankie Reed on October 30 announced that the United States would lift sanctions on Fiji and seek opportunities for reengagement with the Fijian military. While Fiji has an operationally experienced and sizeable military…
By John Schaus As heads of state seek good-news deliverables at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, East Asia Summit, and Group of 20 leaders’ meetings, a longer-term issue is shaping the drivers of peace and conflict in maritime Southeast Asia. Growing…
By John Hamre As President Obama travels on a crucial trip to the region for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, East Asia Summit, and G-20 meeting, the United States and all of the countries in the region are faced…
By Carl Thayer After a tense six months, China-Vietnam relations took a major step toward mending with the unexpected three-day visit to Beijing by a 13-member high-level Vietnamese military delegation from October 16-18, led by Minister of National Defense General…
By Dongwon Kim On October 23, 2014, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and United States will hold the 46th annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Washington D.C. where both sides will make a final decision on the delay of the…
Who is he? Gerry Brownlee is a lawmaker with New Zealand’s National Party, representing the Christchurch suburb of Ilam. He is the third-ranking member of Prime Minister John Key’s cabinet and his portfolio includes managing the government’s legislative agenda and…
By Brandon Cleary Any military support given to the Iranian government enhances its ability to protect its investments, deter oversight of its activities and, in turn, degrade the current sanctions regime imposed on the country. This calculation is as clear…
By Zachary Abuza There has been significant media attention about Vietnam’s acquisition of six Russian-made Kilo-class submarines. Two have been delivered and are going through training runs. One is undergoing sea trials in Russia while the last three will be…
Who is he? General Thanasak Patimaprakorn has been Thailand’s chief of defense forces, a post previously known as the supreme commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, since September 2011. He is charged with overseeing combat readiness and commanding military…
By Truong-Minh Vu & Nguyen Thanh Trung Communist Party of Vietnam official Le Hong Anh recently wrapped up his two-day visit to China as a special envoy of the party chief in an effort to mend ties after the oil…
