Below is a guest contribution by Brad Nelson from CWCP. A few days ago political scientist and Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer made an astute point on Twitter: “Hillary/Donilon/Geither to Kerry/Rice/Lew. Lots, lots less Asia focus in 2nd term Obama team. Let’s hope Xi Jinping doesn’t notice.” I think Bremmer’s assessment is spot on. Practically all of the...
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Japan’s MSDF leads and China’s PLA(N) follows
In among Japan’s much more proactive approach to Southeast Asia, including stronger commitments of aid and security cooperation to Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam, and increased tension over the Senkaku islands due to developments in Japan’s domestic politics, you could be forgiven for thinking that Japan and China have completely burned their bridges in the last...
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Mother of All War Games Planned by China, Russia, Iran and Syria
China, Russia, Iran and Syria plan to stage the "biggest joint war game in the Middle East” ever next month, with 90,000 troops, 400 warplanes, 1,000 tanks, and a slew of warships and submarines to take part.
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South Korea’s $1.1 Billion Dollar Submarine Deal with Indonesia on Thin Ice
A sudden $300 million jump in costs may cause the Type 209 Submarine contract to slip through Seoul's fingers.
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Dispatch Japan: The US “pivot” towards East Asia
Peter Ennis at Dispatch Japan has wrapped-up a series on the thoughts of four important Washington DC foreign policy experts on the Obama administration’s much touted “East Asia pivot.” It makes for interesting reading. Read over some of the highlights from the interviews below and click on the links for the full interviews. Senator Jim Webb,...
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South Korean Defense Industry Suffers First Major Defeat of 2012
Israel has picked Italy over South Korea for a 30-order supply of new supersonic fighter training aircraft.
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South Korea and Turkey Considering Cooperation on Atak Helicopter and K-FX Fighter Jet Projects
President Lee Myung-bak's visit to Turkey saw the ROK angling for cooperation with Ankara in the development of attack helicopters and fighter jets.
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Boeing angling to offer South Korea F-15SA variant, but F-15K problems persist
Boeing's participation in South Korea's FX-III fighter acquisition bidding will likely remain a roller coaster ride.
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South Korea’s T-50 Golden Eagle sees increased attention abroad in 2012
South Korea’s advanced training aircraft, the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, is increasing its profile internationally in 2012
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South Korea Strengthens Defense Ties with Saudi Arabia, Secures New Crude Oil Supply
President Lee is heading home with both a pledge from the Saudi government of a secure oil supply and a foot in the door to new venues for South Korean arms sales.
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North Korea goes retro, developing modern version of V-1 buzz bomb as Unmanned Attack Aircraft
Kim Jong Un’s turn as nostalgic replacement for his late grandfather, Kim Il-Sung, wasn’t the only bit of “history made new again” to come out of North Korea this week. North Korea has acquired US-made MQM-107 Streaker target drones from the Middle East and is seeking to use them as a basis for an unmanned...
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