Latest Articles about China and the Asia-Pacific
Advances in PLA Air Defense Capabilities Challenge Strategic Balance in Asia
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has made considerable progress since the end of the Cold War in constructing a modern integrated air defense system (IADS), using a diverse range of primarily Russian but also domestic technologies. As this system matures over the next decade, it... MORE
Sino-Pakistani Defense Relations and the War on Terrorism
Concurrent with Pakistan’s often tumultuous military relationship with the United States is a growing and highly amicable economic and military relationship with China that poses vital questions regarding Pakistan’s future approach to the War on Terrorism. While suspicion of American motives runs high in Pakistan,... MORE
The Triborder Sea Area: Maritime Southeast Asia’s Ungoverned Space
Since the al-Qaeda attacks of September 11, maritime security analysts in the Asia-Pacific region have focused their attention on the Strait of Malacca and the potential for a major terrorist strike in this vital artery of world trade. Preoccupation with the Strait of Malacca has... MORE
Thailand Cracks Down on Southern Militants
Government efforts to resolve the ongoing violence in Thailand's four southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla—which has claimed the lives of 2,400 people since January 2004—continue to emphasize a three-pronged strategy of reconciliation, improving socio-economic conditions and counter-insurgency (COIN) operations. Over the past... MORE
MILF Seeks Leverage as Fighting Against Abu Sayyaf and MNLF Escalates
On August 3, U.S. federal agents arrested Rahmat Abdhir, a 43-year old dual Malaysian national working as a computer engineer in California. In the 16-count indictment, he was charged with providing material support to a designated terrorist, Zulkiflir Abdhir (aka Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan)—a... MORE
Obstacles to Closer Counter-Terrorism Coordination in Malacca Straits
According to a variety of observers around the globe, the chances for a terrorist attack in the Straits of Malacca remain high. The fact that the Straits play such a key role in the global economy increases this probability. Not only do the Straits see... MORE
Indonesia Neutralizes JI as Immediate Threat
Last week's capture of top Islamist militants Yusron Mahmudi (known as Abu Dujana) and Zarkasih (known as Nu'aim and Abu Irsyad) by Indonesian authorities has important implications for Jemaah Islamiya (JI). Both men have been involved in militancy since before JI's inception in 1992, and... MORE
The Role of Foreign Trainers in Southern Thailand’s Insurgency
The first five months of 2007 have seen a dramatic increase in both the lethality and brutality of the Thai insurgency, prompting numerous Thai military officials to suspect the growing presence of foreign trainers. The arrest of an Indonesian on May 19 further raised suspicions.... MORE
China’s Displeasure with North Korea’s Missile Tests
Conventional wisdom in Washington has stated that Beijing, if it wished to do so, could easily persuade Pyongyang to return to the Six-Party Talks and possibly even renounce its nuclear weapons program. This belief has only been bolstered by the statements of Chinese spokesmen who... MORE
Emergency Decree Extended in Southern Thailand
A series of violent attacks in Thailand's southern provinces between March 14 and April 14 seemed to reinforce disturbing trends in the ongoing insurgency. First, bombing attacks perpetrated by the insurgents have become more frequent, sophisticated and deadly. Second, women and children are increasingly becoming... MORE