NATO on a risky course

Written by Uwe Hoering

With every further escalation, the pressure to close ranks, to form hostile blocs and thus the danger of a military confrontation grows.

What does the forced deportation of Afghan refugees hold for Pakistan?

Written by Mansoor Sadat

Options for returnees are limited. Faced with a repressive regime in Afghanistan, many risk fleeing once again, potentially taking dangerous, illegal routes to other countries in search of safety.

South Asia, Emerging Issues9DLNovember 5, 2024Afghanistan, Pakistan, 9Dashline, Mansoor Sadat, What does the forced deportation of Afghan refugees hold for Pakistan?, refugees

South Korea's midterm election tests democratic resilience

Written by Dr Hannes B. Mosler

The short-term challenge of this election is to prevent a conservative majority in parliament, lest the current autocratic episode in South Korean democracy turn into a post-democratic vortex.

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“Whatever it takes”? Securing the return of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea

Written by Dr James Kaizuka

“Whatever it takes” ultimately means squaring the circle of North Korea’s likely demands with what the Japanese public is willing to accept as an offering to a dictatorship which may well use any inducement against it in the future.

Faultlines, East Asia9DLMarch 14, 2024“Whatever it takes”? Securing the return of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, Dr James Kaizuka, 9Dashline, Japan, North Korea, 2024 Noto Earthquake, South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, Kim Jong-un, Kishida Fumio, Japan North Korea Summit, Kim Jong-il, abductions, North Korea missile tests, North Korea Nuclear Weapons

Navigating the tides: Reassessing the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy

Written by Dr Gorana Grgic

Drawing upon member states’ existing strategies in the region, the EU's strategy tactfully treads a fine line — seeking greater assertiveness while preserving space for cooperation, even in its dealings with China.

Europe and the Indo-Pacific9DLJanuary 16, 2024Navigating the tides: Reassessing the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy, 9Dashline, China, EU-China Summit 2023, Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine war, United States, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Israel-Hamas conflict, EU-US coordination, Gorana Grgic

Building a safe shared future for the People’s Republic of China

Written by Dr Sari Arho Havrén

China has already made considerable progress in planting the seeds of an international order that would make the future safe for its one-party rule at home by insulating it from outside threats.

BIMSTEC revival: A compelling alternative to the BRI in the Bay of Bengal

Written by Eve Register

It will be important for BIMSTEC to learn from the mistakes of the BRI if it is to work as a viable alternative for countries in the Bay of Bengal region.

How the UK supports regional order in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Dr Thomas Wilkins

Despite dangers closer to home and straitened finances, London does appear to be committed to the region, even if the implementation of some aspects of its new strategic approach remains patchy.

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Walking a tightrope: Balancing research security concerns with a need for China competence

Written by Dr Hannes Gohli

To make judgements on research security, but also business transactions and diplomatic relations with China, establishing a knowledge base on the country is of vital importance. Yet precisely at this critical moment, when European governments are calling for more China competence, student numbers in Sinology are declining.

Forum: The Israel-Palestine conflict and the Indo-Pacific

Recent events have again shaken the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine leading to new unspeakable levels of suffering.

Here, 9DASHLINE brings together a group of experts to provide us with a view from the Indo-Pacific and explore the conflict’s significance for the region.

The global politics of Barbenheimer

Written by Dr Rhys Crilley

Barbenheimer offers a focus onto subjects that define our modern moment, such as the dominance of patriarchy that ruins the lives of women and men across the planet, the anxiety and existentialism of modern life, and the existence of nuclear weapons that threaten to destroy it.

How does the Philippines make sense of future warfare?

Written by Joshua Bernard Espeña

Philippine political leaders must carefully understand what multidomain warfare implies for national security; military leaders must do what they can to show the risks of not understanding it.

The strawman defence is torching Taiwan’s military

Written by Michael Lostumbo

Taiwan should assess its existing force and all future investments and evaluate them from the lens of their warfighting potential, which should be the primary focus for their military.

Strategic competition in the South Pacific and its implications for New Zealand

Written by Dr Reuben Steff

While China’s activities are concerning, it should be made clear to Beijing that NZ’s and others’ responses in the security sphere are dependent on China’s approach to the region.

Is the South Korea-Japan-US summit a breakthrough?

Written by Abhishek Sharma

The trilateral summit is a stepping stone towards countering the DPRK and strengthening regional security; however, its success will only be judged in the face of changing politics in the respective capitals.

Struggling brand “Bhutan”

Written by Dr Lhawang Ugyel

Perhaps it is time for the world to step up and convince Bhutan that its values are worth standing up for by investing in a sustainable economy premised around the well-being of its individuals.