China and Vietnam agree to ‘maintain peace and stability’ in disputed South China Sea

China and Vietnam agree to ‘maintain peace and stability’ in disputed South China Sea

China and Vietnam released a joint statement saying that they would work together to maintain “peace and stability” in the South China Sea.  Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi after the disputed waterway was widely discussed at the ASEAN summit over the weekend.  Both nations had clashes at sea in […]

China bans North Korean tourism ahead of Trump visit, but was it just a ploy?

China bans North Korean tourism ahead of Trump visit, but was it just a ploy?

In what could be a significant financial blow to Kim Jong Un’s North Korean regime, China ordered an immediate halt to Chinese tourism to the reclusive state one day prior to President Trump’s arrival as a part of his Indo-Pacific tour. A number of tourism companies based out of the Chinese city Dandong, which shares […]

Navy, acknowledging fault in rash of collisions, begins implementing changes in the Pacific

Navy, acknowledging fault in rash of collisions, begins implementing changes in the Pacific

In the wake of the release of the U.S Navy investigation into collisions between American warships and merchant vessels over the past year, senior leadership within America’s seaward military branch announced a number of changes intended to prevent such tragic mistakes from occurring again in the future. In June, the USS Fitzgerald collided with a […]

North Korean troops being treated for radiation indicates test site may already be leaking

North Korean troops being treated for radiation indicates test site may already be leaking

On September 3rd, North Korea conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test to date.  The dual-stage device was a first for Kim’s regime, who had previously only been able to harness the power of traditional atomic bombs.  The successful detonation of the country’s first hydrogen bomb had a reverberating effect throughout the world, as nations […]

Iceland’s Elections: Russia, NATO, and Arctic Resources

Iceland’s Elections: Russia, NATO, and Arctic Resources

Iceland—In yet another European election Icelanders flocked to the polls to decide their nation’s future. Could the result spell trouble for NATO and U.S. interests in the Arctic? First some background. In the Second World War, the Allies had a strategically vital base in the small island nation. The Allied supply convoys from North America […]

China reportedly foils North Korean plot to assassinate nephew of Supreme Leader

China reportedly foils North Korean plot to assassinate nephew of Supreme Leader

According to reports out of the region, two North Korean agents were taken into custody in China after law enforcement foiled a plot to assassinate the nephew of North Korea’s Supreme Leader, Kim Jong un. Kim Han-sol, the target of the alleged assassination attempt, is the eldest son of the now deceased Kim Jong-nam, who was […]

China successfully tests near-silent submarine propulsion technology

China successfully tests near-silent submarine propulsion technology

Back in 1990, “The Hunt for Red October” presented American moviegoers with a unique perspective into the Soviet military.  Far from the traditional Storm Trooper vilification of most Cold War era depictions of Russians, Sean Connery’s Marko Ramius was, in many ways, the hero of the film, despite his role as a senior leader in […]

Taiwan’s President Arrives in Hawaii Amid Chinese Protests

Taiwan’s President Arrives in Hawaii Amid Chinese Protests

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is on a trip to visit and strengthen its support among its allies its diplomatic allies in the Pacific, stopped over in Hawaii despite strong objections from China. The Chinese considered Taiwan, part of their territory, despite the Taiwanese having a self-governed body ruling it. The Taiwanese have been in control […]

The ivory trade and terrorism: al-Shabaab’s potential diversionary source of income

The ivory trade and terrorism: al-Shabaab’s potential diversionary source of income

This idea has been floating around the internet for a while now–documents and reports, articles and social media posts–referring to the the ivory trade as a source of funding for terrorism. Al-Shabaab has allegedly been using the ivory trade to finance their terrorist organization, some reports claiming up to 40% of their operations. This is […]

Chinese Troops Meet Xi After Major Reshuffle in Government

Chinese Troops Meet Xi After Major Reshuffle in Government

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged his military’s leaders to improve modernization, fight the rampant corruption and have the Chinese military a world-class power by the middle of the century. Meeting senior military leaders for the first time since the country’s new leadership was unveiled for all to see, Xi, who heads the military as well […]