South China Sea Dispute
Backgrounder: The People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM)
Exploring the history, composition, and tactics of the ‘little blue men’ of China’s littoral waters – the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia.
Timeline: The Downward Spiral of China-Australia Relations
Chronicling the events that led to the present low point in China-Australia relations.
UK-France Joint Action Key to European Relevance in the Indo-Pacific
Only through joint action can France and the UK leverage their full strategic weight in the South China Sea dispute.
G7 Reinvents Itself as Democratic Bulwark in London
The G7’s sprawling new communique portrays the bloc as a democratic bulwark against creeping authoritarianism.
US to Rebuild China Policy from the Ground Up
Amid growing calls for a new approach to the challenged posed by China, President Biden has initiated a policy rethink. Here’s what the new US posture might look like.
Biden’s Vision of US-China Relations Begins to Take Shape
Recent comments by the US president-elect suggest that Beijing will soon need to grapple with its worst-case scenario.
Decoding Duterte’s Shifting Stance on the South China Sea Dispute
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, often labeled ‘soft’ on Beijing, has recently adopted tougher rhetoric on the South China Sea. Yet though more critical of China, the tone has remained noticeably diplomatic.
White House Transition to Continue Trajectory of US-Vietnam Relations
![Vice President Biden shakes hands with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at a luncheon at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on July 7, 2015. [State Department Photo/Public Domain], cc Flickr US Department of State, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vice_President_Biden_Shakes_Hands_With_General_Secretary_Nguyen_Phu_Trong_at_a_Luncheon_at_the_State_Department_(18883780193).jpg](https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vice_President_Biden_Shakes_Hands_With_General_Secretary_Nguyen_Phu_Trong_at_a_Luncheon_at_the_State_Department_18883780193-768x369.jpg "Vice President Biden shakes hands with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at a luncheon at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on July 7, 2015. [State Department Photo/Public Domain], cc Flickr US Department of State, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vice_President_Biden_Shakes_Hands_With_General_Secretary_Nguyen_Phu_Trong_at_a_Luncheon_at_the_State_Department_(18883780193).jpg")
A President Biden would be unlikely to hit the ‘reset’ button in US-China relations, which suggests progress in Washington’s partnership with Hanoi.
Vietnam Economy Well Positioned for Post-COVID Surge
Vietnam is one of few nations expecting positive GDP growth in 2020. Given its apt handling of COVID-19 and ongoing US-China tensions, the country is now well placed to lead Southeast Asia’s economic recovery.
Fostering Vietnam-Australia Defense Ties Matters for Both Sides
With increasing overlap in their defense and trade interests, it only makes sense that Vietnam and Australia take the next step in their bilateral relationship.