United States / US
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Northeast Asia
Indo-Pacific partners prepare for bioweapons threats
Felix Kim Indo-Pacific Allies and Partners remain alert to the threat of biological and chemical weapons, with a recent report citing North Korea and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as well as Iran and Russia, as countries of concern. In response, like-minded nations are reinforcing military preparedness to protect civilians in the event of an attack from state or…
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Conflicts - Tensions
PRC’s illegal fishing, aggressive activities continue to draw scrutiny
FORUM Staff The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) increased bullying in the South China Sea comes as the United States, its Allies and Partners proceed with a five-year investment to aid the region’s maritime security and its response to illegal fishing, sovereignty threats and other challenges. The Quadrilateral (Quad) partnership of Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. announced the multilateral…
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Northeast Asia
South Korea, U.S. sharpen deterrence plans over North Korean nuclear threat
The Associated Press South Korea and the United States in mid-November 2023 updated a bilateral security agreement to more effectively counter North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats. The move followed high-level talks in Seoul, South Korea, where the allies also discussed enhancing trilateral defense exercises with Japan and improving information-sharing on North Korean missile launches. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was…
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Conflicts - Tensions
India, U.S. reaffirm security ties as top diplomats, defense officials hold talks
The Associated Press India and the United States underlined their commitment to boosting security ties as their top diplomats and defense chiefs held talks in mid-November 2023 on regional security, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the wars in Europe and the Middle East. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Indian…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Philippines joins Japan-led naval drills as encounters with PRC rise in disputed South China Sea
The Associated Press Japan led an annual multinational naval exercise in November 2023 that included the Philippines as a first-time observer, as Philippine Coast Guard vessels are increasingly harassed by People’s Republic of China (PRC) ships in the disputed South China Sea. The Annualex exercise off Japan’s coast, which also included Australia, Canada and the United States, aims to enhance interoperability among…
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Oceania
French, U.S. Marines train together in Tahiti
FORUM Staff United States Marines gained hands-on tactical experience in operating with their French counterparts recently on the Pacific island of Tahiti, which is part of French Polynesia. The Marine Infantry Regiment, French Armed Forces, led members of Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, through classes and training August 27 to September 9, 2023, in the town…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
U.S. drone aircraft relocate to Okinawa, enhance East China Sea surveillance
FORUM Staff Eight United States Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones are moving almost 700 kilometers south to U.S. Forces Japan’s Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, in Japan’s southwestern islands. The remote-controlled aircraft, previously deployed to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Kanoya Air Base in Kagoshima, are used mostly for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). Tokyo is concerned about the Chinese…
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Global Commons
Strategic bomber mission strengthens ROK-U.S. security alliance
U.S. Strategic Command A year of historic moments in the 70-year-old Republic of Korea (ROK)-United States Alliance continued when a nuclear-capable U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress landed on the Korean Peninsula in mid-October 2023 to participate in the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX). The iconic long-range bomber performed flyovers to demonstrate the U.S.’s commitment to the stability and…
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Climate
Australian, U.S. leaders pledge innovation alliance, defense cooperation
FORUM Staff Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and United States President Joe Biden reaffirmed their nations’ strategic and economic alliance as Albanese visited Washington, D.C., in late October 2023. The leaders announced steps to bolster cyber resilience, technological collaboration, the green energy transition and multilateral defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. They also emphasized commitments to advancing prosperity and resilience in…
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Northeast Asia
ROK, U.S. troops train with drones, laser sensors
Reuters Republic of Korea (ROK) and United States troops held joint future combat drills involving drones, an uncrewed vehicle and wearable laser sensors in late October 2023, as the ROK military conducts its annual Hoguk exercises to enhance responses to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. Soldiers from the longtime allies joined forces for urban warfare drills at the Korea…
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