Vietnam
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Global Commons
Weapons expo helps Vietnam boost domestic defense industry, reduce reliance on Russian arms
Reuters Vietnam showcased locally made weapons at an international defense fair in Hanoi as it seeks to boost its arms industry and lessen its reliance on Russian military equipment. Top defense companies from Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific were among the nearly 250 exhibitors at the mid-December 2024 fair at Gia Lam Airport. Vietnam’s National Defence Ministry holds…
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Partnerships
U.S. providing aircraft, boats to help Vietnam counter illegal fishing, enhance defenses
Reuters The United States will provide $12.5 million to Vietnam to enhance its maritime law enforcement capabilities and combat illegal fishing, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi said. The assistance includes support for Vietnamese maritime law enforcement agencies, the donation of small boats and development of training facilities. Vietnam is among several Southeast Asian nations that have accused People’s Republic of…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Beijing extends its coercive campaign against neighbors
FORUM Staff Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders complain about a rules-based order in which Beijing did not make the rules. By refusing to accept international laws that protect the global economy and the security of his Indo-Pacific neighbors, CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping offers a preview of the authoritarian system he favors. Coercive CCP military activity in and around the…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
CCP coercion stands in stark contrast to Coast Guard cooperation by Allies and Partners
FORUM Staff An increasingly aggressive coast guard signals the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) willingness to risk escalation in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, analysts say. Meanwhile, like-minded nations are cooperating to uphold stability in the region. Rather than focusing on traditional law enforcement missions targeting smugglers or providing search and rescue, the CCP has militarized coast guard ships…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Vietnam condemns the PRC for assaulting its fishermen in South China Sea
The Associated Press Vietnam has accused Chinese law enforcement personnel of assaulting 10 Vietnamese fishermen, damaging their fishing gear and seizing about four tons of fish in late September 2024 near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The fishermen reported the assault near the Chinese-controlled islands by radio but did not identify the attackers. Vietnam later identified…
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Partnerships
Indonesia-Vietnam meetings signal enhanced defense, regional security cooperation
Tom Abke Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s recent visit to Vietnam marked a significant step in strengthening defense ties between the two Southeast Asian nations as they prepare to upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2025. Prabowo met with Vietnamese leaders, including recently appointed President Tô Lâm, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman…
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Partnerships
Indo-Pacific Endeavour links Australia with Allies and Partners for military exercises, training
FORUM Staff Legal workshops on security issues hosted in Sri Lanka recently kicked off Indo-Pacific Endeavour 24 (IPE), Australia’s five-month engagement involving 14 countries across Southeast Asia and the northeast Indian Ocean. Australian ships, aircraft and personnel deployed to individual countries for military exercises, training, workshops, and cultural and athletic activities. IPE, which runs from August to December 2024, covers…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Hanoi, Tokyo deepen cooperation with new defense agreements, equipment transfers
Felix Kim Japan and Vietnam are bolstering their defense relations in light of shared security threats largely involving maritime territorial incursions by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). New defense agreements and the transfer of two search and rescue vehicles demonstrate the progress made since the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership in late 2023. A meeting between Japanese Defense…
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Features
Expanding Horizons
FORUM Staff When 200 or so Mongolian pro-democracy activists converged in Sükhbaatar Square on United Nations Human Rights Day in December 1989, there was little to portend the transformation set to unfold. From the square in the capital Ulaanbaatar, peaceful protests would sweep across the country of steppes and deserts. Within three months, Mongolia’s communist regime relinquished power after nearly…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Beijing spreads manipulated message; Philippines, Allies and Partners strengthen security
FORUM Staff With the People’s Republic of China (PRC) facing international opposition to its coercion campaign in the South China Sea, its operatives are trying to change the narrative by amplifying a debunked deepfake video. The latest high-tech hoax targeting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — a discredited clip that purports to show Marcos using an illicit drug — was…
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