Iran-Israel-US War Tests Japan’s Evolving Appetite for Collective Self-Defense
Can Japan send the SDF to Hormuz? The key will be how Tokyo classifies the current situation - but that is complicated by the conflict’s origin in a preempti...
Recent Activity
Recent posts
The Iran-Israel-US War Is Reconfiguring US Force Posture in the Indo-Pacific
The concentration of U.S. military assets in the Middle East is forcing allies like Japan and South Korea to ask themselves hard questions about U.S. reliabi...
Japan Is Moving to Expand Defense Exports. Constitutional Revision Is a Bigger Ask.
While most Japanese lawmakers support revising the constitution, they are more divided on what, exactly, needs to change.
Leiden Asia Centre Report: Preparing for the Actual Worst - Supporting Japanese Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Okinawa
Analysis of GOJ’s current civil protection planning (and critiques that ensue from that analysis) and lessons learned from the March 11 triple disaster IDP e...
Japan’s Southwest Islands in Focus at Latest Japan-US Defense Minister Meeting
The Japanese islands closest to Taiwan are an increasingly focal point for the Japan-U.S. alliance.
Centre for Security, Diplomacy, and Strategy Policy Brief: How to Manage a Patron’s Unpredictability? Japan and South Korea React to the New United States Administration
Analysis of how Japan and South Korea have been reacting to increased unpredictability in U.S. foreign policy.
Japan Reacts to the New US National Security Strategy
The plan codifies demands for Japan to spend more on defense and increase its capabilities – efforts Japanese officials say are already underway.
US Steps up Defense Cooperation in Southeast Asia
Washington is making progress with a range of states: from staunch ally the Philippines to newer partner Vietnam and even Cambodia, where China’s influence d...
South Korea Eyes Defense Exports to Europe, Middle East
Seoul had apparently picked two priority regions in its quest to become a top-four global defense exporter.
How Will Japan’s New Leader Approach the North Korea Problem?
Like her predecessors, Takaichi has offered a summit to resolve the abductees issue. North Korea is unlikely to be interested.
Japan Is Sending Soldiers to Lithuania to Train Ukrainian Troops
The deployment, small as it is, marks a first for Japan in several ways.
How Will a Takaichi Administration Approach Japan’s Taiwan Policy?
Takaichi Sanae is widely seen as a pro-Taiwan leader, even famously suggesting a “quasi-alliance” between the two.
South Korea Mulls the US Push for ‘Strategic Flexibility’
The top U.S. priority for alliance modernization is the one that causes the most concern for South Korea.
EU, India Advance Defense Cooperation With Naval Exercises
In addition to the increasing frequency and complexity of naval cooperation, India and the EU are growing closer politically.
Taiwan’s Government Eyes Expanded Defense Budget at 3.3% of GDP
The hike in defense spending comes amid increased threat perceptions and pressure from the U.S. for Taiwan to bolster its own capabilities.
New Zealand Tightens Defense Ties With Australia – and Beyond
The Luxon government is shoring up its relationship with its only ally, while also expanding its role in security groupings like NATO and the Five Eyes.
New RAND Report: Securing South Korea’s Critical Minerals Supply Chains Through Trilateral Cooperation
Analysis and Tools for Supply Chain Net Assessment, Supply Chain Cooperation, and Economic Security
South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Role Under Discussion in US Trade Talks
South Korea is seeking trade concessions, including on tariffs and non-trade barriers, in return for accepting the U.S. request to recalibrate the USFK’s str...
Japan-Canada Sign Security of Information Agreement
The SIA, once ratified, will enable exchanges of national security-related data and facilitate two-way defense procurements.
New RAND Report: Anticipating Allies’ Responses to U.S. Retrenchment
Lessons from Limited Military Withdrawals During the Cold War
First Day with the LeidenAsiaCentre
Find me in Leiden for the rest of 2025!
Why Did Japan Skip the NATO Summit?
A confluence of factors – U.S. strikes on Iran and a focus on defense spending hikes – likely led Prime Minister Ishiba to stay home.
Despite US Disapproval, Europe Eyes a Greater Role in the Indo-Pacific
The robust European presence at the Shangri-La Dialogue was just the latest indication that the EU seeks to defend its own interests in the Indo-Pacific regi...
Presentation: The Causes of Japan’s Alliances
How to build domestic consensus around mutual threat identification and alliances.
EU Proposes Security Partnership With Australia
It is too early to assess the benefits of an Australia-EU defense agreement to each side when so much hinges on the details.
Guest Lecture: Alliances in a Changing World
Applying alliance theories to understand the world today.
Shipbuilding Industry Takes Center Stage in US Relations With Japan and South Korea
As the limited capacity in the U.S. becomes a point of concern, attention has naturally turned to two U.S. allies that are also leading shipbuilders.
Remarks: Japan Between the East and West Symposium
Thoughts on alliance policy in an era of global uncertainty.
US, Philippines Begin Balikatan Annual Drills With South China Sea in Mind
In previewing the drills, military officials mentioned not only the disputed waterway but also the potential deterrent effect in the Taiwan Strait.
With Rutte Visit, Japan and NATO Seek ‘Next Level’ of Cooperation
Two major themes emerged: the interconnectedness of threats facing Europe and the Indo-Pacific and the importance of defense industrial cooperation.
Greetings from Haarlem!
Open to Work: A Japan scholar starting over in the Netherlands