Asia Pacific

Documentary series on Austronesian origins in Taiwan premieres on National Geographic

secrets of the ocean tribes graphic
Culture 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

A documentary series exploring the origins of the Austronesian speaking peoples starting in Taiwan, and expanding as far away as New Zealand and Easter Island, premiers on National Geographic tonight, February 18, at 9:00 pm. The three part series will explore language, shipbuilding, tattoos, architecture, and arts and crafts, and will be aired in more than 40 countries in the Asia Pacific region. The second episode will air on February 25, and the final episode on March 4. The National

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Regional defense news: US sub re-homed to West Pacific, missile launch site development near Taiwan

composite image of naval and defense activity in northwest Pacific and South China Sea
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , , ,

In moves resembling a game of geostrategic chess, the US has forward-deployed a nuclear submarine to “the tip of the spear” in Guam, Japan’s development of a missile launch site on Ishigaki Island, near Taiwan, is advancing, China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier has sailed through the Miyaki Strait into the West Pacific, and a German naval vessel is in the South China Sea for the first time in 20 years. USS Jefferson City forward-deployed to new home base Guam The Los

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Declassified US Indo-Pacific security framework document shows commitment to defense of Taiwan

Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

The surprise declassification of the U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific has revealed that the current US national defense policy for the Asia-Pacific region includes a commitment to developing a defense strategy capable of denying China air and sea dominance inside the “first island chain,” and “defending the first-island-chain nations, including Taiwan.” The previously classified “secret” and “not for foreign nationals” document was developed in 2017, and has guided the Trump administration since 2018. The document was officially declassified last

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US Supports Democratic Taiwan amidst “China’s Growing Pains”

Daniel Russel, Assistant Secretary of State
Regional 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

Daniel R. Russel, Assistant Secretary of the US State Department Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs reiterated that the USA supports a democratic Taiwan, and stands for universal values and human rights. The statement was made at The University of Southern California during a conference of China and East Asia analysts under the banner of “China’s Growing Pains.” Mr Russel emphasized that “China policy is a subset of our Asia policy, and not the other way around.” “The context

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