The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on global affairs. But how will it affect the Indo-Pacific? This crisis will sharpen pre-existing tensions between the US and China, rather than radically reshape the regional geopolitical order, explains Lynn Kuok.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2020/06/geopolitics-covid-19-indo-pacific
The Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2020 investigates US–China great-power competition, US alliances and partnerships, the implications for Asia of the end of the INF Treaty, the breakdown in Japan–South Korea relations, the diplomatic deadlock on the Korean Peninsula and the role of regional and extra-regional middle powers like Australia, Indonesia and European actors.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2020/06/rsa-2020-introduction
Tim Huxley, Lynn Kuok
While Tehran’s response to the US announcement to end nuclear-related waivers has been nonchalant, Mahsa Rouhi argues that the decision may have significant implications for the future of nuclear negotiations with Iran.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/survival-blog/2020/06/iran-nuclear-waivers
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to assess the pros and cons of hospital ships as nations re-evaluate the potential of such vessels for broader humanitarian and naval diplomacy missions.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2020/06/hospital-ships-naval-diplomacy
Nick Childs, Hugo Decis
The Islamic State has been consolidating its African offshoots as part of an effort to expand its presence across the continent. As part of a series of blogs to mark the publication of Armed Conflict Survey 2020, Eleanor Beevor and Flore Berger examine the impact of these developments and the risks they could pose.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2020/06/csdp-isis-militants-africa
US President Donald Trump’s response to the nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd indicates how he might style himself for this year’s presidential election, writes Dana Allin.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/survival-blog/2020/06/america-protests-and-trump
With the prospect of a deep recession looming, Turkey’s President Erdogan is under significant pressure to resuscitate his country’s economy. But accepting external assistance is not always straightforward, explains Dan Arbell.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2020/06/turkey-economy
Dan Arbell
The US is applying sanctions to Iran indiscriminately, contravening a moral and reputational imperative to ensure that American policies do not contribute to more COVID-19 deaths, writes Mark Fitzpatrick.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/survival-blog/2020/05/sanctioning-pandemic-plagued-iran
How will the FFG(X) fit into the US Navy’s future fleet plans? The new-generation frigate could be key to hopes of maintaining a credible forward presence, but questions remain over whether the US Navy has found the right balance in terms of cost and capability, writes Nick Childs.
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2020/05/us-navy-new-generation-frigate
Nick Childs
