ARTICLES

27 Feb 2026

Russia’s Critical Military Role in Myanmar’s Civil War

Ian Storey

While China wields much influence over Myanmar, Russia plays an outsized role in equipping the country’s military.

24 Feb 2026

Japan’s Growing Hard-power Profile: Implications for Southeast Asia

Hoang Thi Ha|Eugene R.L. Tan

Japan is emerging as a consequential hard-power player, expanding its deterrence and defence-industrial capabilities, as well as its regional and global defence networks. As Japan strengthens its military posture, Southeast Asian states are under mounting pressure to navigate the intensifying Tokyo-Beijing rivalry while carefully managing domestic sensitivities.

Defence Diplomacy Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations Security

8 Dec 2025

The Philippines and Germany Enter a New Era of Defence Cooperation

Frances Mangosing

Defence and security ties between Manila and Berlin are strengthening amid rising threats in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific driven partly by the growing alignment between Beijing and Moscow.

Defence Military Philippines

31 Oct 2025

Why Did Indonesia Decide to Buy China’s J-10 Fighter Jet?

Ian Storey

Indonesia’s recent announcement that it was considering buying the China-made J-10 fighter raises more questions than answers.

China-Indonesia Relations Defence Indonesia

24 Oct 2025

Türkiye’s Defence Diplomacy in Southeast Asia: The New Kid on the Block

Ian Storey

Over the past ten years, Türkiye has increased its share of the global arms market and has become an attractive defence partner for countries in the Global South. In Southeast Asia, Turkish arms manufacturers have taken advantage of rising defence budgets to win contracts for military vehicles, drones, missiles and naval ships.

Defence Military Security

8 Aug 2025

High Mast, Low Draft: The UK’s Indo-Pacific Deployment

William Choong|Eugene R.L. Tan

Notwithstanding an ongoing high-profile naval deployment, the UK cannot be considered a credible power in the Indo-Pacific as long as it tiptoes around the security challenges from China.

Defence Indo-Pacific UK

16 Jun 2025

The European Union Looks East Towards the Indo-Pacific

Niclas Kvarnström

Fulcrum editor William Choong talks to Niclas Kvarnström, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), about the European Union’s evolving approaches to the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Dialogues at Fulcrum European Union Southeast Asia

4 Jun 2025

Partnership, Not Protection: Trump’s Defence Policy in Asia

Hoang Thi Ha|William Choong

At his maiden Shangri-La Dialogue outing, the US Secretary of Defense laid out a stark and demanding vision for the region’s security. ASEAN and much of Southeast Asia did not feature in it.

Defence Pete Hegseth Shangri-La Dialogue US