Japan and China are still building up their strategic military capabilities near the disputed islands, despite the recent talk of easing tensions.

Its crazy client state is driving China’s rivals, South Korea and Japan, closer together—exactly what Beijing does not want.

Narendra Modi is working on developing India’s Northeastern region while forging ties with Bangladesh and Burma. This policy is to India’s definite advantage, and could be a cornerstone of Modi’s ultimate legacy should he succeed.

A recent flareup between China and Japan over the disputed islands serves as a reminder that Beijing is in no way abandoning its revisionist agenda.

China finishes building a runway on a disputed Paracel Island while the Philippines works to make its case against Chinese expansionism to the UN. Asian geopolitics is still a high-stakes and dangerous contest, no matter how distracted the West gets.

The Taiwanese people are surprisingly fond of Japan nowadays, while Taiwan’s ex-President has voiced his approval of Japan’s recent move towards increased militarism. This could be big news for Asian geopolitics.

Russia is conducting military drills on the Kuril Islands, which are disputed by Japan. This does not bode well for the region or for relations between the two powers.

As India aims to beef up its military might, the U.S. is seeking a closer defense relationship with it in order to increase pressure on China.

Japan has offered Vietnam six of its coast guard ships, lightly used, to bulk up Hanoi’s patrol fleet. As China races ahead in expanding its naval capabilities, its neighbors are banding together to balance it.

Japan is joining the annual U.S.-Indian naval drill. Beijing can’t be happy that its two strongest opponents among its neighbors are drawing closer together.