Indo-Pacific Analysts Stunned by Japan's Patriot Missile Transfer to U.S.
- Japan's surprise decision to send Patriot missiles to the U.S. for Ukraine's air defence has raised concerns.
- Critics question the logic of diverting resources from the Indo-Pacific, contrary to the Biden administration's focus on China.
- The U.S. requested the Patriots, suggesting a belief that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan was not imminent.
- Some view Japan's prioritization of Europe as a fundamental error, depleting defence resources against potential Chinese aggression.
- Concerns arise about Japan's air defense capabilities and the risk of reducing interceptor missile stocks further.
- Japan's pacifist constitution prevents sending weapons to countries at war, but by aiding the U.S., it indirectly supports Ukraine's air defence.
Read ahead: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/12/26/japans-patriot-missile-transfer-to-u-s-stuns-indo-pacific-watchers/
Asia will be 2023’s Global Growth Driver, says IMF
- China and India together are forecast to generate about half of global growth this year
- The region will contribute about 70 percent of global growth this year—a much greater share than in recent years.
- The main development has been the reopening of China, where surging consumption is boosting growth across the region despite weaker demand from the rest of the world.
- While Asia’s financial systems haven’t seen major impacts following recent banking turmoil in the United States and Europe, they need to be carefully monitored given high leverage among households and corporates.
Civilian Deaths Raises Questions in Kashmir
- Kashmiris are calling for an investigation into the deaths of three civilians.
- A video that claimed to show the torture of the detained civilians spread online, fuelled widespread anger.
- To prevent protest internet was shut down in districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
- That regional government said it was investigating the deaths.
