The South China Sea is a body of water tucked between China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Taiwan. The Sea is vitally important to all countries and has recently been the source of significant border tensions stemming from China’s claim to the vast majority of the area.
Chinese Spy Balloon: Suspicious balloon travels over sensitive US military sites
In early February 2023, the US government reported the presence of a high altitude balloon travelling over US and Canadian airspace. It was quickly found to be a Chinese spy balloon, part of the country’s developing surveillance capabilities.
Kuril Islands: A decades-long Japan-Russia conflict
The Kuril Islands are a set of islands that stretches more than 800 miles from the north of Japan to the tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia.
Diego Garcia: An American military outpost in the middle of the Indian Ocean
Diego Garcia is an isolated island in the middle of the Indian Ocean that is claimed by the UK and home to a US military installation.
Naypyidaw: A very-planned capital city
Naypyidaw is the new capital of Myanmar replacing Yangon due to central location, ability for the government to better control outer-regions and climate change.
Djibouti Military Bases: A multi-country presence in a strategic location
Because of its strategic location for commerce, Djibouti has attracted the eyes of foreign military powers keen on protecting their nation’s interests – US, France, Japan and China all have significant permanent military bases in the small African country.