lazzybee

1. China’s ‘Blue Dragon’ Threatens India, Japan & ASEAN’s Territorial Integrity

- Chinese efforts to scale up their intrusions and aggressive intent in the Indo-Pacific are causing further consternation. 

- Recent action show a rising intensity and an unwillingness to follow the tenets of a code of conduct, which they have been negotiating with ASEAN for over two decades.

- The Indo-Pacific strategies of India, Japan, Australia, and the US want to keep the region free and open for international navigation and commerce.

2. Asian leaders’ low attendance at Ukraine peace summit signals their other priorities

- Despite Volodymyr Zelensky’s plea for their leaders’ personal participation, most Asian countries were represented at the international gathering by ministers, officials and other representatives. 

- Mr Kishida and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao were the exceptions.

- Poor attendance from Asia underscores the challenge Mr Zelensky faces in garnering global support for his country in the war.

3. Hezbollah keeps up pressure on Israel days after commander’s death

- Hezbollah kept up retaliatory attacks on military positions in northern Israel.

- Senior Hezbollah commander Taleb Abdallah was killed in an Israeli strike in the village of Jouaiyya, alongside three comrades.

- Hezbollah said that it targeted the Meron base in northern Israel with “guided missiles”, and sent “attack drones” towards another Israeli base “as part of the response to the attack and assassination carried out by the enemy in Jouaiyya”.