Ryan Ashley

Aug 14, 2024 | warontherocks.com | Zack Cooper |Sheila Smith |Ryan Ashley |Kei Koga

Recent years have seen Japan reevaluate its defense posture and a subsequent strategic repositioning of the United States in Japan. In 2022, the Government of Japan allocated approximately 43 trillion yen (about 30 billion dollars) to the strengthening of Japan’s defense capabilities. On July 28, 2024, Japan hosted the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee, which focused on accelerating the alliance’s integration.

Feb 8, 2024 | warontherocks.com | Ryan Ashley |Jada Fraser

Ever since the inclusion of Italy, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has had a more complicated relationship with maritime geography than its name implies. Now, with challenges to the international order appearing across multiple flanks, the alliance is trying to figure out how to further its mission in the Indo-Pacific. In recent years, like-minded European and East Asian nations have increasingly worked to deepen their defense ties.

Dec 14, 2023 | warontherocks.com | Ryan Ashley

As an instructor on Indo-Pacific security, the most common question I receive from students, ranging from undergraduates to senior military officers, is: Why do some countries in Asia still deeply resent Japan, while others display a warm fondness towards Tokyo? Layers of nationalism, politics, and historical memory make sweeping generalizations about “Asian” perceptions of Japan meaningless.

Oct 19, 2023 | warontherocks.com | Ryan Ashley

As geopolitical tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S.-Japanese-Philippine security trilateral is rapidly emerging as a potentially pivotal defense arrangement. It has already garnered widespread attention and positive headlines in Washington and Tokyo, especially following the grouping’s inaugural and first-ever trilateral Coast Guard exercise in June.