Following this year’s Shangri-la Dialogue, Alessio Patalano examines U.S. and Japanese tensions with China, provides insight into China’s current disputes in the East and South China Seas, and recommends a policy of engagement to create a more effective security environment in East Asia.

In light of recent tension in the Asia Pacific, Colin Moreshead argues that the United States should bring Japan, South Korea and China all to the table for common-ground initiatives, like fighting climate change or promoting education.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the political support of right wing conservative forces, is seeking to amend Article 9 of the Constitution, which stipulates that Japan is no longer able to maintain a standing army, navy and air force, and forfeits all rights to belligerency.

China trusts the United States to act rationally in Asia, but not so with Japan; its aggressive behavior is the real danger to China, writes Franz-Stefan Gady.

Zhang Junshe, a senior colonel for the People’s Liberation Army Navy, lays out four features of Japan’s nationalist turn and argues that anti-Chinese sentiment will quickly shift to anti-American rhetoric if not kept in check.

The US and Japan held the first talks on their Cyber Defense Policy Working Group early this month. The Japan Self-Defense Forces are scheduled to set up a cyber-defense unit in March, and Washington will provide support in training Japan's senior military officials and improving Japan's cyber warfare capabilities. All these maneuvers have revealed that the two countries are deepening their alliance.

The U.S. has historically played a critical role in Sino-Japanese relations and will continue to do so. Jian Yuechun gives historical examples and reasons why the U.S. should begin playing a more truly neutral role in Asia.

Feng Zhaokui writes that to resolve the escalating tension between China and Japan, we must safeguard the results of the world’s anti-fascist war and observe the 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan.

The United States has an important role to play in the island dispute between China and Japan. As Dr. Mel Gurtov argues, the U.S. must rein in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and reassure Beijing to prevent tensions in the region from escalating.