Is the US losing its military dominance in the Indo-Pacific?

Two significant military events occurred in the Indo-Pacific last week. One was China’s unveiling of an array of new and powerful military weapons and technologies. The other was an agreement between North Korea and the US to hold further denuclearization talks, followed by North Korea’s decision to launch a missile into the Japanese Sea and the subsequent collapse of the talks on Saturday.

Combined, the two separate incidents capture a growing problem that the US faces: Its weakening military dominance and ability to shape the region.

Military developments by North Korea and China, as well as Russia to their north, enable the countries to push back against American influence in the region and expand their own reach. China’s capabilities only seemed to grow on Tuesday when it revealed a set of new weapons during a military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Among those weapons was the DF-17, a ballistic missile capable of reaching hypersonic speeds and flying at low altitudes, possibly enabling it to breach US defense systems; communication jamming equipment that would cause considerable harm to US forces; and a new intercontinental ballistic missile that could also avoid US missile defense systems and inflict significant damage to the American mainland, especially if mounted with nuclear warheads.

All of this added to China’s already comprehensive defense system known as Anti-Access / Area Denial. It is a system that utilizes land, air, and sea capabilities to limit the enemy’s ability to operate in a given area. It poses a significant threat to the US military, one which will continue to grow as China’s military becomes more powerful.

Meanwhile, a day later, North Korea also showed off its military advances by launching a missile into Japanese waters just hours after agreeing to meet with the US to continue talks on declunerization. On Saturday, the talks fell apart after both sides failed to reach an agreement. A US official downplayed the significance of the talks’ conclusion, but as North Korea continues to advance its missile arsenal - and possibly its nuclear one also - it simultaneously bolsters its ability to challenge US military power and extract greater demands at the negotiation table.

All together, the incidents reflect a changing military landscape in East Asia, foreshadowing a future where the US may no longer be the predominant military power. They also pose a challenge to other countries in the region, who moving forward must decide how to respond and whether they will seek closer ties with Beijing or Washington.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

China unveiled an array of new and powerful military weapons and technology

China’s communist government celebrated 70 years of rule on Tuesday by showing off an array of new military weapons and technologies. The latest additions to its arsenal include more lethal missiles, new drone technology, and communication jamming equipment that could prove devastating to US forces in the event of a military conflict.

China’s weapons flex also highlighted its developments in nuclear arms

Along with China’s conventional weapons on display Tuesday was its latest nuclear technology that suggest Beijing now has the ability to conduct nuclear strikes from air, land, and sea.

North Korea launched a missile into the Japanese Sea

Hours after agreeing to hold further nuclear talks with US, North Korea launched a missile into waters off Japan’s western coast. The move is the latest in a series of missile tests conducted by North Korea in recent months.

Nuclear talks get nowhere

Talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament ended poorly Saturday, with both sides walking away without any agreement. The US says it's eager to meet again, but North Korean officials seem less optimistic.