China–Taiwan Conflict (Most Critical Flashpoint)

• Location: East Asia
• Nature of Conflict: The Chinese claim of the One China Policy and Taiwan as an integral part of China, whereas Taiwan demands Independent country status.
• Parties Involved: Chinese Government and Taiwanese administration led by the Kuomintang party.
• Reasons: 
  • “One China Policy” vs Taiwanese self-rule
  • Rising Chinese military pressure (air & naval incursions)
  • US arms sales & strategic ambiguity
• Strategic Risks:
  • Any invasion could trigger a US–China military confrontation
  • Disruption of global semiconductor supply chains

Korean Peninsula Conflict

• Location: Korean Peninsula in East Asia
• Nature of Conflict: Ideological conflict escalating into a war.
• Parties: North Korean and South Korean governments.
• Reasons:
  • Post World War II division of Korea into Capitalist South Korea and Communist North Korea
  • In the Korean War of 1950, N.Korea invaded S. Korea and escalated the issue involving US and Soviet Union.
• Recent Trends:
  • Frequent missile tests by Pyongyang
  • Expanded US–South Korea joint military drills
  • North Korea’s deepening ties with Russia
  • North Korea’s Trash Balloon launch into South Korea.

East China Sea Dispute (Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands)

• Location: East Asian boundary in the western margins of Pacific Ocean
• Nature of Conflict: Territorial and Maritime Boundary disputes.
• Parties: China and Japan over the ownership of the islands
• Reasons:
  • Uninhabited islands with Strategic location and Potential oil & gas reserves.
  • Frequent naval & coast-guard confrontations.
• Security Implication:
  • Covered under the US–Japan Security Treaty
  • Escalation could internationalise the conflict