Russia's Island Gambit: A Provocation in East Asia The recent missile tests by Russia off the disputed Kuril Islands have triggered a new wave of protests from Japan, exacerbating an already fraught relationship between the two nations.
This latest provocation reveals Russia's intentions and the shifting balance of power in East Asia.
The Kuril Islands, also known as the Northern Territories, have been a longstanding source of contention between Japan and Russia since their seizure by Soviet forces in 1945.