"Edge of Freedom" maneuvers – a trilateral alliance draws lines of deterrence in Asia.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

South Korea, the United States, and Japan have announced the launch of major joint military exercises under the name "Freedom's Edge," starting on September 15. The exercises will cover air, naval, and cyber capabilities, and come directly after the recent Chinese military parade that highlighted the Beijing-Moscow-Pyongyang alliance. Strategic Insight: These exercises carry a dual message: deterring North Korea and preventing it from changing the nuclear rules of the game, and demonstrating that Washington is still capable of coordinating a "triple shield" that protects East Asia from any rising Eastern alliance. It is, in fact, a test of the strength of Western alliances in the face of Beijing's provocative military display.