MELBOURNE (REUTERS) – The coronavirus pandemic has weakened China’s power in the Indo-Pacific, and the region’s deepening security uncertainties present a significant risk of war, the Lowy Institute said in a report on Sunday (Dec 5).

United States allies in the region and key balancing powers such as India have never been more dependent on American capacity and willingness to sustain a military and strategic counterweight in response to China’s rise, said the Sydney-based foreign policy think-tank.…