Strategic Regions
Asia-Pacific
The debate between individualism and collectivism seemed closed after the cold war, but if collectivist societies rise economically, the outnumbered individualists won’t continue to dominate. ++ Americans usually value individuals, …More
Many governments in Southeast Asia are hoping for better energy security and appreciable increases in public revenue through a number of dam construction projects along the Mekong River. Yet the projected dams do not only …More
Despite hopeful voices that the six-party talks are on a good way to contain Korean nuclear program, Kim Jong Il gives us no reason to believe he really intends to give up his nuclear weapons. ++ Korean concessions are merely …More
On the surface, the strategic Sino-Russian relationship seems at an apex. ++ In reality, however, relations between the two leading Eurasian powers are being weakened by a stalemate in military sales, disputes over energy prices, and a …More
Six-party framework is our best option to achieve the strategic goal of Korea’s denuclearization. ++ Now North Korea is already disabling its plutonium production facility at Yongbyon under the monitoring of US inspectors. ++ The US …More
The Japanese government is asking to be granted permanent authority over the use of military force. ++ Currently every foreign deployment of troops requires separate legislative approval and is bound by strict legal parameters. ++ While …More
Due to unilateral export restrictions imposed by grain producing countries, the Japanese government recently raised the price of imported wheat it sells to flour-milling companies by 30%. ++ The surge is expected to be passed on to the …More
Despite the determination of Burma’s military rulers to prevent foreign interference in fear of losing its grip on power, the international community has a moral obligation to deliver aid to cyclone-stricken civilians by all means …More
The US should continue its current path in North Korean nuclear negotiations, rather than exiting or stalling talks. ++ It should prioritize verification of North Korea’s plutonium production records, and push towards dismantlement of the …More
Daphne Wolf: Small and local aid agencies are best equipped to help the victims of cyclone Nargis because they are already operating on the ground. Donations to these agencies are more effective since big aid organizations are still struggling to access the affected areas. …More
Burma’s despots are politicizing the crisis, blocking foreign relief operations, and preventing the needy from receiving food and aid. ++ 400,000 may have died and two million may now face the threats of malnutrition and disease. ++ Rather …More
Japan increasingly faces a dilemma in its relationship with China. ++ On the one hand intensifying already close economic relations with China is vital for the continued recovery of Japan’s own economy. ++ On the other hand China’s …More
The rise in food prices threatens the success of poverty reduction in Asia. ++ Rather than subsidies, price control, and export caps, governments should focus on targeted income and cash support measures as short-term remedies. ++ This will give …More
Two types of nationalism are prevalent in China at the moment. ++ On the one hand, a virulent nationalism that is based on continued historical grievances and is used to legitimize the rule of the Communist Party. ++ On the other hand, …More
In Asia, the rise of India is perceived as less threatening than the rise of China. ++ India does have strong military capabilities, but is a democracy, which are said to be more peaceful. ++ India’s military is believed to be unthreatening …More
Japan and Russia’s planned cooperation in fields of energy, transportation, and the environment require settling their territorial dispute. ++ So as to expand its influence in the booming Asia-Pacific region and maintain its volumes of …More
Having unwisely abandoned the 1994 Clinton deal that kept North Korea from producing plutonium, the Bush administration’s shift from past confrontational rhetoric is promising. ++ A first step is the assessment of plutonium …More
Striking North Korea from the terror list, ignoring China’s muscle flexing, and massive military withdrawal from the region, could generate doubt about America’s security commitments for key allies such as Japan. ++ …More
The disruption of Olympic torch and pro-Tibet demonstrations caused a wave of strong anti-Western sentiment among Chinese bloggers. ++ Chinese believe that Tibet cannot be the real reason for Western criticism of China and call for boycotts. …More
Bush’s
chief North Korea negotiator recently reached a deal with Pyongyang based on trust and not
verification ++ This hasty compromise before the end of the presidential term, could set a precedent for other nations determined to develop a nuclear program ++ Seoul and Tokyo are left bewildered by this sudden new policy of “appeasement.” ++ Public awareness will prove pivotal.
The protracted Six Party Talks dating back from 2003 enabled Kim Jong-il to gain time and repeatedly violate commitments. ++ If the instrumental support of Russia and China is secured, Bush should dedicate the next 10 months to …More
With power changing hands in the US, the time has come for Australia to reconsider its position towards the American leadership and acquire some confidence and self reliance. ++ Both ventures with the US in Vietnam and Iraq were disastrous, and placed Australia on the side of the politically defeated. ++ Australia need not systematically be a follower when it comes to matters of national security.
Economic integration is currently shaping US-Chinese-Japanese relations. According to Abramowitz, only domestic politics or virulent nationalism “could disrupt what promises to be a positive new decade for great-power …More
Russia’s President Putin declared the onset of a new arms race. ++ Reacting to US plans for a missile defence shield in Europe, he vowed to modernize Russia’s armed forces. ++ Putin also warned from unnamed foreign powers …More
The subject of Asia has become a common source of criticism in US politics. Many Republicans want to see an end to cooperation with Peking because of China’s alleged attempt to displace the US in Asia, its defense budget, missile buildup, …More
Henrik Schmiegelow: I warn that Asia is building pillars to support a future international order. Reacting to the functional integration and regional community-building led by ASEAN and the big three—China, Japan, and India—will be “the West’s greatest challenge.” …More
Erich Follath: I claim in this exclusive contribution that now is the best time for the rest of the world to press China on human rights issues. As a biographer of the Dalai Lama, I know how important this chance is for Tibet—and for the international community. …More
Joseph S. Nye: We cannot overlook Japan as a global powerhouse. How its people and government respond to emerging China will be “one of the great questions for this century.” …More
Thomas Palley: China is not the only Asian economy perpetuating trade deficits. Japan’s rock-bottom interest rates also play a part. …More
The March 2007 Bruegel Policy Brief reveals that imbalances in global current account positions are not sustainable and need adjustment. A 15% depreciation of the dollar and an appreciation of …More
If Japan intends to preserve its status in world trade, it must negotiate an economic partnership agreement with its biggest trading partner, the US, warns journalist Kiroku Hanai. Japan already lags behind South …More
North Korean nuclear tests are symptoms of an unheralded threat: not the exertion of North Korean strength, but the prospective collapse of Kim Jong Il’s government. Weakness in Pyongyang could result in desperation, a WMD attack on the …More
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