Foreign Policy Blogs

Asia & Pacific

China Attempts to Save Face at UN Human Rights Council

China Attempts to Save Face at UN Human Rights Council

China tried to save face last week, by lashing out at those critical of its human rights record during a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council.

read more

North Korea’s Impasse Highlights Northeastern Asia’s Fragile Peace

North Korea’s Impasse Highlights Northeastern Asia’s Fragile Peace

The erratic behavior of the Kim dynasty has long enraged and exasperated both its enemies and allies, though larger states have certainly used North Korea’s existence as a fig leaf for moves of their own.

read more

Why is the Internet not Fostering China’s Democratization?

Why is the Internet not Fostering China’s Democratization?

In the past, scholars tended to believe that the internet was an effective tool to challenge authoritarian regimes and facilitate the development of civil society. However, as an expert that has been investigating the issue for a number of years, I disagree with this widely held belief.

read more

Risky Business: Pyongyang’s Dangerous Gamble

Risky Business: Pyongyang’s Dangerous Gamble

After protracted negotiations, China has finally withdrawn its opposition, joining in the UN Security Council’s unanimous decision to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea in response to its recent nuclear and ballistic missile test.

read more

U.S. Show of Force in the South China Sea

U.S. Show of Force in the South China Sea

In a show of counterforce, the U.S. has sailed an aircraft carrier, two destroyers, two cruisers, and the command ship of the Japan-based 7th Fleet into the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

read more

Washington Requests China to Stop Intimidating Fishermen

Washington Requests China to Stop Intimidating Fishermen

The U.S. State Department has issued a request for China’s navy to refrain from harassing fishermen of other countries in the disputed South China Sea.

read more

China Moves to Lower Diplomatic Temperatures

China Moves to Lower Diplomatic Temperatures

China’s assertive attitude towards its neighbors and America’s role in East Asia has slowly morphed since last autumn’s final round of provocative acts into something less strident.

read more

The Twilight of President Park’s Trustpolitik

The Twilight of President Park’s Trustpolitik

During her recent address to the National Assembly, President Park stressed her intention to adopt a more assertive strategy toward the North Korean regime.

read more

“China Seeks Hegemony in East Asia”

“China Seeks Hegemony in East Asia”

In an appearance on Tuesday before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command stated: “I believe China seeks hegemony in East Asia.”

read more

Closing Kaesong: Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Closing Kaesong: Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

On February 10, 2016, South Korea decided to shut down the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC). Seoul’s decision followed North Korea’s alleged hydrogen bomb test on January 6 and its long-range missile launch one month later.

read more

China’s Military Pivot to Africa just got Serious

China’s Military Pivot to Africa just got Serious

The Chinese foreign ministry recently announced that China would be setting up a “logistical facility” in the East African country of Djibouti.

read more

Sri Lanka : Nationalism & Indian Free Trade

Sri Lanka : Nationalism & Indian Free Trade

Sri Lanka is expanding its free trade agreement with India. Nationalism is acting against, as usual. But the state regulatory structure is the real issue.

read more

The Inter-Korean Propaganda War

The Inter-Korean Propaganda War

The intensifying animosity was coarsely expressed by a North Korean leaflet at the time: “Let us beat to death Park Geun-hye’s gang of dogs for resuming propaganda broadcasts and deteriorating North-South relations!”

read more

Chinese Oil Rig Again Angers Hanoi

Chinese Oil Rig Again Angers Hanoi

Beijing is back to salami-slicing again, as it moved an offshore oil drilling rig on January 16 near the entrance to the Gulf of Tonkin, about 21 nautical miles east of the median line between Vietnam and China.

read more

What Can Washington Do About North Korea’s Nuclear Ambitions?

What Can Washington Do About North Korea’s Nuclear Ambitions?

This week, military tensions and international concerns reached an unprecedented level in the Korean Peninsula after the United States deployed a B-52 bomber in response to North Korea’s recent nuclear test. 

read more