Foreign Policy Blogs

Regions

The Alarming Dependency of Downstream Mekong River Countries

The Alarming Dependency of Downstream Mekong River Countries

In downstream Vietnam, experts claim as much as 50% of the 2.2 million hectares of arable land in the delta had been hit by salinization due to the drought.

read more

Venezuela’s Struggles Continue as Government and Opposition Clash

Venezuela’s Struggles Continue as Government and Opposition Clash

The country’s supreme court blocked a recall referendum that could have removed Maduro from power. The country’s struggles continue, but there is some hope.

read more

Singapore vs. Global Times: Analysis of Two Logics

Singapore vs. Global Times: Analysis of Two Logics

A dispute between the Singaporean Ambassador to China and the chief editor of Global Times broke out recently. The incident spoke volumes on the two countries’ thinking and logic.

read more

Obama’s Uncertain Legacy to the Asia-Pacific Region

Obama’s Uncertain Legacy to the Asia-Pacific Region

Despite Obama’s efforts to design a new vision and engagement, able to reframe the US role and interests in the region, limited results have been achieved.

read more

Eastern Europe’s Duplicitous Tango with Moscow and Brussels

Eastern Europe’s Duplicitous Tango with Moscow and Brussels

Far from having strong ideological persuasions one way or the other, Eastern Europe’s leaders exploit cultural divides inside their countries for short-term political gain.

read more

What Does Trump’s “Pivot” Back To South Korea Mean For His Foreign Policy?

What Does Trump’s “Pivot” Back To South Korea Mean For His Foreign Policy?

While campaigning, Trump argued that the U.S. should no longer pay for Seoul’s defense. As president-elect, he has reversed his claim.

read more

Sunni-Shia, or Saudi-Iran Discord?

Sunni-Shia, or Saudi-Iran Discord?

Toxic polemics disseminated mainly by those loyal to Saudi Arabia and Iran made a full-blown Sunni-Shia civil war across the Muslim world a matter of time.

read more

What Saakashvili’s Resignation Means for Ukraine’s Future?

What Saakashvili’s Resignation Means for Ukraine’s Future?

The decision may symbolize the increasingly anti-reformist environment in Ukraine and the likely failure of promises spearheaded during the 2014 Euromaidan.

read more

Seoul’s Aggressive Plan to Combat Illegal Fishing

Seoul’s Aggressive Plan to Combat Illegal Fishing

Waters are heating up again in Asia, as Chinese fisherman came under fire last Tuesday some 92 kilometers southwest of South Korea’s Socheong Island.

read more

Rodrigo Duterte’s Pivot to China

Rodrigo Duterte’s Pivot to China

For Duterte, it is better to solve an Asian geopolitical problem with “no foreign forces”, limiting talks from one “Asian neighbor to another”.

read more

Japan and South Korea: Towards a Closer Security Cooperation

Japan and South Korea: Towards a Closer Security Cooperation

Japan and South Korea are the most strategically valuable U.S. allies in the region. They are also the most exposed to the North Korean military threat.

read more

Middle East Christians and the 2016 U.S. Elections

Middle East Christians and the 2016 U.S. Elections

The new U.S. president will have to address the issue of religious minorities in the Middle East, from humanitarian and geostrategic perspectives.

read more

U.S. Pivot to Asia Still Strong in Vietnam

U.S. Pivot to Asia Still Strong in Vietnam

The pivot is part business, foreign policy and philanthropy. One of the best tools the to advance the pivot is the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

read more

Why is Saudi Arabia Targeting Yemen’s Future?

Why is Saudi Arabia Targeting Yemen’s Future?

The conflict has already resulted in 10,000 dead, including 4,000 civilians, while the UN estimates that 80% of the population is now in need of humanitarian assistance.

read more

Welcoming Neighbors and Cleaning its House: China’s Interesting Week

Welcoming Neighbors and Cleaning its House: China’s Interesting Week

The visit of President Duterte could signal a shift in regional alliances. And the Communist Party is showing its commitment to cracking down on corruption.

read more