2021/04/19 |
Japan’s Response to the Coup in Myanmar
Japan’s approach to the coup in Myanmar is in some ways a middle road between the “distant” Western states that prioritize human rights and democracy and the “local” Asian states that prioritize stability and development.
2021/04/14 |
No Plan B for Singapore’s Leadership Succession
After Heng Swee Keat’s departure, there is no clear successor to Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. It exposes serious internal challenges for the ruling party.
2021/03/31 |
Tibetans in Exile Facing New Challenges
Tibetans in exile will elect the new president in April. The leader will need fresh thinking and expertise to navigate the challenges ahead.
2021/03/22 |
The Clubhouse Challenge To Digital Authoritarianism in Thailand
Clubhouse seems to pose a threat to the Thai government, allowing protesters to discuss sensitive topics, including the monarchy. Authorities are threatening to block access to it after a surge in popularity.
2021/02/18 |
Political Repression and Authoritarian Legalism in Hong Kong
Defenders of Hong Kong’s legal system will insist that judicial independence is a prerequisite for the region’s continued wellbeing, but Beijing may reason that modern China has done well enough with its captive courts.
2021/02/05 |
Protecting the Taiwan Strait in the 21st Century
Whether the U.S. should maintain strategic ambiguity or embrace strategic clarity on Taiwan is an important but distinct question. Neither policy stands a chance of long-term success without sustained U.S. military capabilities in the Asia Pacific.
2021/01/19 |
Rethinking Japan’s Refugee and Asylum Policy
Japan is unlikely to expand its refugee intake in the near future despite international criticism.
2021/01/12 |
How Will Biden’s Strategy on South Asia Differ From Trump’s?
U.S. president-elect Joe Biden might shake up Washington's current foreign policy, but not its South Asia policy.
2021/01/08 |
Singapore’s 2020 Risk Management Strategy
Singapore has kept the pandemic under control and its economy has survived in much better shape than expected. The success is based on the Singaporean government’s aversion to risks.
2020/12/31 |
The Year of Unexpected Successes in Taiwan
While the world waits to see how the Biden administration’s foreign policy team will approach China and Taiwan, President Tsai at least will be in a position to roll into 2021 confident in Taiwan’s firm global standing.
2020/12/23 |
How China’s State Serves the Party
Despite the vast and ongoing challenges through 2020 because of Covid-19, the Chinese Communist Party has never looked more dominant.
2020/12/18 |
ASEAN in the Driver’s Seat in the South China Sea
After decade-long disputes, what can we expect to see in South China Sea in the upcoming year?
2020/12/10 |
North Korea Faces One of Its Toughest Winters
North Koreans are in for a tough winter, with the Covid-19 pandemic, severe food shortages, and the lack of heating options.
2020/12/02 |
Why RCEP Is a Big Deal
The RCEP trade deal, signed on November 15, shows deep commitments to trade liberalization and regional economic integration, but challenges to implement it lie ahead.
2020/11/23 |
Can Suga Lead on Japanese Foreign Policy?
Suga can be one of the many typical post-war premiers who focuses on domestic policy, but the regional security environment around Japan will not allow this indefinitely.
2020/11/17 |
The Shifting US Position Over the Senkaku Islands
With U.S. commitment to help defend the Senkaku Islands, the question Japan now faces is whether it will be drawn deeper into the increasingly hostile U.S. policies toward China, a country that happens to be Japan’s largest trading partner.