Power Plays in Asia

Protesters recently filled China's streets, objecting to Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council; Japan, the protesters maintain, has yet to atone sufficiently for its crimes during World War II. As this Washington Post article points out, however, "It is a mistake to write off the political turmoil in Asia as a case of resurgent nationalism in a region that has not put to rest the ghosts of World War II, as Europe has." Current animosities in Asia result primarily from the rebalancing of power as China rises, Japan seeks a permanent Security Council seat, and India craftily reaps the benefits of the conflict. As Japan pursues greater global responsibility and China attempts to maintain its status as sole regional power player, Washington must decide whether to alter the region's tenuous power equilibrium. Asia is rapidly changing, the Post concludes, and it is no longer enough for the Bush administration to pay lip service to its major players. – YaleGlobal