In The News

Will Japan Emerge from its Shell? – Part I

Edward J. Lincoln February 3, 2010
For the world’s second largest economy, Japan takes a decidedly backseat approach to involvement in global affairs. While there are no rules to force global intercourse, Japan-specialist Edward J. Lincoln believes that as a key beneficiary and user of global public goods, Japan should become more involved. But the hurdles preventing greater interchange between the world and the Japanese are many...

Solving Afghanistan: Elephant in the Room is Indo-Pakistan Rivalry

Harsh V. Pant February 1, 2010
The recent London Conference on Afghanistan showed the growing frustration of the world’s major powers with the situation in that country and their desperate desire for a way out. Afghan president Hamid Karzai wants reconciliation with elements of the Taliban while the US proposes offering financial incentives to encourage talks. But the Taliban rejected reconciliation and is unwilling to...

China’s Strident Tone Raises Concerns Among Western Governments, Analysts

John Pomfret February 1, 2010
China’s response to Washington’s plans to sell weapons to Taiwan is part of the recent change in tone in China’s relations not only with the US, but also the world. That change likely stems from China’s ever increasing importance on the world stage as well as new confidence generated by its survival of the financial crisis relatively unscathed. But domestic insecurity over unrest in its western...

Europe and an Inscrutable China

January 26, 2010
Only a few years ago, some of Europe's most respected thinkers and leaders called for increasing ties between the European Union and China, championing the EU's supranational and cooperative structures as a potential attraction to China. Now, as China has proven unwilling to cooperate with European approaches to international issues, Europe is reconsidering its stance. For example, in...

Climate Of Politics

Nayan Chanda January 22, 2010
The Copenhagen conference seemed to reveal more about the current global balance of power than to resolve how to mitigate climate change. The US turned its back on Europe to get a chance to measure developing countries’ emission reduction efforts. While Europe’s attempt to mandate a 50 percent emissions cut was blocked principally by China, supported by India, Brazil, and South Africa. The reason...

China and Google: Searching For Trouble – Part I

Jonathan Fenby January 19, 2010
Google’s recent dispute with China is not just about internet censorship; it’s also about China’s evolving role on the world stage, according to journalist and author Jonathan Fenby. It is unlikely Beijing will allow citizens to access banned Internet sites through Google – a condition the company demanded for staying in China. There are also concerns about Internet security in general, but the...

Google Threat Jolts Chinese Internet Industry

Loretta Chao, Aaron Back January 13, 2010
Google’s decision to start offering uncensored searches in China at the risk of being barred from the country is likely to have broad repercussions. Google announced its decision as a result of cyber attacks, some of which sought to compromise Google’s Gmail accounts of human rights activists. Politically, the move could add further tension to the US-China relationship, as the attacks were...