In The News

Beijing Tells G7 Nations to Stay Out of Disputes

Teddy Ng and Agence France-Presse June 9, 2014
Beijing vowed to answer provocations against its territorial sovereignty after the G7 leaders stated concerns over the maritime tensions between China and its Asian-Pacific neighbors. China has long insisted that territorial disputes must be settled by negotiations between China and the states directly affected. G7 leaders, including US and Japan, have suggested that countries involved in...

Thai Junta Claims Support from China, Vietnam Amid Western Unease

Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Pracha Hariraksapitak June 6, 2014
After a coup in Thailand, China and Vietnam expect a quick return to normality. The West and Australia are less sure. Support from China and Vietnam, as well as among Thais, could extend the duration of the coup longer than expected. “In May, Thailand's consumer confidence index hit its highest level since January on hopes the military can bring the economy back from the brink of recession...

The Legacy of Tiananmen Square

Johan Lagerkvist June 3, 2014
China’s communist leaders orchestrated a steady march towards great power status, accompanied by rewriting history and erasing tragic moments. Author Johan Lagerkvist reflects on the 25th anniversary of what has come to be known as Tiananmen Square massacre and points out how “the mindset behind the tragedy – unswerving support for China’s rise, with no toleration for criticism, questions or...

Abe Backs Up ASEAN on Maritime Security, Prods China

Noriyuki Suzuki June 3, 2014
Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe’s support of Vietnam and the Philippines has generated more tension in his countries relations with China. In mid-April, China placed an oil rig in contested waters of the South China Sea. At the Asian Security Summit in Singapore, Abe denounced China for using “force and intimidation to change the status quo” with the oil rig. The article notes that Japan is...

Twitter to Take India Election Innovations Global

Aditya Kalra June 3, 2014
Twitter became a key tool for politicians and media companies during the world’s largest democratic elections in India, and “Now, with polling due in countries such as Brazil, Indonesia and the United States later this year, the San Francisco-based company plans to take its India lessons abroad to expand its foothold in the political arena and increase its user base,” reports Aditya Kalra for...

The Way Forward

Nayan Chanda June 2, 2014
India’s citizens are greeting new Prime Minister Narendra Modi with great expectations to revive a lagging economy. Modi’s decisive win was based on a pro-business, pro-development, pro-growth agenda. “Ironically, one policy measure that is all ready to be implemented and could prove a game changer for the country is also the one that the BJP election manifesto is dead set against — FDI in multi-...

How Egyptian Elections Alter Regional Balance

Abdullah Kamal May 30, 2014
Egypt, long considered a center of the Muslim world, has been in turmoil since the Arab Spring and the ouster of two presidents, dictator Hosni Mubarak and democratically elected Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was elected president after barring the political party associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, which won the only real democratic vote in Egypt’s history....