In The News

Chinese Buildup Seen as Threat to Region

Ann Scott Tyson July 20, 2005
Yesterday, the Pentagon released a report on Chinese military capabilities that may be ominous for other Asian powers as well as for the United States. While the findings revealed that Beijing does not yet have the military strength to exercise true dominance in Asia, its development of long range missiles – which could reach both India and the US – points to a longer-term strategy. Experts...

A Stir in Asia

Victor Mallet July 19, 2005
Mounting tensions between China, Japan, and South Korea have brought a wave of nationalism to East Asia over the past year. Taking an increasingly assertive stance on controversial disputes over territory, history, and nuclear weapons, politicians in these three nations have worked excessively hard to promote chauvinistic sentiments in public. Although passionate nationalism is not new in East...

Finally, Washington Is Ready to Play Ball

Jonathan D. Pollack July 19, 2005
On July 9, North Korea announced its willingness to return to six-party discussions, after exiting negotiations more than a year ago. Anticipating the next round of talks, analyst Jonathan D. Pollack reviews the Bush administration's interaction with Pyongyang during "this oddest and most slow moving of crises." In the past, Washington has sought an unequivocal end to North Korea...

Tokyo-Seoul Rift Threatens US Interest

Scott Snyder July 14, 2005
The United States has sought to maintain a steady relationship with South Korea, but recent tensions between South Korea and Japan could pose new challenges for the Bush administration. Whereas Washington has viewed Japan as a consistent and loyal ally since 9/11, Seoul is troubled by a rightward shift in Japanese politics and the prospect of Japan's renewed militarization. South Korea...

In China, Sophisticated Filters Keep the Internet Near Sterile

Tim Johnson July 14, 2005
The spread of the internet in China has played a large role in that country's economic growth, as well as provided a cheap form of entertainment, communication, and learning for those who have web access. But the internet's popularity has not resulted in the open discussion and political reform that Chinese dissidents had hoped for. Rather, the government has concentrated many resources...

Killing the Chickens Before They Kill Us

Gerald Traufetter July 13, 2005
When the Netherlands was besieged with infected birds two years ago, Harm Kiezebrink designed mobile bird-killing machines and slaughtered millions of birds. Now, he has moved his contraptions to Asia, where a deadly bird flu virus (H5N1) has rampaged through multiple countries over the last 18 months. Because the virus would spread quickly and widely among humans if were to genetically mutate...

Africa Should Follow China Online

David Bowen July 12, 2005
Although there has recently been much talk about African entrepreneurs seeking to turn their continent around, David Bowen suggests that their prospects look bleak, particularly considering the lack of African commercial activity on the internet. Africa's situation is in stark contrast to that of Asia – especially China – where traders have taken advantage of online networking opportunities...