In The News

Reuters: APEC and US-China Acrimony

Tom Westbrook and Charlotte Greenfield November 19, 2018
The 21 members attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit failed to produce a final statement on future areas of cooperation. China and the United States, APEC’s two largest economies, continue to escalate trade battles and compete over security investments in countries like Papua New Guinea, the summit’s host nation. “Rather than cooperation, the theme seemed to be conflict and...

Caixin: Jack Ma Mania

Noelle Mateer and Charlotte Yang November 18, 2018
Societies admire their greatest innovators who emerge after a series of failures. The Chinese revere Jack Ma, the founder of the e-commerce site Alibaba, for both his charisma and billionaire status. Despite early failures – including many school exams, an application as Kentucky Fried Chicken manager and inability early on to secure venture capital – he did not give up. “The fandom surrounding...

Live Science: DPRK Missile Program Very Much Alive

Rafi Letzter November 14, 2018
The Center for Strategic and International Studies released a report with commercial satellite images showing that North Korea continues to develop its nuclear missile program. The country could have as many as 20 active bases. The presidents of South Korea and the United States have been negotiating with North Korea for an end to the nation’s nuclear program. “This seems to contradict President...

South Asia Journal: Russia’s Asia Pacific Clout

Yead Mirza November 12, 2018
Global observers regard Russia as influential for Europe and the Middle East, but less so for the Asia Pacific Asia region. Think tanks, media and online discussion platforms often overlook Russia, but the world’s 12th largest ecoomy and second largest military is adding to its Asia Pacific geopolitical presence.. “Russia has been selling weapons and other advanced military technology to the Asia...

Rappler: Attempt to Silence Critics of Duterte

November 11, 2018
As their popular support wanes, leaders with authoritarian styles hurry to stifle criticism. Rodrigo Duterte was elected president of the Philippines in 2016, and his war on corruption has since expanded into attacks against critics. The Department of Justice has indicted Rappler Holdings Corporation for tax evasion. Rappler, which publishes articles critical of the Duterte regime, denies the...

Project Syndicate: Impact of Chinese Recession

Kenneth Rogoff November 9, 2018
Economic recession, spurred by protectionist policies, is inevitable for China. Kenneth Rogoff, writing for Project Syndicate, rejects economic analysis suggesting that much of China’s problems could be regionally contained and argues that the China’s problems would quickly spread to international capital markets with so many foreign firms earning profits in Chinese markets. Asia’s high saving...

Economic Times: India-Japan Strategic Partnership

Sanjay Pulipaka November 8, 2018
Japan and India, under prime ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe, continue to improve relations as a bulwark against more powerful China and develop balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. “Both premiers have invested heavily in the bilateral relationship and made sustained efforts to push their respective bureaucracies to catch up with their vision,” explains Sanjay Pulipaka for the...