Asia Pacific

Dr. Ju Hyung Kim As Moscow and Beijing intensify their cooperation through institutions including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the probability of a dual contingency—Russia embarking on a full-fledged military offensive in Europe, while China conducts an assault against Taiwan—is no longer a long-term hypothesis. Although US policymakers …

Shalom Lipner President Trump’s steamrolling toward a lasting deal in Gaza could deliver a crowning blow to the Israeli government. A potent version of the Changing of the Guard, viewed annually by millions of spectators at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, is playing out presently on the British Empire’s …

With Astana’s entry, the Abraham Accords have entered into a new phase. Today, in a monumental step, Kazakhstan joined Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, and Sudan as the sixth member of the Abraham Accords. The decision may come as a surprise to many observers, who have …

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a set of 17 metallic elements that have become indispensable to modern technology and defense industries. Although they are not truly “rare” in the Earth’s crust, they are difficult to find in concentrated deposits and are expensive to separate and refine. The group …

Yang Xite The “plenary sessions” of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee play a crucial role in determining the country’s future policy direction, and if one wishes to know where China is heading, it would be indispensable to understand these plenums. From October 20 to 23, the Fourth …

Aaron Bartnick In competing with China in global markets, the United States should not seek to create an imitation command-economy from scratch. At an October 15 event promoting investment in the United States, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remarked: “When you are facing a nonmarket economy like China then …

Kester Klomegah For the past couple of years, Russia has noticeably been shifting toward trade while intensifying the dynamics of ‘soft power’ within the framework of its foreign policy with Africa. In many ways, the expanded cultural programs, including art and sports and education exchanges aimed at enhancing …

Christopher Vassallo With a new US trade deal and prime minister, Japan is now focused on reciprocity. As President Donald Trump prepares for a visit to Japan later this month, it is worth remarking on the quiet new US defense paradigm that is emerging in East Asia. It …

Minh Do and  Dieu Linh Nguyen Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi, followed by handshakes between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Beijing, has sent shockwaves throughout the region. Both parties, facing a …