Asia Pacific
Japan: military expansion and instability in East Asia
With an incursive China, relaxing American input and an ambiguous Trump-Kim relationship, Japan bolsters its military capabilities to face uncertain times.
Russia and China: A pragmatic partnership
As sanctions continue, Sino-Russian relations – in many ways a pragmatic response to Western reproach – have been steadily developing. Russia’s eastward leaning strategy, or its ‘pivot to Asia,’ is largely coming in the form of energy relations and military cooperation with China.
Artificial Intelligence in the South China Sea
The South China Sea is host to a number of countries vying for control in the area. Attempting to develop new tactics and technologies to swing the balance in its favor, China may have found its key advantage – artificial intelligence (AI).
India’s Bid for the Nuclear Suppliers Group
Becoming a member of the exclusive Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) would be a major coup Modi as his government heads into general elections in 2019. While most of 48 members have endorsed the Indian bid, China continues to veto India’s ability to join the Group by stating it is not an Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory.
Environmental, social, and governance trends in Asia
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues traditionally have not been a priority for investors and asset owners throughout Asia as compared to their Western counterparts. However, recent decisions by Japanese pension funds and Chinese policymakers may stimulate more interest throughout the region.
Losing friends fast: What does the future hold for Taiwan?
China has been successfully cutting the diplomatic ties Taiwan has, this year alone has seen 3 states switch their allegiances from Taipei to Beijing, marking a drastic decrease in the legitimacy Taiwan commands as an independent state. What does the future hold for Taiwan under a more assertive China?
China looks to increase its role in tackling global terrorism
As China’s military capabilities increase and with the rising risks terrorist groups pose to strategic areas of interest, Beijing is seeking to ensure its presence is felt further afield within the global effort to tackle terrorism.
China serves as a stabilizing force in South Sudan’s fragile peace
On Wednesday, the “final final” peace deal was ostensibly struck– a handshake between South Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar and President Salva Kirr– signifying a truce in the 5-year civil war that has devastated the young nation.
Sanctions, oil, and the emerging China-Russia-Iran axis
Although China has backpedalled on proposed tariffs on U.S. crude imports, the move is indicative of its need to diversify sources and steps may now be taken to enable China to play the oil card in the future – including imports from Iran despite sanctions, and drawing closer to Russia.
Cambodia’s pivot to China heralds a new era of authoritarianism
Increasing Chinese influence is casting a shadow over Cambodia’s political freedoms. On the backdrop of the elections, Nathan Paul explores how the result is a great deal of leeway for Prime Minister Hun Sen to suffocate dissent and criticism, and to strengthen his own power.
