In Panetta’s Wake
The US Defense Secretary, Leon Panetta, recently concluded a sweeping trip across much of Asia. Despite initial missteps when it followed a China first policy and also sought to assuage Pakistan’s concerns, the Obama administration now seeks to work with India as the linchpin of its Asian security strategy.
Omens for the Shangri-La Dialogue
The focus on the South China Sea at the Shangri-La Dialogue will be a welcome addition to the diplomatic efforts to avoid conflict. But it will take many more years of concerted diplomacy to settle this thorny issue.
The Terrestrial Parochialism of International Relations
One certain casualty of a Chinese annexation of territory on the Moon would be that students of International Relations would be compelled to abandon their parochial terrestrial perspective.
Making Sausage
IR scholars rarely have access to real-time “insider” data on climate summits, though it is telling that virtually all of the world leaders make claims that we would have expected.
Chinese Leadership Transition and Cross-Strait Relations: Continuity Amid Uncertainty
Although the upcoming Chinese leadership transition inevitably injects a degree of uncertainty into its relations vis-à-vis Taiwan, both history and the recent successes of Beijing’s cross-Strait policy make drastic changes unlikely.
Beyond the Scarborough Scare: Joint Resource Management in the South China Sea
Tensions in the South China Sea have been rising in recent years. Without a joint resource management regime for the Scarborough Shoal, there will be an increased risk of another confrontation leading to armed conflict.
Security Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Arctic Environment
As the polar ice cap melts, the US and the international community are underprepared to address the growing economic dynamics of the Arctic.
The China-Philippines Face Off at Scarborough Shoal: Back to Square One?
The current standoff in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China threatens to raise tensions to new heights.
Rethinking Air/Sea Battle Before It Is Too Late
Instead of dying, the Air/Sea Battle concept has done nothing but pick up steam. The biggest problem with it is that it forces China to feel like enemy number one. Hopefully, they won’t start acting like enemy number one.
Why BRICS Matters
Western commentators often dismiss BRICS as an acronym in search of an identity. Yet, as BRICS becomes increasingly institutionalized it is changing global discourse.
