Asia

Financial crises are more common than people usually expect. In fact, 139 financial crises from 1973 to 1997 have been identified by Eichengreen and Bordo, and they concluded that the…

Science diplomacy refers to international scientifi c cooperation aimed simultaneously at advancing scientifi c knowledge and improving and strengthening broader relations between participating countries and groups. Science diplomacy has proved…

National identity in South Korea is steeped in historical regret laced with wishful pursuit of idealistic absolution. Intemperate bouts of seeking immediate satisfaction draw support from the right or the…

South Korea is currently engaged, once again, in a large-scale, expensive modernization of its military that aims to provide the country with a more robust and self-sufficient defense. The timing…

  In this episode, we talk with Dr. Adam Cathcart of the University of Leeds and of Sino-NK about China-North Korea relations. Dr. Cathcart has just written an Academic Paper Series report…

      President Obama wasn’t the only leader who had to make important visits to multiple Asian countries this past April. Australia’s Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, had to make an important…

  The Francis Effect is everywhere. Time Magazine named Pope Francis their 2013 Person of the Year, another magazine dedicated specifically to covering Pope Francis has been started in Italy,…

Public opinion can help to both shape and inform public policy. A president with strong approval numbers across ideological divides has significant scope to make policy decisions. While a national…

By Troy Stangarone Shortly after the United States and South Korea began discussions on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, China’s Ambassador to South Korea, Qiu Guohong, suggested that the deployment of THAAD could “destroy” relations between South Korea and China. Now,…

By Hwan Kang The word “Smart Grid” became popularized when the energy industry thought applying sensors and having comprehensive control over the whole cycle of generating and consuming electricity was a good idea. Some people thought it would be even better if they could do the same with water, coining the term, “Smart Water Grid…

By William Brown China’s trade with North Korea contracted sharply in September from relatively high August levels, and continues an erratic if unmistakable decline since tighter UN sanctions were agreed upon a year ago, at least according to China’s customs bureau.  Since the strongest sanctions were set to begin only on September 5th, October data,…

By Mark Tokola Put yourself in Kim Jong-un’s shoes.  The United States is increasing pressure on your regime through sanctions and diplomatic moves but you’re not ready to engage with the U.S. because you haven’t finished your missile and nuclear weapons testing and development.  Relations with your traditional ally, China, are awful because Beijing also…