How Vietnam Went from American Foe to American Friend
Closer relations with the United States help Vietnam balance against China and promote its trade.
East Asia
Trump’s Worldview Will Alarm Allies
The Republican presidential candidate calls for an American withdrawal from East Asia and Europe.
Leaders Seek to Uphold Rules-Based Order in Asia
American and ASEAN leaders support a rules-based order. China deploys missiles.
Criticism of British Relations with China Overblown
If the United Kingdom is subordinating its principles to commercial gain, that is hardly unusual.
Why Japan Is Readying for War Again
Japan’s remilitarization could be the beginning of the end of China’s much-vaunted rise.
Imagining the End Game: How North Korea May Collapse
If America and China go from rivals to allies or China bungles its rise, North Korea will lose its strategic value.
Japan’s Economy Shrinks as Abe Puts Off Reforms
The prime minister’s refusal to liberalize agriculture and Japan’s sclerotic labor market is denying it growth.
Disenchanted Japanese Give Abe Another Chance
Japan’s prime minister wins reelection, but voters are disappointed he has been unable to improve the economy.
Japan’s Abe Calls Snap Elections as Reforms Stall
Japan’s prime minister seeks a fresh mandate for an economic reform agenda that has so far disappointed.
Abe’s Refusal to Shake Up Japan’s Labor Market Spells Decline
Young Japanese can’t find the job security they need to start a family. Their government is doing nothing to help.
Xi Seen Distancing China from North Korea
The Chinese president seem to regard relations with his communist neighbor dispassionately.
Japan’s Abe Shies Away from Structural Economic Reforms
The “third arrow” of the Japanese prime minster’s economic reform program underwhelms.
Chinese Aggression Could Be Informed by Domestic Policy
Aggression in the East and South China Seas need not be part of a plan to push the Americans out.
Putin at Ease in Asia’s Power Politics
The West’s desire to isolate Russia does not seem to resonate in Asia, where interests trump liberal ideals.
Thai Coup Leader: Return to Democracy Will Take Year
General Prayuth Chan-ocha says new elections can only be called after a period of reconciliation and reform.