North Korea Prepares to Strike American Bases in Pacific
Kim Jong-un orders missiles on standby for strikes against American bases in the Pacific.
East Asia
Taiwan’s Defense Review Consciously Vague
It would be unwise for the island to communicate its military plans to China.
China’s New Premier Promises to Reduce State’s Role
Li Keqiang echoes his predecessor’s words in urging economic and political reform.
Abe Challenges Domestic Interests, Enters Trade Talks
The Japanese premier is driven into a Pacific trade partnership by the need to thwart China.
North Korea Cancels Peace Pacts, Threatens Nuclear Strike
How realistic is the communist regime’s threat of a nuclear attack on the United States?
Wen Signals Status Quo in Final Congress Speech
China’s outgoing premier hints at no structural economic reforms in his parting speech.
Graft Threatens Communist Party Rule: Xi
If China is to fight corruption, it must reduce the state’s role in the economy.
In Washington, Japan’s Abe Reaffirms American Alliance
The partnership with the United States remains the cornerstone of Japanese foreign policy.
North Korea Nuclear Explosion Tests China’s Patience
China expresses its dissatisfaction, but drags its heels on concrete action.
Would Korean Reunification Cripple the South?
Integrating the North’s economy would be difficult but the South also stands to gain.
No Good Way Out China-Japan Island Dispute
There is no good way to solve the security dilemma around the Diaoyu Islands dispute.
New Japanese Government Deepens Burma Engagement
Japan plans to forgive the majority of the debt Burma owes it and invest more in the country.
For Successful Asia Pivot, Obama Has to Engage Russia
Russia will be the swing vote in the “cold war” of the twenty-first century.
Park Holds Onto Presidency for South Korea’s Conservatives
South Korea stays the course with the election of its first female president.
Japan’s Abe Proposes Foreign, Monetary Policy Changes
Shinzō Abe returns the Liberal Democrats to government with a resounding victory.