County Report: South Korea (December 2024)
President Yoon Suk-yeol’s attempted imposition of martial law has plunged South Korea into political uncertainty, with its impact likely to extend beyond the country’s borders. On December 14, […]
Country Reports
South Korea
Country Report: South Korea (October 2024)
The recent US presidential debate revealed significant differences between candidates Trump and Harris on foreign policy. Trump proposed pressuring allies like South Korea for defense costs, while Harris […]
Country Report: South Korea (August 2024)
Over two months in July and August, South Korea faced major unpredictable international political challenges. US presidential election prospects, changing rapidly, have become unsettled by the attempted assassination […]
Country Report: South Korea (June 2024)
May and June can be characterized as a period marked by efforts to enhance relations with China and proactive engagement across multiple fronts in Asia and Africa, while […]
Country Report: South Korea (April 2024)
The unfolding events in South Korea between March and April 2024 demonstrate a dynamic environment influenced by complex diplomatic strategies and regional tensions. The South Korean general elections […]
China
County Report: China (December 2024)
In late 2024, Chinese analysts proposed that Chinese symbiosis theory and the Belt and Road Initiative can help the “Global South” overcome factors that hinder its collective rise, […]
Country Report: China (October 2024)
In mid-2024, one Chinese analyst argued that the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) undermines efforts to advance regional economic integration, either via APEC or by using […]
Country Report: China (August 2024)
In mid-2024, Chinese analysts assessed the strength and efficacy of ASEAN in the context of intensifying China–US competition. They explored the impact of this major power competition on […]
Country Report: China (June 2024)
In early 2024, Chinese analysts assessed India’s efforts to assert greater influence in the Global South. One article evaluated India’s attempts to replace China as the leader of […]
Country Report: China (April 2024)
In early 2024, Chinese analysts carefully examined developments in the Indo-Pacific. They explored the differences between India and Japan as regional powers and the reasons for each country […]
Japan
County Report: Japan (December 2024)
The last third of 2024 was nothing less than a disaster for Japanese foreign policy. After the publication of memoires detailing the seedy side of the momentous decade […]
Country Report: Japan (October 2024)
In the summer of 2024 Japanese were reflecting on Prime Minister Kishida’s legacy following his announcement that he would step down in September, were following Russia as its […]
Country Report: Japan (August 2024)
In the waning summer of the Kishida administration, Japanese were concerned about a fast-deteriorating international environment. High hopes on the G7 continued, linked to praise of how the […]
Country Report: Japan (June 2024)
Despite Chinese efforts to revitalize economic relations with Japan, the spring of 2024 saw no resurgence of optimism. The shadow of China’s boycott of Japanese marine products as […]
Country Report: Japan (May 2024)
On February 16 Yomiuri discussed a proposed law making it easier to share secrets and conduct joint research. This aimed to raise Japan to the international level for […]
Russia
Country Report: Russia (November 2024)
Along with some coverage of Ishiba Shigeru’s start as Japan’s prime minister, attention this fall has centered on the BRICS summit—which Russia hosted in Kazan—and on China and […]
Country Report: Russia (September 2024)
Through the summer of 2024 no issue related to East Asia drew more attention than ongoing troubles in Sino-Russian bilateral trade. Other themes were Sino-US relations, China’s economic […]
Country Report: Russia (May 2024)
Putin’s May trip to China and June trips to North Korea and Vietnam showcased the Asian axis of his pursuit of a new world order. Some commentators abroad […]
Country Report: Russia (March 2024)
China, Sino-US relations, North Korea, India, and the BRICS as well as a possible Japan-North Korea summit drew attention in Russian publications in the first months of 2024. […]
Country Report: Russia (January 2024)
Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, or One Belt One Road (OBOR) in Russian eyes) summit in Beijing, Xi Jinping’s summit with Joe Biden […]
National Commentaries
“ROK-Australia-Japan Cooperation”
A Perspective from the ROK
The South Korean perspective toward ROK-Australia-Japan cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region is distinctive, given divergent threat perceptions and sensitivity to Chinese responses. What makes South Korea distinctive from […]
Dongkeun Lee
A Perspective from Australia
Amid a proliferation of new minilateral groupings in the Indo-Pacific, there is fresh momentum building behind a new arrangement: a trilateral featuring Australia, Japan and South Korea. On […]
Tom Corben
A Perspective from Japan
On the eve of a critical US presidential election, US allies would be well advised to prepare for any eventualities. Donald Trump’s “America First” thinking leaves all uncertain […]
Ryosuke Hanada