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 Reports
South Korea
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 […]
Country Report: South Korea (February 2024)
South Korea and the United States have decided to begin negotiation this year to conclude the 12th Special Defense Cost-Sharing Agreement (SMA), which will take effect from 2026. […]
Country Report: South Korea (December 2023)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of fostering military ties and collaborative security efforts during his November 8-9 visit to South Korea, particularly in the […]
Country Report: South Korea (October 2023)
The evolving dynamics in South Korea’s geopolitical landscape, characterized by diplomatic intricacies, defense concerns, and cultural influence, undeniably underscore the nation’s multifaceted role in the global arena. The […]
China
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 […]
Country Report: China (February 2024)
During the winter of 2023–4, Chinese analysts devoted significant attention to developments in the Indo-Pacific, with particular attention to the role of India. One analyst examined the relationship […]
Country Report: China (December 2023)
In late 2023, Chinese analysts devoted significant attention to the Indo-Pacific. One analyst examined the implementation of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy under the Biden administration, while evaluating internal […]
Country Report: China (October 2023)
In mid-2023, Chinese analysts evaluated the role of US minilateralism in US Indo-Pacific policy, most notably the Quad and AUKUS, arguing that it was likely to produce systemic […]
Japan
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 […]
Country Report: Japan (March 2024)
Through the winter of 2024, as Kishida Fumio suffered low ratings amid an LDP funding scandal, foreign affairs were a secondary concern. End-of-year and start-of-year meetings kept relations […]
Country Report: Japan (January 2024)
In the late autumn of 2023, there was no dramatic development in Japanese foreign policy. Prime Minister Kishida’s trip to the San Francisco APEC summit reinforced existing thinking […]
Country Report: Japan (November 2023)
Across the two months of September and October 2023, Japanese articles covered the UN General Assembly leaders’ meeting, the G20 summit, a difficult phase of Sino-Japanese ties impacted […]
Russia
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 […]
Country Report: Russia (November 2023)
Favorite themes in Russian publications in the late summer and fall of 2023 were the BRICS summit—a symbol of a new world order led by Russia and China—the […]
Country Report: Russia (September 2023)
Russian writings on Asia in the late summer of 2023 ranged from encomiums to China’s success to alarm about its revanchism. Some struggle with uncertainty about its economic […]
OPEN FORUM
Russian-Chinese Cooperation in the Arctic: Will NATO Step up to the Challenge?
Russian-Chinese cooperation in the Arctic constitutes a challenge to all Arctic NATO member states. Nevertheless, so far national defense priorities do not reflect that the Arctic is undergoing […]
Liselotte Odgaard
From Like-Minded to Like-Acting: The EU-ROK Strategic Partnership in Times of Crisis
The year 2023 marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the European Union (EU). From early beginnings […]
Francesca Frassineti
National Commentaries
“South Korean Threat Perceptions”
A View from South Korea
Threat perceptions are all relative and often do not correspond to objective reality. They are shaped not only by history, proximity, and the nature of issues between countries, […]
Kuyoun Chung
A View from the United States
The 2024 world faces globe-spanning conflict, political instability and polarization, and the threat of disinformation. Korea is not immune to these forces. The Yoon Suk-yeol administration has made […]
Darcie Draudt-Véjares