PacNet #11 – Pragmatism dominate Russia-China Relations
When Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing today (March 21, Beijing time) for his fourth official visit to China, he will join President Hu Jintao to inaugurate the year-long festivities for China’s “Year of Russia,” which will include more than 200 cultural, business, science, and political activities throughout the “middle kingdom.” This will be […]
PacNet #10A – China Woos the South Pacific
China’s rising influence is beginning to extend into remote corners of Asia, including the islands of the South Pacific. In December 2005, Chinese Politburo member Luo Gan and his delegation made a two-day stopover in Tahiti while en route to South America The visit came a day after the official announcement that China would open […]
PacNet #10 – The Future of U.S.-China Relations
With China’s defense budget set to increase by 14 percent next year, U.S. analysts are divided about future of the U.S.-China security relationship. John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago has flatly proclaimed that China cannot rise peacefully, and predicted that “the United States and China are likely to engage in an intense security competition […]
PacNet #9B – Decision Time for the U.S.-ROK Alliance
The U.S.-ROK alliance is at a turning point. South Korea has become a modern, vibrant democracy and a dynamic economy with global reach. Despite the nuclear crisis with North Korea, inter-Korean reconciliation has taken root and South Korea feels confident enough to seek a more independent stance vis-à-vis its neighbors. This confidence has exposed a […]
PacNet #9A – Finding a new center or a zigzag? Elections and FTA negotiations with the U.S.
There may be more dramatic developments in South Korea after two upcoming elections (May 30 local elections this year and Dec. 20 presidential election in 2007). The result could be a “happy ending” if two new rising powers, the New Left and the New Right, converge into a new center.
PacNet #9 – A bumpy road for the U.S.-ROK free trade agreement
After much anticipation, the United States and the Republic of Korea announced on Feb. 4 the commencement of preliminary negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). This announcement was heralded on both sides of the Pacific as a milestone in elevating the relationship between the two allies to a new level. An FTA with […]
PacNet #8B – A finely calibrated nuclear deal
The U.S.-India civilian nuclear negotiations reached another milestone March 2, 2006 when President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed off on the Indian plan to separate its civilian and weapons-dedicated nuclear facilities. Under the plan, India will place about two-thirds of its facilities in the civilian complex, and work with the IAEA […]
PacNet #8A – Nuclear Cave In
Buffeted by political turmoil at home, President Bush sought a foreign affairs victory in India. To clinch a nuclear weapons deal, the president had to give in to demands from the Indian nuclear lobby to exempt large portions of the country’s nuclear infrastructure from international inspection. With details of the deal still under wraps, it […]
Issues & Insights Vol. 06 – No. 05
The threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) continues to grow. The possibility of deliberate or accidental use of those weapons by governments remains uncomfortably high. The growing stockpiles of nuclear materials and the diffusion of related technology and know-how make the prospect of WMD use by nonstate actors appallingly real. […]
PacNet #8 – Bush team must avoid pitfalls in emerging ties with India
President Bush’s visit to India this week is welcome – and overdue. The United States and India have gone a long way from Cold War days of wariness and suspicion to genuine friendship and incipient global partnership. The visit of President Clinton to India in 2000 marked a breakthrough in Indo-U.S. ties, which had been […]