Will RCEP Change the Game in Asia?

In a move that could represent another step in Washington’s decline and China’s hegemonic ascent in Asia, 15 state ministers signed the RCEP free trade agreement on November 15, 2020. The question weighing on policymakers across Asia, Europe, and the US is whether the RCEP economic bloc will change the global economic balance of power.

Economic Aspects of President Trump’s Visit to Asia

During President Donald Trump’s trip to Asia in November, he dealt with political-security issues alongside various economic issues. The visit lasted almost two weeks and included visits and meetings in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. North Korea's nuclear threat and economic issues were the top two matters under discussion. Trump managed to maintain good relations with all the countries he visited and even strengthened some of them, but it is not certain that this will last throughout his term in view of his incoherent statements on ongoing tensions in East Asia between China and smaller countries.

Israel Upgrades Its Asia Policy

Israel is upgrading its economic relations with Asia by negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with China, South Korea, Vietnam, and India. These agreements will allow Israel to increase trade with Asia and improve its regional status, further solidifying Israel's pivot to Asia.

India Advances in Naval Arms Race With China

India regards China’s efforts to enhance its naval presence in the Indian Ocean as undermining its strategic position. India has beefed up its naval capabilities in response.

South Korea’s Middle East Policy

South Korea’s Middle East policy balances political neutrality with a cautious policy towards Israel, as Seoul is concerned that political support for Israel will jeopardize its positive standing in the Middle East.

The Buddhist-Muslim Violence in Myanmar: A Threat to Southeast Asia

Myanmar's policies towards its minority Rohingya Muslims have sparked a rise in Islamist agitation against Buddhists in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Sunni Sectarianism and the Re-emergence of Jihadism in Indonesia

Recent events in Indonesia raise concern that the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation may be taking a turn toward hardline Islamism. The future of Indonesia’s tolerant Islam is being reassessed.

Global Consequences of the Financial Crisis: A Closer Look to Chinese Prospects

The world financial crisis has hit the Chinese economy and Chinese banks hard, and individual Chinese may find that their savings are wiped out. The prospect of many Chinese seeing their future vanish could lead to political unrest and instability in the country.

How Stable Is Pakistan?

Pakistan's future is exceedingly difficult to predict; the state may fail or fragment. Questions abound: the uncertain ability of President Musharraf to maintain his power, the unpredictability of the election cycle, the untested judgment of the new Army Chief of Staff, the shift of global jihadi volunteers from Iraq to the northwest border sanctuaries of Pakistan, and the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. Faced with few other options, the US is likely to continue to support the Pakistani Army and to hope that Musharraf can somehow engineer a soft landing.