Consolidating East Asia Cooperation: A New Role for Northeast Asia      

The balance of power in East Asia is shifting, presenting new risks to regional stability. In order to mitigate these risks and maintain and strengthen regional peace, stability, and prosperity, it is critical that regional cooperation be consolidated.                                        (Japan Center for International Exchange)

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The South China Sea is the future of conflict         

Europe is a landscape; East Asia a seascape. Therein lies a crucial difference between the 20^th and 21^st centuries. The most contested areas of the globe in the last century lay on dry land in Europe, particularly in the flat expanse that rendered the eastern and western borders of Germany artificial and exposed to the inexorable march of armies. But over the span of the decades, the demographic and economic axis of the Earth has shifted measurably to the opposite end of Eurasia, where the spaces between major population centers are overwhelmingly maritime. (Foreign Policy)

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Thai diplomacy: Where personal, national affairs can’t mix      

Once again personal ad national agenda clashes head-on once Surapong tohwichachaikul, MP from Chianmai, was named foreign minister last week. Focus has been zeroed in on his perceived role whether he will speak on behalf of the country or Thaksin Shinawatra. Lots of questions were also raised due to his close relationship to the former prime minister, who was sentenced to two-year jail term on conflict of interests. Lingering doubts over the minister’s intention would have dire consequences for Thailand’s external relations and its place in the world. (The Nation)

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Rising tensions in Asia Pacific region  

Celebrating the 84t anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Liberation Army Daily (LAD, August 01), the military mouthpiece carried a very important editorial that could have far reaching implications for the Asia Pacific Region (APR). After the usual observation on the Party’s absolute leadership over the army, boosting party building within the army, army-people relationship, the editorial made the following observations. It called on the PLA officers and soldiers to enhance risk awareness and to be mindful of their mission, as the international military competition becomes increasingly fierce and modern wars are fast evolving from mechanical wars to information-based ones. (The South Asia Analysis Group)

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Bold Bid for Peace        

Was it improper for President Aquino to have flown all the way to Tokyo to meet secretly with Murad Ebrahim, the leader of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front? Perhaps. The reactions from certain quarters have the ring of predictable Monday-morning quarterbacking. (The Inquirer)

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European Unrest and Lessons for Asia      

The violence and protests that have wracked Europe this summer – the angry popular demonstrations in Greece, the “indignant” marches in Madrid, the murderous  mayhem in Oslo and the wave of riots across London – are firm reminders that order and stability cannot be guaranteed by advanced political systems. Democracy does not guarantee the safety of citizens. (The Jakarta Globe)

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US-China power play puts heat on ASEAN   
      
AFTER nearly a year of tensions over conflicting territorial claims, East Asian waters have calmed significantly. At last month's Asean meetings, China and South-east Asia agreed on guidelines for implementing the 2002 Declaration of Conduct to govern activities in the South China Sea. (Viet Studies/The Straits Times)

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Asia-Pacific poses multiple challenges  
  

The US returned to the region last year with its new Asia-Pacific strategy to build a “gooselike security pattern” to tackle China’s rise. The US places itself as the leader of Asia Pacific, followed by the US-Japan and US-ROK alliances. The third tier of the US’ security ring is its relationship with allies such as Australia, the Philippines and Thailand, and the fourth is its ties with Vietnam, Indonesia and India. (The China Daily)

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Is China a neighbor to Indonesia?   

One might wonder why this question should be asked. More importantly, does it matter? This article is about Indonesia sharing maritime areas with other countries. (The Jakarta Post)

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Vietnam’s Cabinet: Three Key Ministers Reveal Policy Directions      

A look at three key ministers elected by the Vietnamese National Assembly last week – Phung Quang Thanh at Defense, Vuong Dinh Hue at Finance, and Pham Binh Minh at Foreign Affairs-reveal the pillars of Vietnam’s core policies going forward. (CogitAsia)

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