What Libya tells us about Asian navies   
   

In months to come, the Libyan crisis will be analyzed for its significance in the era of Arab uprisings. One consequence is already apparent: Libya’s humanitarian emergency suddenly highlighted the power projection capabilities of leading Asian navies and raises questions about the wisdom of a retiring military role for Europe. (The Daily Star)

(click on the headline to continue)

In India, Doubts Gather Over Rising Giant’s Course     
    

India's economy is going great guns. Among the world's major nations, its growth is second only to China's. Yet in recent months, the mood in the planet's most-populous democracy has soured badly—to the point where even some of India's richest people have begun to complain that things are seriously amiss.               (The Wall Street Journal)

(click on the headline to continue)

Seoul, Tokyo ‘at war’ over history   
   

Over the past decade, Japan has stepped up, both in quality and quantity, its territorial claim over the Dokdo islets in the East Sea. South Korea has responded accordingly.  Some historians have characterized the territorial dispute as a war over history between the two nations. A variety of factors, including Japan’s lesson from the diplomatic row with China over disputed waters near the East China Sea last year, could be behind Japan’s nationalistic campaign in history education. (The Korea Times)

(click on the headline to continue)

Nervous Neighbors: China Finds a Sphere of Influence   
   

In many respects, it is the structure, principles, and process of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—the now ten-member economic organization formed by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand in 1967—that make it vulnerable to Chinese influence as Beijing flexes its regional muscle. With its amorphous objectives of economic growth, social progress, and regional stability, ASEAN has proven so weak that it poses an opportunity rather than a threat to China. (World Affairs)

(click on the headline to continue)    

Japan’s Tragedy – Will China Opt for Less to Gain More?   
   

The megaquake which recently hit Japan not only caused a gargantuan triple tragedy (earthquake, tsunami, radiation), but could also provoke tectonic geopolitical shifts in the entire region. The crucial question that the tragedy has tabled is how and who will shape the future regional architecture. In other words, will China full heartedly help Japan’s recovery, assume more responsibilities, and direct its forces towards building a genuine community of Asian nations, or will it try to take advantage of Japan’s hardship and use its weakened position for proceeding with more assertive policies.

India looks East in search of new partners   
   

India's signing of comprehensive economic pacts with both Malaysia and Japan in the past few weeks is only the latest signal of how seriously the country is pursuing its 'Look East' policy. In a spate of recent regional engagements from Indonesia to Vietnam, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made it clear that his government's foreign-policy priority will be East and Southeast Asia, regions poised for sustained growth in the 21st century. (The Diplomatic Courier)

(click on the headline to continue)

China’s repression undoes its charm offensive   
  

Over the past decade, China’s economic and military might have grown impressively. But that has frightened its neighbors into looking for allies to balance rising Chinese hard power. The key is that if a country can also increase its power of attraction, its neighbors feel less need to balance its power. (The Washington Post)

(click on the headline to continue)

Russia helps Bangladesh join the South Asian nuclear gold rush   
   

Bangladesh’s recent announcement of a deal with Russia to construct its first nuclear reactor marks a broadening of the nuclear gold rush in South Asia. The latest deal is part of a big expansion of nuclear generation throughout the region. India plans to build some 25,000 MW of nuclear generating capacity using Russian, French and perhaps US and Japanese technology; Pakistan is building a second nuclear plant with Chinese assistance; and Sri Lanka is reportedly in talks with China to build nuclear capacity. (East Asia Forum)

(click on the headline to continue)

Japan’s moment of crisis   
   

Will Japan's triple-disaster serve as a public wakeup call that fosters the emergence of new leaders willing to put the good of the nation as a whole over petty factional interests? (The Japan Times)

(click on the headline to continue)

A Step Too Far: Why CPGS is the Wrong Answer to China’s Access Challenge   
    

In March 1996, the waters of the Taiwan Strait were roiled by Chinese live missile firings and massive military exercises. Washington answered Beijing’s blunt demonstration of coercive military diplomacy by promptly dispatching two aircraft carriers to the scene… Fifteen years later, the region’s tactical environment could hardly be more different.  (Asia Pacific Bulletin)

(click on the headline to continue)