China Reform Monitor: No. 1019
Russia and China consider joint exploration in the Arctic;
Taiwan fears mainland control over media
Russia and China consider joint exploration in the Arctic;
Taiwan fears mainland control over media
New scrutiny in U.S. on Chinese cyber-attacks;
New PLA Navy task force departs for Gulf of Aden
Late Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez proved that one person can make a huge difference. In his case, it was almost universally negative.
Chavez was a committed revolutionary and charismatic dictator driven to build what he called "Socialism of the 21st Century." After being elected president of Venezuela in 1998 he implemented a new constitution seeking a fundamental transformation of the country, promising extensive rights and benefits to the downtrodden and radically augmenting his personal power. He nationalized industries, redistributed wealth, and bowled over any who go in his way.
Hezbollah monitoring Jews worldwide;
Lebanon grappling with Syrian refugees;
National Salvation front to boycott Egypt poll
Public Smoking Ban Becomes Law;
Opposition Leader Faces New Charges
Suddenly, it's springtime for diplomacy with Iran once again. After a year that saw a dramatic escalation of economic pressure against the Islamic Republic, the Obama administration and its allies are now once again talking to Tehran. Yesterday, negotiations concluded in Almaty, Kazakhstan on the latest round of multilateral diplomacy aimed at bringing Iran's nuclear ambitions to heel. Additional talks are now set for April, to be held once again in Kazakhstan.
During Secretary of State John Kerry's listening tour of the Middle East, one troubling regional issue might go unspoken: the possibility that Iran already has nuclear weapons capability.
Taiwan works on new missile... ...while China develops rails for ICBMs Blimps to bolster Washington's air shield
Since her departure from Foggy Bottom on February 1, Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state has received extensive attention—and accolades—from the press. Most assessments have focused on Ms. Clinton's diligence as America's top diplomat, as well as her extensive travel (a total of 956,733 miles in 401 days in visits to 112 countries).
Japan: pre-emptive attack legal under constitution;
New Chinese dams in Tibet raise hackles in Delhi
Magnitsky hearing postponed;
One year after Pussy Riot protest
China facilitating peace talks in Burma;
Renewed scrutiny on money laundering in Hong Kong
On December 14, Richard Baum, distinguished professor of political science at UCLA, renowned expert on Chinese politics, and adviser to presidents, died in Los Angeles. He was among the foremost in an unparalleled generation of Sinologists that was trained during the Mao Era and went on to inform countless Americans about China and its strategic intentions. Ironically, however, even as his contribution to the study of Chinese politics is eulogized around the world, the emphasis on area studies at the American universities that created Professor Baum and his cohort has withered. Today, many of America's best young Sinologists are forgoing academia and instead choosing more lucrative careers in government or the private sector—working for select audiences on specific topics.
Opposition leader placed under house arrest;
Corruption’
s staggering cost
Iraqi Sunnis inspired by Arab Spring;
Bahrain begins talks after two years;
Malian and French troops fight for control
Just what will it take to bring Iran’s nuclear ambitions to heel? The past year has seen a dramatic expansion of economic pressure against the Iranian regime by the United States and Europe, all with a single-minded purpose: to ratchet up the costs to Iran of its stubborn atomic endeavor.
When the South Korean government collected and analyzed the debris from North Korea's mid-December launch of a rocket into space, it made two new—and disturbing—discoveries. The first was that, while the rocket technology used by Pyongyang was partly Chinese in origin, it appeared to have been largely "home grown." The second was that the range of the rocket fired by the North was greater than originally believed, and perhaps as much as 6,000 miles in distance.
In his State of the Union Address, President Obama pledged that "America will continue to lead the effort to prevent the spread of the world's most dangerous weapons."
Kachin rebels in early deal with Myanmar government;
Pentagon expects US to maintain a presence in Afghanistan;
Israel seeks major arms deal with India
Taiwan ex official promotes PRC-ROC military ties;
China-DPRK development zone ready for foreign investment
U.S.-Russian reset “
can be considered over;
Georgian wine ban to be lifted
Russia likely to sell China the Su-35, despite IP concerns;
China to assume management of the Gwadar port in Pakistan
Iran adapts to western sanctions...: ...or does it?;
With an eye towards election, a new order of battle
Sergei Magnitsky on trial...again;
A new tactic to boost population growth
Iran's presidential election may still be some four months away, but the political machinations have already begun. Last week, Iran's Council of Guardians, the powerful governmental oversight body tasked with interpreting the country's constitution, passed a new law imposing additional curbs on the electoral process within the Islamic Republic—and adding a new layer of bureaucracy to its already-convoluted political process.
In late January, the government of the Philippines served official notice that it plans to bring China before an arbitral tribunal over the latter's persistent violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea -- the multilateral treaty that serves as the touchstone for much of the world's behavior on the high seas. The move garnered only limited media coverage, but it provides a telling snapshot of the struggle that is now under way for the shape of Asia.
Surveillance drones for antiterrorism in Africa;
Remaining Islamists hunted in GAO;
Iranian weapons found on Yemeni boat
China, Iran join hands on Syria;
Efforts underway to strengthen National Defense Education
In the conflict zone stretching from Syria to Afghanistan lies another war waiting to re-emerge: Nagorno-Karabakh. This dispute is likely to occupy President Obama’s new foreign-policy team whether they want it or not.
Two decades ago the newly independent states of Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a bitter war over this remote area of mountains and valleys. Armenia won the war, but nobody has achieved peace. A fragile ceasefire signed in 1994 remains the only tangible achievement of diplomacy.
A significant shift is underway in U.S. defense posture. Over the past year, the Obama administration has carried out a public pivot in strategic focus toward the Asia Pacific theater. The reorientation has been driven in large part by concerns over China’s “peaceful” (or not so peaceful) rise to regional prominence—and by an effort to exploit the opportunities that have been created by it. Widespread regional unease over China’s growing footprint among Asian countries has paved the way for stronger relationships between Asia and the United States, as well as a growing willingness to partner with Washington on matters of regional security and politics.
Indian intel warns about Chinese investments;
Pakistan, China launch regional consultations;
India, Pakistan clash over UN roles at LOC
Taiwan to pare back size of armed forces;
One-Child policy to stay for the foreseeable future
Evacuation of Russian citizens in Syria?;
The U.S. quits bilateral civil society panel
Palestinian budget struggles;
Former USSR faring poorly with freedom;
Continuing negotiations over Manas transit
With U.S. troops out of Iraq and leaving Afghanistan, the last thing the American people want to hear about is the potential for another war. But the growing conflict in Mali is not a new war; it is another front in the same struggle against violent extremism America has been waging since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Thousands protest adoption ban;
Another fatal attack in Dagestan
Until recently, most Americans had never heard of the west African country of Mali. They may have heard of the Malian city of Timbuktu, but even then only as a byword used to describe the middle of nowhere. However, an Islamist insurgency has thrust Mali into the forefront of the national security debate, and highlighted the continuing complexities of the struggle against violent extremism.
India's Army chief warns of retaliation after Kashmir violence;
Burma steps up offensive against Kachin rebels;
Indian, Chinese officials hold annual defense dialogue
Provinces scramble to implement Xi’
s “
eight rules”
DPRK trying to lure Chinese investment
Iran intimidates reporters;
A fresh estimate for Iran's nuclearization;
Iran feeds Africa's wars
Iron dome in demand;
Russia fears Chinese nukes;
A new sea-based missile for New Delhi
Today, the United States confronts no shortage of strategic challenges in the Middle East. Initial optimism about democratic change among the countries of the “Arab Spring” has given way to deep apprehension over the ascendance of Islamist forces in places like Egypt and Libya. The post-Saddam government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki remains fragile and unstable, riven by sectarian divisions and propelled by divisive power politics. And al-Qaeda, although down in the wake of the May 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden, is decidedly not out, as frequent bombings in Iraq and mounting unrest in Yemen underscore.
PLA general wants to consolidate maritime security agencies;
Global Hawks to Japan to monitor territorial disputes
During the tenure of the Bush administration, the United States entered into numerous agreements with many countries, including our Cold War adversary Russia, to deal with the growing danger of nuclear terrorism.
Christmas terror plot foiled;
Jailed activist transferred to Siberia
It has been heralded as a humanitarian gesture and a sign of Arab leadership, but Qatar’s decision last week to double its $2.5 billion aid package to Egypt is also a telling indicator of the true economic state of affairs in post-revolutionary Egypt.
Beijing strengthening the Great Firewall;
Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai experimenting with reforms
A new low for Putin’
s Russia?;
Scientists note HIV spike in Russia