Many Americans think the politics of East Asia is dominated by China on one side and U.S.-Japan on the other. While that may be true on the surface, the dynamics are actually very complicated, and in fact makes that dichotomy false. The pillar of the Japan-U.S. alliance was born out of the Cold War in fear of the former Soviet Union, which no longer exists today in case you … [Read more...] about China, Japan, and U.S., a case of “paper, rock, and scissors”
China
A More Holistic Approach to Improving the Human Condition
Last week, I ran across an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about the stumbles Bill Gates' venerable $700 million effort to help eradicate Polio has taken in Africa. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is recognized as the largest charitable institution in history and perhaps the most important as well. Time Magazine recognized Bill and Melinda as the Most … [Read more...] about A More Holistic Approach to Improving the Human Condition
A Brief History of the Sino-Indian Border Dispute and the role of Tibet
On 3rd July 1914, as Ivan Chen made his way down the steps of the Summit Hall building in Simla, he must have been aware of mixed feelings rising up inside him. He had done something which would have far reaching repercussions; and which would for years be remembered by many people on both sides of the Sino-Indian border, albeit in very different ways - He had just left the … [Read more...] about A Brief History of the Sino-Indian Border Dispute and the role of Tibet
You Scratch My Back, but I Won’t Scratch Yours
The two Asian Giants are still not able to figure out the line which divides them – in the longest running border dispute in modern history. This dispute offers interesting lessons on how to, and how not to, handle boundary issues. The analysis of Chinese behavior in the negotiations is doubly important given China’s perception in the west of it ‘flexing its muscles’, and … [Read more...] about You Scratch My Back, but I Won’t Scratch Yours
Happy New Year, Chen Shui-Bian?
As the Chinese New Year approaches, I think I should write some lighter posts. So here is something funny I stumbled across on WSJ's China Realtime Report: … [Read more...] about Happy New Year, Chen Shui-Bian?