Mr. Unknown and the blogger known as the Saker has collaborated to write an interesting, provocative, and insightful piece end of last year. I truly applaud the effort and feel honored that China does have true friends from Russia. And I am truly heartened to see that there are Russians who do see China as equals ... and more importantly ... as friends. Overall I learned … [Read more...] about Russia and China – Strategic Partners Or Partners of Convenience?
history
Toward a Japan-Anchored Asian Order?
Peter Lee wrote an interesting piece at Asia Times titled "India places its Asian bet on Japan" today regarding his take of India's recent rapprochement with Japan. Before reading this piece, I had regarded Singh's recent trip to Japan as nothing much more than two second-rate power trying to form a second-rate alliance against a perceived first-rate power. But perhaps there … [Read more...] about Toward a Japan-Anchored Asian Order?
The Tragicomedy of Errors: China, British Imperialism, and the Opium Wars
Julia Lovell, in her new book The Opium War: Drugs, Dreams and the Making of China, finds something funny in the tragedy Great Britain has many reasons to feel great about itself. Its empire was the largest in history and covered over a fifth of the world's population. It had more Asian and African colonies than any other European power. It came, it saw, it divided, and it … [Read more...] about The Tragicomedy of Errors: China, British Imperialism, and the Opium Wars
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