http://www.rusi.org/ web@rusi.org en-us Copyright 2008 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C47FE3D1B2E2B3/ Although the world’s attention is focused on the unfolding events in Tibet, the greater threat to Beijing’s power is from neighbouring Xinjiang. The restive province, home of the Muslim Uighur, has been the scene of dissent and anti-Chinese protest for decades. April 2008 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C47DAC1FB45AC3/ Observers of Indonesian politics may have imagined themselves in a time-warp during January 2008, when Suharto once again dominated news. But even after his death, his legacy pervades the Indonesian military. March 2008 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C47CE924490AE5/ The Pentagon has reacted with predictable alarm to the latest Chinese defence budget increase. But there is a genuine risk of a space arms race creating an atmosphere of uncertainty in the West Pacific. March 2008 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C47C2A7467D3C4/ On 11 January, Japan’s parliament enacted a law to resume refueling operations in support of foreign vessels participating in anti-terrorism operations near Afghanistan. To some, the decision represents a long-term shift away from Japan’s pacifist foreign policy. February 2008 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C47AC571D9FE69/ Afghanistan’s refusal to accept Paddy Ashdown as United Nations ‘super envoy’ raises questions about the future of that mission, and more generally the difficulty of post-conflict peace-building missions. February 2008 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C479AEE81E8F91/ President Musharraf's intrepid speech at RUSI highlighted his fraught relationship with the West. Whilst Pakistan should remain ever present on the global conscience, the nature of Western involvement in Pakistan's myriad domestic problems should be dictated by the country's sovereign interests. January 2008 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C478CE916B4B09/ The recent election results in Taiwan neither demonstrate an appetite for rapprochement with China, nor denial that Taiwan is de facto independent from the People’s Republic. January 2008 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4774D085D2EC0/ December 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4769392980F66/ 25 November witnessed the largest rally by ethnic Indian Malaysians in at least a decade. Thousands took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur. December 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4767F7FC47AEB/ In the run up to the South Korean Presidential election, a number of significant events are taking place that will impact North-South relations. December 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C474D7EFB631A6/ What are the implications of the recent electoral victory of Kevin Rudd's Labor party on Australia's defence policy November 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C473826483022F/ Musharraf’s declaration of emergency rule weakens an already unstable political system which has deep implications for security within Pakistan and the wider region. November 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C47334FB2B6F7F/ The Afghan government’s policy of cultivating the co-operation of northern warlords, backed by the international community, is now evidently headed for failure. November 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C472EEEF9B6279/ Short-term goals rather than long-term strategy seem to guide the manner and method in which Musharraf's decisions are made November 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4718E2C48D6F0/ In the early hours of 19 October 2007 in the port city of Karachi blasts intended to assassinate the returning leader of the Pakistan’s Peoples Party, Benazir Bhutto, killed 130 people. October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4718E2184CCBC/ The return of Benzir Bhutto and her attempted assasination suggest a turbulent period for Pakistani stability October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4718DE99DDBD9/ The attack marks beyond any doubt seepage between Pakistan’s political and security woes. Serious doubts must now shroud the practical feasibility of Pakistan holding its parliamentary elections in three months time. October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C47178072ACC04/ Progress over the cross-strait issue can only proceed with new thinking from Beijing; the current offer has been heard before. October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4713350011A58/ The next Australian government will face some tough dilemmas in international policy, especially in defence and security. October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C47132ADB57F97/ The Implications of the Hyuga on Regional Security October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C470FA0D1A0891/ Reshuffle of top PLA officers, and expectations of a stern warning from the Communit Party leadership at this years party congress suggest a turbulent year ahead for cross strait relations October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C470CEC65314CC/ Taiwan's first military parade in sixteen years was designed to demonstrate the island's ability to defend itself. But there was one important omission. October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4704B188E6B8D/ A brutal crackdown by the ruling junta in Burma has extinguished the mass protests. However, the crisis is far from over. October 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46FBC734EF41F/ September 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46FBC5084BAF9/ Fukuda's Choices: Who and Why. September 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46FA7FA6E29CB/ September 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46F91A7E7885A/ Fears grow for violence in Myanmar as protests continue and the military deploys riot police. September 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46F3D8D9A2DE6/ Photos of China's latest nuclear submarines have appeared online in a continuing effort by Beijing's to manage international perceptions of its military. September 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46F25E674A871/ The most important event in China's political calendar is fast approaching. What developments can be expected at the seventeenth party congress? September 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46EEB82D98F54/ Foreign Policy Implications of Fukuda's Candidacy September 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46E90E60CF79E/ Which way will Japanese Foreign Policy go in the Weeks Ahead? September 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46B9B6119306E/ The domestic upheaval caused by Abe's dramatic loss of the Upper House 29 July is set to affect Japan's overseas missions. August 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46B334C544C8A/ August 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46B0C5FEEE163/ Effects on the Relationship with the US? August 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46A4BD5DAEDD5/ Negotiating on the Edge: North Korean Negotiating Behaviour - by Scott Snyder is reviewed by John Hemmings July 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C469B717B10FFF/ In a recent paper: 'Future Trends in Chinese Defence Spending', Jane's Defence Economics analyst Matt Smith outlines the growing space for private companies in the Chinese defence market in addition to the status of and prospects for the current EU arms embargo. July 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C469B3E6836F3F/ July 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46921047A61BF/ July 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4692115BBD5F7/ Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government is looking shaky, to say the least. Although initially riding strong on his policy of rapprochement with China last Fall, the Abe administration has been hit by a number of scandals since December. Abe’s popularity has plummeted to 28% (July ‘07) from a high of 60% (Sept ‘06). July 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C468506F582491/ In a provocative new policy brief, Ashley Tellis challenges the conventional wisdom that China’s antisatellite test (ASAT) was a protest against U.S. space policy, arguing instead that it was part of a loftier strategy to combat U.S. military superiority and one that China will not trade away in any arms-control regime. June 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C467BCC707529C/ Six months on from China's controversial Anti-Satellite test, the United States National Defence University's Institute for National Strategic Studies has spelled out the threat posed by China's new capability. June 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C467BA20D7FE41/ June 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C46712B62EA78F/ June 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C4649D3CB8403F/ The West is in a quandary over the SCO. While some commentators laud its achievements towards Eurasian security, others suspect the SCO will become an anti-US cartel spanning Central Asia with its roots in Russia and China. May 2007 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C452A2EE661B39/ The detonation of a North Korean nuclear bomb is an attempt to dictate the future of the Korean peninsula on its own terms. October 2006 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C452A3FAC780F7/ The UN Security Council is certain to impose sanctions on North Korea. But, since these are likely to involve – at least initially – just cutting off trade and diplomatic contacts, no significant impact is expected. October 2006 http://www.rusi.org/research/studies/asia/commentary/rss/ref:C45114BB4C359B/ Thailand is now almost certain to experience a long period of instability. Pity the ordinary Thais. And watch for more negative developments throughout the South East Asian region. September 2006