Political Economy

Another make it or it break it deadline passes in Greek negotiations and the markets take it in stride.  Indeed, the relatively calm markets conceal the angst below the surface.  After nine Euro group meetings since the election of the...

Many expected Japan–Republic of Korea (ROK) relations to reset when the Shinzo Abe and Park Geun-hye administrations first came to power, but the past two years or so have seen further deterioration and pessimism. Many expected Japan–Republic of Korea (ROK)...

The Labour leadership race is hotting up – and it is interesting to watch how the various candidates are going about convincing party members that they are fit to hold the reins of leadership. With runners and riders now all...

The country is insisting that its creditors take a 40% haircut, or it threatens to declare a unilateral moratorium.  Important but self-imposed deadlines are approaching.  The country is not Greece but Ukraine.  The IMF initially insisted that Ukraine reach terms...

The growing Sino–Russian partnership is evidence that the Western policy of isolating Russia has failed. The policy has only served to push Russia deeper into Chinese arms. Russia and China are planning to increase their engagement in Central Asia and...

The recent 2015 Shangri-La Dialogue focused on China, the United States and maritime security. However, those expecting fireworks in the wake of China’s new Defence White Paper and recent sharply worded speeches by US defence officials were left disappointed. The...

So far, 2015 is an eventful year for major-power politics. The European Union (EU) and China just held their fifth round of strategic dialogue talks. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Moscow to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of...

Chinese investment in Sri Lanka is causing major problems for Sri Lanka’s President Mathripala Sirisena and has become a point of tension in Sri Lanka–China relations. Chinese investment in Sri Lanka is causing major problems for Sri Lanka’s President Mathripala...

In the age of derivatives, swaps, and electronic money transfers, a new form of warfare has emerged, financial warfare.  Recently, the US has passed sanctions on countries such as Syria, Venezuela, and North Korea, but the majority of energy related...

The Occupy Hong Kong Movement was sparked by Beijing's announcement of rules for the popular selection of Hong Kong's Chief Executive in 2017.  Essentially, Beijing would appoint a 1200-person committee that would vet the candidates and present 2-3 that would...

There is a specter haunting Europe. A specter that rejects the status quo.  Last weekend, Spain's ruling PP lost majorities in all key municipalities and regional governments.  The opposition itself is fragmented, and nine of the ten major municipalities will...

A number of major issues threaten to degrade, if not entirely disrupt, Myanmar’s elections scheduled for November. These issues include ongoing fighting between the military and various armed ethnic armies, violent social and religious tensions between Buddhists and Muslims, and...

What does China’s rise as a major power mean for Australia? The answer depends on whom you ask. In March 2015, the Sydney Morning Herald’s International Editor, Peter Hartcher, described China as a fascist state that bullies its own citizens...

The 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II offers an opportunity for Northeast Asia to reflect on the lessons learnt from the past and to forge a vision for a peaceful and prosperous future. The Northeast Asian...

Savagely beaten by the left-wing Scottish Nationalist Party in Scotland and the right-wing Conservative Party in England, Labour now faces difficult choices about where the road ahead. As if that were not enough to worry about, the rise of the...