South East Asia

Prospects for Sino-Russian Coordination in Afghanistan

The increasingly close bilateral relationship between China and Russia is one of the most interesting, consequential, and surprising geopolitical developments since the end of the Cold War. Beijing and Moscow — once bitter adversaries — now cooperate on military issues, cyber security, high technology, and in outer space, among other …

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Is No ‘New Warsaw’ or ‘Eastern NATO’

Although the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a regional organization that is generally externally focused in its declarations and statements, it is internally focused in its practices and actions. Since its establishment in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has experienced several horizontal (expansion of members) and vertical (tasks and functions) …

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What to Expect from the Biden-Xi Meeting – And It’s Not Good

With the U.S. suffering significant inflation, and with supply chain disruptions identified as one of the causes, expect little pressure on China to address intellectual property theft, currency manipulation, unfair Chinese government support in distorting markets, or disruptive Chinese trade barriers. The bias will be to put a happy face …

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The U.K. Needs a Coherent Approach to China and Tech Security

Once again, the U.K. appears to be out of step with its closest ally on chips and China, sitting on its hands over the sale of its largest semiconductor factory to a company with alleged links to the Chinese Communist Party. The U.K’s “have your cake and eat it, too” …

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China’s Vision Of Global Ocean Governance Through Maritime Cooperation – Analysis

Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi of the People’s Republic of China delivered his opening remarks at the International Symposium on Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance organized in Sanya by the China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea (CSARC) and the National Institute for South China Sea …

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India Remains Minor Player On Afghan Issues – Analysis

While most of the regional stakeholders have positively responded to India’s invitation to attend the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan on November 10, the fact which cannot be ignored is its Afghan stakes and concerns received hardly any attention at the regional platforms following American withdrawal from Afghanistan. While Pakistan …

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For China, Private Military Companies Are The Future – Analysis

On August 11, nine Chinese workers were killed in a blast in Pakistan, the latest in the string of attacks targeting Chinese citizens. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of Chinese nationals and assets abroad and the need to improve protection and security for workers in foreign countries. As a solution, …

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Economic Interests At Core Of Uzbekistan’s Pragmatic Approach Toward Taliban – Analysis

Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in mid-August, it has struggled to win friends. Achieving international recognition and acceptance still remains an uphill challenge, subject to its ability and, perhaps, willingness to meet the international community’s expectations. The ultra-conservative Islam the Taliban preaches and wants to reinstall in Afghanistan …

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Is the Russia-China strategic partnership turning into a military one?

Washington shouldn’t be surprised, after years of building and leading security bulwarks against both countries. In October, Russia and China conducted a week-long joint naval patrol — their first such exercise in the Western Pacific. Five Russian and five Chinese warships sailed through the international waters of the Tsugaru Strait, …

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Pakistan: The Anti-American “Ally”

In an interview aired in the US in June 2021, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that Pakistan will deny US use of its territory for “over-the-horizon” surveillance of possible terrorist activity in Afghanistan. Now, there are negotiations for the US to use Pakistan’s airspace for military operations in Afghanistan, …

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