Program Related Publication Feeds

PacNet #35R - Response to PacNet #35 "Rescind China's invitation to join RIMPAC"

Jesslyn@pacforum.org — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0400

Shirley Kan’s “Rescind China’s invitation to join RIMPAC” (PacNet #35) offers a thought-provoking recommendation on dealing with China’s increasingly belligerent strategic behavior.

Issues and Insights Vol. 16, No. 3 - The Future of Nonproliferation Cooperation with Myanmar after the 2015 General Election

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500

The Pacific Forum CSIS, with support from the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) and the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Strategic Programme Fund (FCO/SPF), held the third US/UK-Myanmar Nonproliferation Dialogue in Yangon, Myanmar on Dec. 9-10, 2015.

PacNet #15 - The threat to China’s security isn’t THAAD, it’s North Korea

Jesslyn@pacforum.org — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500

With North Korea’s Jan.

PacNet #11 -- Domestic interests and “strategic benefits” in Australia-Japan submarine deal

galmeida — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Prime Minister Abe Shinzo continues to lead Japan’s effort to sell subs to Australia, pushing the Soryu-class submarines in his Dec. 18, 2015 meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Issues and Insights Vol. 16, No. 1 - Development Cooperation with North Korea: Expanding the Debate Beyond the Political Horizon

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 00:00:00 -0500

Policy makers in the United States, South Korea, China and other countries continuously craft plans of action for a potential future scenario when North Korea becomes more open, either by collapse or through a gradual process. This paper seeks to spark a similar discussion but about development cooperation with North Korea.

PacNet #52 - Reward India’s nonproliferation good behavior

Jesslyn@pacforum.org — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0400

In June, India made yet another bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

PacNet #51 - The DPP’s strategic ambiguity toward China

Jesslyn@pacforum.org — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 -0400

Any political party in Taiwan hoping to manage cross-strait relations must handle two relationships: one with Taiwan’s public and the other with the Mainland Chinese leadership. While the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s cross-strait policy attends to the two, it is unevenly focused.

PacNet #27 - The 2015 US-Japan Guidelines for Defense Cooperation: toward “A More Balanced and Effective Alliance”

Jesslyn@pacforum.org — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

While the media has focused on how Prime Minister Abe Shinzo will treat history in his speech to Congress next week, another historic development should occur days before Abe reaches the podium. Monday, US and Japanese officials are expected to approve a major revision of the Guidelines for US-Japan Defense Cooperation – the third in the alliance’s history.

Issues and Insights Vol. 15, No. 5 - A Legacy of Peace: The US-Japan Partnership after 70 years

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The event that elicited the enclosed recommendations was made possible by the generous contribution of the Japan-US Friendship Commission. Its support for Pacific Forum CSIS and the Young Leaders Program allows us to continue to forge bonds across the Pacific and to bring more voices to these important discussions on Japan-US relations.

Issues & Insights Vol. 15 - No. 4 - Cooperation among BRICS: What Implications for Global Governance?

joni — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0400

The acronym BRICS, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, was first introduced in a Goldman Sachs paper in 2001 (the acronym then was BRICs since South Africa was not included), but hasn‟t institutionalized until eight years later when the first four countries met for the first time to identify areas of common interest and concern.

PacNet #14 - The Time is Right for US-China Nuclear Dialogue

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0500

As part of the so-called 'new type of major-country relations,' there has been a proliferation of official dialogues between the United States and China.

PacNet#12A - US-Thailand relations steadily losing warmth?

Jesslyn@pacforum.org — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

US-Thai relations have been frosty since the May 22, 2014 ousting of the Yingluck Shinawatra government and that chill deepened after the January visit of Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel.

Issues and Insights Vol. 15, No. 3 - The US-Japan Alliance in Transformation

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Executive Summary

This report explores ways to strengthen the US-Japan alliance, with a particular emphasis on the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) recommendation to relocate the USMC Futenma Airfield to a sea-based facility, also known as the FRF (Futenma Relocation Facility).

PacNet #8 - Womenomics: solution for Japan’s decline?

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

On Oct. 20, 2014, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo accepted the resignation of two women in his Cabinet – Obuchi Yuko, minister of economy, trade and industry, and Matsushima Midori, minister of justice – amid scandal over campaign irregularities and financing.

Issues and Insights Vol. 15, No. 1 - Trilateral Cooperation in Northeast Asia: Expectations and Limitations

Tue, 20 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

Korean version of report is now available here

PacNet #4 - Cybersecurity cooperation with Taiwan: an opportunity for the US-Japan alliance

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500

The United States and Japan pushed back the release of the newest version of the US-Japan Defense Cooperation Guidelines – a strategy that outlines common objectives and priorities of the two allies and how each country, and the alliance, can contribute to desired outcomes – until the middle of 2015.

Issues and Insights Vol. 14, No. 15 - Closing the Nonproliferation Gap

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0500

The Pacific Forum CSIS, in partnership with National Chengchi University’s Institute of International Relations, and with support from the US Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program, held a workshop on strategic trade controls in Taipei, Taiwan, on September 2-3, 2014.

PacNet #74 - Forward Together We Go with Japan: ‘Dazzling’ US-India Rapprochement for Tokyo

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0400

The meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama, Sept. 29-30, was warmly welcomed by Tokyo, which seeks to expand US-Japan security cooperation with New Delhi.

PacNet #73 - The great game in Central Asia

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400

One of the main criticisms against Washington’s attempt to sanction and otherwise punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for his aggressive actions in Ukraine is that this is driving Russia and China closer together in an anti-American axis.

Young Leader Connections - September 2014

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Issues and Insights Vol. 14 - No. 13 - Building Trust on the Korean Peninsula:

joni — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Amidst increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula following a series of North Korean military provocations and a third nuclear test, the Park Geun-hye administration entered office in 2013 on a political platform aimed at building trust with the South Korean public, between the two Koreas, and among regional neighbors.

PacNet #71 - SEACAT2014: toward an enhanced US-ASEAN maritime security partnership

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400

This year marks the 13th iteration of the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise between navies of the US and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Issues & Insights Vol. 14 - No. 12 - Substantial progress, but still further to go

Tue, 02 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Young Leaders Connections - August 2014

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0400

August 2014 Issue Highlights:

PacNet #60 - Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0400

PacNet #60 - Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden eggs by Ting Xu

Ting Xu (ting.xu@aetosworld.com) is a non-resident Handa Fellow at the Pacific Forum CSIS and director of advisory at Aetos Strategy & Advisory in Hong Kong.

PacNet #57 - Fresh Opportunities for Japan-Korea Cooperation

ellise — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Jonathan Berkshire Miller [jbmllr@gmail.com] is a non-resident Sasakawa Peace Foundation fellow at the Pacific Forum CSIS and Chair of the Japan-Korea Working Group, a Young Leaders initiative that focuses on ways that Japan and Korea can work together. The Group’s first report was published this month and outlines policy recommendations for Japan-Korea cooperation. The online version is available here and at http://bit.ly/1r7GsHN.

Issues and Insights Vol. 14 - No. 10 - Japan-Korea: Working Together in East Asia and Beyond Japan

joni — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0400

PacNet #54 - Smart-Power Bounty of RIMPAC 2014

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Nicole Forrester (Nicole@pacforum.org) is director of the Young Leaders Program at Pacific Forum CSIS. She is a former Australian diplomat and senior international relations adviser.

Young Leaders Connections - July 2014

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0400

July 2014 Issue Highlights:

Issues & Insights Vol. 14 - No. 7 - Revisiting China's 'String of Pearls' Strategy

joni — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Proposed in the early 2000s by US researchers in response to Chinese investment in ports along the Indian Ocean littoral, the ‘string of pearls’ theory argued that China may be planning to develop overseas naval bases in South Asia to support extended naval deployments.

PacNet #46 - Toward a Unified Asian Regional Order

joni — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

The Asia-Pacific region is at a turning point. After several decades of robust economic growth in Southeast and Northeast Asia, the region is home to many of the largest and most dynamic economies in the world. This increased economic power has driven the growth of military capabilities in a region dotted with flashpoints that could spark interstate conflict.

Issues & Insights Vol. 14 - No. 6 - Forging Cooperation over Competition

joni — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Prioritizing mutual trust and win-win cooperation was the topic of the 9th Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) General Conference held in Beijing and the subject under consideration by attending CSIS Pacific Forum Young Leaders.

PacNet #43 - Preempting a crisis on the Korean Peninsula: lessons from Ukraine

joni — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Moscow’s recent actions in Crimea will affect world politics for years. The aftershocks will be felt not just in Europe but in Asia as well. Contemplating Russia’s annexation of Crimea, experts have lamented the impact on international law, the perceived weakness of the US and its allies, and the lessons that countries like China may learn regarding the cost of unilateral action.

Issues & Insights Vol. 14 - No. 5 - Kim Jong-Un-Prepared: Allied Contingency Plans for Korean Peninsula Unification

joni — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

This Issues and Insights presents ideas on the three allies’ areas of cooperation in a North Korean contingency, from the question of political integration of the two Koreas and the establishment of governance and rule of law on the Korean Peninsula, as well as cooperation on humanitarian assistance and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) operations, determining the complexities and legal p

Young Leaders Connections - June 2014

Sun, 01 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Check out the launch of our NEW and improved YL Connections e-Magazine!

"Considering Peace" Series

Sat, 17 May 2014 00:00:00 -0400

This “Considering Peace” series, which has its roots in the WSD-Handa Global Opinion Leaders Summit held in Tokyo on September 6th, is part of an on-going partnership between the Pacific Forum CSIS Young Leaders Program and the International Relations and Security Network (ISN).

PacNet #38A - China sending giant oil rig to Vietnam’s EEZ: Four strategic mistakes

joni — Wed, 14 May 2014 00:00:00 -0400

China on May 1 moved its giant indigenous oil rig, Hai Yang Shi You (HYSY) 981, southward in the South China Sea (SCS). The new location, only 120 miles from Vietnam’s shore, is well within Vietnam’s continental shelf and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). To support and protect this oil drilling structure, China dispatched over 80 vessels, a number that continues to rise.

Issues & Insights Vol. 14 - No. 4 - Rare Earth Elements: A Critical Strategic Resource in Asia

joni — Tue, 13 May 2014 00:00:00 -0400

Rare Earth Elements (REE) are increasingly a critical strategic resource in Asia. These 17 elements are used in the production of most high-tech products from advanced military technology to mobile phones. China currently holds claim to over 90 percent of the world’s production.

May 2014 Young Leaders Newsletter

Thu, 01 May 2014 00:00:00 -0400

May's edition of the Young Leaders newsletter focuses on our 2014 Pacific Forum resident WSD-Handa fellows - Pete Yemc and Yujie Yang.

The DC YL Chapter panel discussion, "Pathways to a Successful Career in Asia Foreign Policy" hosted in late-April is also highlighted in this issue.

April 2014 Young Leaders Newsletter

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 00:00:00 -0400

The April edition of the Young Leaders newsletter highlights the 20th annual Japan-US Security Seminar and Sasakawa Peace Foundation Fellows Conference in Washington, DC. Publications featured in this issue by resident Vasey fellow, Ms. Nanae Yamashiro, and Young Leader Ms. Yun Sun. The Japan-South Korea Virtual Working Group partnership with The National Interest is also announced.

PacNet #19 - Okinawans want dignity, not just development: Prime Minister Abe, go to Okinawa

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0400

The US base relocation process in Okinawa has made progress in recent months, although it has been fitful. At the end of last year, Okinawa Gov. Nakaima Hirokazu approved the landfill application, signaling his acceptance of the move of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the northern part of the main island of Okinawa. One step forward.

March 2014 Young Leaders Newsletter

Sat, 01 Mar 2014 00:00:00 -0500

The March edition of the Young Leaders newsletter highlights the 2014 Board of Governors' dinner celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Young Leaders Program. A Young Leader publication is featured by Ms. Aiko Shimizu, resident Sasakawa Peace Foundation fellow, which examines Japan's energy crisis. Upcoming fellowship opportunities at Pacific Forum are also announced in this issue.

February 2014 Young Leaders Newsletter

Sat, 01 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0500

The February edition of this newsletter highlights the Young Leaders 2014 Giving Challenge. The 2014 Giving Challenge aims to raise $10,000 by Feb. 25 to support an endowment for Pacific Forum's signature next-generation leadership effort.

December 2013 Young Leaders Newsletter

ellise — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The December 2013 Young Leaders Newsletter highlights the November Global Opinion Leaders Summit, funded by Dr. Handa Haruhisa and Worldwide Support for Development. The Summit allowed Young Leaders the opportunity to meet with both former US President Bill Clinton and former US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Issues & Insights Vol. 13 - No. 15 - Time for Fresh Air: Young Leaders' Responses to a World in Transition

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Missing the good old days? When there were only two large powers having a global ideological war? Recent events in Egypt, Libya, and Syria, among others, make clear that it has become harder to predict the driving force of international politics and security.

November 2013 Young Leaders Newsletter

ellise — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The 2013 Young Leaders Newsletter highlights the depth of US-Japan Young Leaders networking, a summary of the CHINA Town Hall event held in Honolulu, and several recent publications by Young Leaders.

Issues & Insights Vol. 13 - No. 13 - Regional Security Trends: Next Generation Perspectives on Cooperation

galmeida — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400

On 2-3 June 2013, the Pacific Forum CSIS Young Leaders met in Manila, Philippines in conjunction with CSCAP.

PacNet #78 - Body Language: A Sign of ROK-Japan Relations

Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400

At the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Bali earlier this month, there was no missing the cold atmosphere between ROK President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Their frosty interactions were like a scene from a Korean drama, especially when contrasted with the warmth shared between Park and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

October 2013 Young Leaders Newsletter

Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The October 2013 Young Leaders Newsletter highlights Pacific Forum's inaugural Asia Pacific Affairs Leadership Program (APAL), and a profile spotlight of current resident Kelly fellow Stephanie Kang.

PacNet #76 - Of Symbols and Substance

galmeida — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A few days before President Barack Obama was to travel to the region to underscore his Asia pivot, it turned out that United States domestic policy needed to be rebalanced more urgently.