- 4 Jun 2015 14:25
Last month I wrote about the possibility that 'Korea fatigue' – a Japanese phenomenon arising from Korea's relentless criticism of Japan over its World War II conduct – might be coming to the US. It was one of my most-read posts on The Interpreter, and I received a lot of comments and retweets regarding my suggestion that South Korea's 'anti-Japanism' flows from its debilitating national legitimacy contest with North Korea.
Long reads
Despite encroachments, China is still Russia’s preferred partner
As long as China doesn't challenge the fundamental system of rule in Russia (as the US does), then it will remain a preferred partner if not an ally.
29 Jun 2017 9:40
A silver fern lining to Fitzgerald collision
In every crisis lies opportunity, so the saying goes. The collision of the guided missile destroyer (DDG) USS Fitzgerald with a Philippines-registered cargo ship, near Japan on 17 June, was a human tragedy, killing seven US sailors in circumstances that defy easy explanation, but which underline...
28 Jun 2017 11:59
A new argument for American global leadership
Jake Sullivan, a former senior foreign policy adviser to Hillary Clinton, is the Lowy Institute's 2017 Distinguished International Fellow. This article is based on a lecture delivered at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia on 15 June.
Three basic premises that formed the foundation of...
28 Jun 2017 11:53
Pacific links: RAMSI, Baldwin Lonsdale, PNG voting update and more
The end of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is being marked with a week of celebrations. Nick O’Malley reports on the end of RAMSI, and the future of the Solomon Islands. The 2017 Lowy Institute Poll shows 77% of Australians believe the use of military forces would be...
28 Jun 2017 8:48
Modi-Trump meeting: Signs of continued convergence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural visit to the Trump White House this week was fraught with uncertainty, with recent irritations in the relationship (visas and climate change), a softening in US policy on China, and tension between Trump’s transactional instincts and the longer-term approach...
27 Jun 2017 17:54
What did we learn from the Asian crisis?
Twenty years ago next weekend, the Thai authorities abandoned their costly defence of a fixed exchange rate, allowing the baht to float. Thus began the Asian crisis, which brought to an end the Asian Miracle era for the countries involved. Not only did Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea suffer...
27 Jun 2017 16:21
Media scrutiny of China is critical for Australia
In responding to recent media coverage of Chinese communist party influence over Australia’s institutional infrastructure ('Where have all the grown-ups gone on China policy?', Australian Financial Review), former Ambassador to China Geoff Raby makes an important point.
The issue is not the recent...