COVID-19 pandemic — 9DASHLINE

The Japanese yen in a turbulent global economy

Written by Dr Seohee Park

Japan’s currency policy will continue to be a subject of international scrutiny as it is intertwined with the country’s strategic choices in an interconnected global economy.

East Asia9DLApril 18, 2024The Japanese yen in a turbulent global economy, Seohee Park, 9DASHLINE, yen, Japanese yen, JPY, dollar, dollarisation, de-dollarisation, US Dollar, currencies, trade, economy, depreciation, appreciation, exchange rate, export, corporate profits, consumer prices, global financial sector, inflation rates, inflation, central bank policies, Swiss franc, safe-haven currency, low sovereign risk, economic stability, monetary policies, interest rate hikes, US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, lost decade, 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis, Asian Financial Crisis, asset price collapse, 2008 global financial crisis, 2011 East Japan earthquake, Mrs. Watanabe, investors, housewives, international investors, trade surplus, COVID-19 pandemic, Bank of Japan, interest rates, inflationary pressure, raw materials, debtors, Keynesian economics, animal spirits, John Maynard Keynes, deflationary stagnation, stagflation, savings, taxation, fiscal, Abenomics, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Plaza Accord of 1985, Plaza Accord, G5, currency markets, ageing population, wage growth, deflation

Leadership transition: A curious moment in Singapore’s politics

Written by Pradeep Krishnan

Post-independence politics in Singapore has known a few watershed moments; each noteworthy for chipping away at the PAP’s dominance.

Power Politics, Southeast Asia9DLApril 15, 20249DASHLINE, Pradeep Krishnan, Leadership transition: a curious moment in Singapore’s politics, Singapore, Leadership transition, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Kuan Yew, Lawrence Wong, COVID-19 pandemic, People’s Action Party (PAP), Leadership successions, island-republic, illiberal brand of democracy, illiberal democracy, democracy, political stability, economic vitality, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, non-Chinese prime minister, integrity, clean governance, governance, corruption, Senior Minister S. Iswaran, political courtroom drama, National Development Minister Teh Cheang Wan, conflict of interest, inequality, inequality in Singapore, Gini Coefficient, financial hub, Lee Cheng Hui, Tan Chuan-Jin, parliament, extramarital affair, Jamus Lim, opposition, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Workers’ Party (WP), Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Goh Chok Tong, General Elections, gerrymandering, political and civil liberties, mandate, Post-independence politics in Singapore, opposition leader J.B. Jeyaretnam, Group Representation Constituency (GRC), city-state

Navigating Sinophobia amid Indonesia's economic ascent

Written by Dr Narayani Sritharan and Peter Rizkillah

Sinophobia in Indonesia is not merely a by-product of the BRI but a consequence of economic ambition intersecting with security concerns in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

Emerging Issues, Southeast Asia, Most Popular9DLApril 5, 2024Navigating Sinophobia amid Indonesia's economic ascent, NARAYANI SRITHARAN, PETER RIZKILLAH, 9DashLine, China, Indonesia, geopolitics, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese lending, BRI-related loans, infrastructure, Sinophobia, Global South, Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, economic growth, debt sustainability, debt, AidData, Xi Jinping, Global Civilisation Initiative, Global Security Initiative (GSI), development tools, President Jokowi, Chinese investments, influx of Chinese workers, Chinese workers, immigration, labour migration, COVID-19 pandemic, Jakarta, PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI), nickel, nickel processing plant, Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry, Morowali, Central Sulawesi, PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI), Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesian labour regulations, labour disputes, labour unions, ferronickel smelter, Indonesia Country Climate and Development Report, data protection laws, tourist visas, ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, visa-free, visa-waiver policy, North Sumatra, Dairi regency, regional security, Islamist extremist groups, Jamah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), counterterrorism, counterterrorism cooperation

Germany’s Indo-Pacific aspirations and realities

Written by Dr Rafal Ulatowski

Germany is too weak militarily to change the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Its military presence satisfies the expectations of the regional middle powers and of the United States while having only a minor adverse impact on Germany’s relations with China.

Europe and the Indo-Pacific9DLJanuary 10, 20249DashLine, Germany’s Indo-Pacific aspirations and realities, Rafal Ulatowski, Germany, Indo-Pacific, European Union, EU, bilateral, regional powers, liberal international order, open markets, China, trade, Chinese-German cooperation, intergovernmental consultations, German-Chinese partnership, Policy Guidelines for the Indo-Pacific, National Security Strategy, Strategy on China, German Navy, German frigate Bayern, German National Security Strategy, German Strategy on China, US-Chinese competition, diversifying, diversification, democratic values, German-Chinese relations, comprehensive strategic partnership, Federation of German Industries (BDI), partner, competitor, Italy, important partner, systemic rival, military presence, Bayern frigate, Operation Rapid Pacific, Australia, symbolic, middle powers, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, democracies, shared values, resilient supply chains, German arms exports, investments, export, Taiwan, Hing Kong, Hong Kong, malaysia, Thailand, FDI, Luxembourg, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, de-risking, decoupling, Alliance 90/The Greens, Social Democrats, German companies, sensitive technologies, United Kingdom, Bundeswehr, Zeitenwende, NATO, defence spending, 2 per cent goal, Berlin, United States, confrontation, strategic interests, SIPRI, Russia-Ukrainian war, dependence, great powers, COVID-19 pandemic

Increased engagement with Taiwan needs less rhetoric and more (quiet) action

Written by Dr Simona Grano

The key question remains to define and push for concrete tools and policies through which Europe can transform its growing solidarity towards Taiwan into a foundational basis of Europe’s China policy, without failing because of hindrances developing out of tight economic dependencies with China.

Europe and the Indo-Pacific9DLDecember 20, 20239DashLine, Simona Grano, Increased engagement with Taiwan needs less rhetoric and more (quiet) action, China, Taiwan, geopolitics, geopolitical competition, US, trade, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, business, balance, democracy, Taiwan’s autonomy, universal public goods, COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains, semiconductor industry, like-minded, Russian invasion of Ukraine, human rights, Taiwan Issue, global economy, European Union, chip manufacturing industry, European Chips Act, trade agreement, China’s economic coercion, diversification, economic dependence, parliamentarian delegations, World Health Assembly (WHA), INTERPOL, ernational Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), COP28, public health, climate change, civil society, think tanks, NGOs, Taipei, Chinese trade practices, EU-China summit, de-risking

In Conversation with Vincent Brussee

9DASHLINE recently had the pleasure of speaking with Vincent Brussee about his new book Social Credit: The Warring States of China’s Emerging Data Empire.

This book offers one of the first comprehensive assessments of the People’s Republic of China’s infamous ‘Social Credit System’.

Gendered insecurities and gender-responsive security sector reform in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Dr Phyu Phyu Oo

Gender-responsive security sector reform shows promise in recognising the security threats to women and marginalised individuals, and working towards ending such violence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Editor's Picks9DLJune 20, 20239dashline, Gendered insecurities and gender-responsive security sector reform in the Indo-Pacific, PHYU PHYU OO, gender-based violence, sexual and gender-based violence, SGBV, human rights violations, gender-based vulnerabilities, man-made conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics, Indo-Pacific, COVID-19, COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 lockdowns, myanmar, Myanmar military coup, women peacebuilders, human rights defenders, gender-based harm, Pacific Islands, gender-based discrimination, structural issue, gender inequalities, LGBTQI+, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, minority ethnic populations, The Philippines, Myanmar, China, sexual humiliation, Sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, social protection support systems, gendered threats, harmful societal gender norms, societal gender norms, Indo-Pacific countries, structural state failures, state-based solutions, national security actors, gender-responsive security sector reform, security sector reform, SSR, gender-sensitive training, political instability, thailand, post-conflict state building, Solomon Islands, Australian Defence Force, gender-responsive practices, gender-sensitive practices, marginalised individuals, security needs, domestic security sector reform

Sri Lanka is finally on board with the IMF: What’s next?

Written by Nashalie De Silva and Thilina Panduwawala

It will be crucial to communicate the need for these tough reforms to voters and ensure that they benefit from the economic recovery.

South Asia9DLApril 17, 2023Sri Lanka is finally on board with the IMF: what’s next?, 9dashline, Nashalie De Silva, Thilina Panduwawala, Sri Lanka, International Monetary Fund, IMF, IMF Executive Board, Extended Fund Facility, IMF Staff-Level Agreement, economic crisis, economic recovery, debt, Debt trap, debt restructuring, debt relief, creditor, China, Debtbook Diplomacy, debt trap diplomacy, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India, Paris Club, China Development Bank (CDB), loans, COVID-19 pandemic, tax cut, USA, Export-Import Bank of China, moratorium, IMF Board Approval, IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA), IMF Staff Report, Letter of Intent, inflation, unsustainable public debt, Zambia, Ecuador, low-income country, market-access country, fiscal consolidation, populist politics, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, technocrats, economic reforms, anti-corruption, Sri Lanka is finally on board with the IMF: What’s next?

Decoupling from China is not so easy for Japan and Korea

Written by Dr Chang-min Lee

Although both allies of the US, Japan and Korea are forced to compete with each other economically, which is exacerbated by persisting political problems between Tokyo and Seoul.

East Asia9DLApril 10, 20239DashLine, Decoupling from China is not so easy for Japan and Korea, CHANG-MIN LEE, White House, US economic security strategy, economic security, President Joe Biden, CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act, China, US-China competition for hegemony, US-China competition, Japan, Korea, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, decoupling, technology, semiconductor, Samsung Electronics, chip makers, SK Hynix, electric vehicles, North America, Russia, automakers, core minerals, US-China rivalry, COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerability of global supply chains, supply chain security, Reshoring Initiative, foreign direct investment, Near-shoring, Mexico, American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, small yard, high fence, friend-shoring, AI, quantum technology, allies, technology gap, Economic Security Promotion Act, Kishida government, Biden administration, chip alliance, IBM, Rapidus, Toyota, Denso, Sony, NEC, NTT, Softbank, Kioxia, Toshiba, Tokyo Electron, high-tech, TSMC, Taiwan, export, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Human Rights Violation Act, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, foreign trade, friendly nations, National Security Council, pro-China

India’s G20 presidency in 2023: Modi’s time to shine?

Written by Manali Kumar

With the next round of parliamentary elections scheduled for the summer of 2024, Modi is already in campaign mode, and the G20 presidency has all but been declared a success.

South Asia9DLJanuary 26, 2023India’s G20 presidency in 2023: Modi’s time to shine?, 9DashLine, Manali Kumar, India, G20, Bali Summit, emerging economies, debt crises, global economic and financial governance, war in Ukraine, Russia, NATO, Poland, Indonesia, food and energy security, climate crisis, post-Covid economic recession and inflationary crisis, inflation, recession, New Delhi, One Earth, One Family, One Future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s G20 presidency, Global South, ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ (LiFE), disaster risk reduction and resilience, economic crime, green hydrogen, climate financing, loss and damage fund, COP27, cryptocurrency, regulation, Bali declaration, US, Reserve Bank of India, dollarisation, tax evasion, money laundering, protectionism, sustainable development, empowering women, Russia’s war against Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, Russia’s aggression, neutrality, Russian oil, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, sanctions, peace agreement, COVID-19 pandemic, China-US rivalry, diplomacy, re-election

Xi, the state, and war

Written by Maximilian Ernst

Hence, before looking for clues to Chinese foreign policy in the personalities of Chinese leaders, foreign policy analysts would be well advised to first direct their attention to the international level.

East Asia9DLDecember 22, 20229dashline, Xi, the state, and war, Maximilian Ernst, Xi the state and war, Waltz, Kenneth Waltz, 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Chinese President Xi Jinping, Xi Jinping, Chinese Communist Party (CCP), General Secretary of the Party, Central Military Commission (CMC), Central Committee, Politburo, Standing Committee of the Politburo, party factions, former President Hu Jintao, Hu Jintao, Sino-US competition, rising power, military, military-strategic, personality, China’s foreign policy, Taiwan, south china sea, US, opposition, Zhongnanhai, Bo Xilai, counterfactual, structural perspective, international relations, international relations theory, geography, economic power, military power, units in an international system, security, wealth, CCP establishment, Chinese Communist Youth League, Shanghai Gang, Neo-Maoist faction, Kerry Brown, elites, Reform and Opening policies, Deng Xiaoping, Hide-and-Bide, 韬光养晦, Hide-and-Bide strategy, responsible stakeholder, Bind-and-Hedge phase, post-Tiananmen, WTO, Shape-and-Restructure phase, pivot to Asia, rebalancing, first island chain, alliance, Kuril Islands, Japan, Philippines, Malay Peninsula, COVID-19 pandemic, Belt and Road Initiative, Winnie the Pooh

What is Australia’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour about?

Written by Bec Strating

The IPE constitutes a form of ‘normative seapower’ through efforts to exert influence and shape perceptions within the crowded maritime marketplace of norms, ideas, and narratives.

Pacific9DLNovember 22, 20229DashLine, Bec Strating, What is Australia’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour about?, Australian Defence Force (ADF), Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE), military, armed forces, navy, civilians, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, 2016 Defence White Paper, regional security partner, floating diplomacy, hard power, capabilities, soft power, IPE 2021, IPE 2019, COVID-19 pandemic, IPE 2020, regional defence diplomacy, Australia, normative seapower, interoperability, Asia, Pacific, HMAS Canberra, Straits of Malacca, Port Klang, fleet, Patong Beach, Phuket, Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), HMAS Adelaide, Royal Australian Navy, HMAS ANZAC, frigate, Sembawang Naval Base, flotilla, gunboat diplomacy, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)., AUSINDEX maritime exercise, Delhi, Indian Navy, Malabar exercises, Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, air force, army, Defence Strategic Review, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs), United States

Resilience and deterrence to guide Taiwan’s future

Written by Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy

Strengthening deterrence in the face of growing hostility and new threats is where Taiwan’s leaders and citizens must focus more of their energy, in close cooperation with trusted partners, including the EU.

East Asia9DLOctober 25, 20229DashLine, Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Resilience and deterrence to guide Taiwan’s future, Double Tenth National Day Celebration, President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan, resilience, deterrence, EU, post-pandemic recovery, climate crisis, economic inequality, authoritarian threat, strategic dependencies, Russia-Ukraine war, PRC, People's Republic of China, democracy protection, democracy promotion, supply chains, Beijing, economic statecraft, Taiwanese independence, Indo-Pacific, Indo-Pacific Strategy, Raphaël Glucksmann, European Parliament, disinformation, transparency, technology, fact-checking mechanisms, media literacy education, people-public-private partnership, #StrongerTogether, democracy, Audrey Tang, COVID-19 pandemic, semiconductors, New Southbound Policy, bilateral relations, Brussels, Resilient Supply Chains Agreement, Supply Chains Resilience Initiative, SCRI, Russia, sanctions, Taipei, Forward Alliance, Enoch Wu

Death penalty in Southeast Asia: Disturbing trends

Written by Susannah Patton

The mixed picture for the death penalty in Southeast Asia, especially in countries where the death penalty is being actively debated, such as Malaysia, suggests that further advocacy by Australia and other like-minded countries would be timely.

Editor's Picks9DLOctober 19, 20229DashLine, Susannah Patton, Death penalty in Southeast Asia: Disturbing trends, Lowy Institute, death penalty, Southeast Asia, myanmar, Junta, Myanmar's junta, Myanmar Junta, execution, Phyo Zayar Thaw, Ko Jimmy, political prisoners, Frontier Myanmar, Cambodia, abolitionist, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Amnesty International, death sentence, COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19, Singapore, UN, United Nations, ethnic minorities, justice, Capital Punishment Justice Project, drug, drugs, War on drugs, War on Drugs, Vietnam, prison, international scrutiny, Thailand, de facto abolitionist, Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Malaysia, Pakatan Harapan government, Pakatan Harapan, Philippine President Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, indonesia, civil society groups, court, Indonesia’s draft criminal code, criminal, probation, 2017 Universal Periodic Review by the UN Human Rights Council, UN Human Rights Council, Australia, European Union, EU, Australia’s new Labor government

Samarkand 2022 — the ‘China Dream’ of SCO Summits

Written by Giulia Sciorati

As the SCO opens to other Asian sub-regions and even the African continent, Central Asia risks losing its centrality and becoming a minor geographical area compared to the Gulf or Southeast Asia, where the national interests of SCO member states (and China, above all) are prominent.

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