A superpower diminished: Trump’s chaotic foreign policy is undermining US credibility in Asia

Written by Hunter Marston

Despite the opportunity presented by American retrenchment, China lacks the soft power to step in as a natural leader and its economic and political influence continue to be met with suspicion by regional elites.

Trump’s climate abandonment will erode US standing, particularly in the Indo-Pacific

Written by James Bowen

The risk posed by Trump’s new strategy will be most pronounced abroad, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Home to the world’s most rapidly developing and energy-hungry economies, it also hosts many fossil fuels and/or prospective clean energy producers whose future trajectories remain open to external influence.

Germans may not be interested in war, but war is interested in them

Written by Jana C. von Dessien

Two decades of wallowing in the comforts of cheap Russian energy, open Chinese markets, and US security guarantees seem to have thoroughly corrupted the entire political class.

China's preferred endgame in Ukraine is a hybrid peace

Written by Dr Justyna Szczudlik

Sympathising with the idea of hybrid peace is a dangerous trap for the West. The only way to undermine Sino-Russian alignment, deter China from aggressive moves, and defend the rules-based order is to do everything possible to help Ukraine win the war.

How the Russia-North Korea alliance challenges China's strategic interests in Northeast Asia

Written by Anny Boc

Beijing’s passive approach only reflects its dilemma of balancing its regional interests with its need to preserve strategic ties with both Russia and North Korea, especially as the competition between China and the United States is likely to intensify.

In Dialogue: Are current debates over the China threat to Taiwan too one-sided?

With Blake Herzinger and Justyna Szczudlik

Raising awareness of any potential war through a debate about what such a crisis may look like must be accompanied by appropriate preparation for what exactly to do if something happens.

The transatlantic puzzle in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Mathieu Droin

The brewing Indo-Pacific architecture is inherently “flexilateral” due to the breadth of factors and the rapidly changing stakes that determine its many actors’ positions.

Europe and the Indo-Pacific9DLJune 28, 20239DashLine, The transatlantic puzzle in the Indo-Pacific, Mathieu Droin, European Union, Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, AUKUS, transatlantic, minilateral, Indo-Pacific, Japan, China, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), India, strategy, flexilateral, Thucydides trap, geoeconomic, trade, geostrategic, ASEAN, ASEAN centrality, clubs, biannual EU-US high-level consultations on the Indo-Pacific, Washington, France, overseas territories, Indian Ocean, Pacific, strategic autonomy, puissance d’equilibres, power of balances, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Pacific Islands, Netherlands, Germany, Council of the EU, EU presidency, Italy, Rome, Tempest programme, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Raisina Dialogue, Denmark, maritime domain, Hungary, Chinese coercion, Lithuania, dependence, Berlin, Beijing, German Indo-Pacific strategy, Central and Eastern Europe, Xi, Putin, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia-China axis, NATO, EU Indo-Pacific forum, South Korea, New Zealand, President Macron, GLOBSEC Forum, North Macedonia, Sweden, Djibouti, Laos, transatlantic Quad, Anglo-Saxons, aspiring powers, rising powers, strategic autonomists, GCAP, Franco-Indian-UAE initiative, freedom to manoeuvre, Quaderateral Security Dialogue, Quad, EU, UK, Thucydides, Giorgia Meloni, Ukraine, Czech, Nato, GLOBSEC, NZ, UAE, CSIC, CSIS

In Brief with Reinhard Bütikofer MEP

This week, 9DASHLINE enjoyed the opportunity to have a candid discussion with Member of the European Parliament, Reinhard Bütikofer, where we sought to gauge his views on Europe, its interests in the Indo-Pacific, and its ties with China.

’We’re going through changes’ – What Xi meant when he spoke to Putin

Written by Dr Kerry Brown

In this context, the one positive Russia offers to China is that it does not belong to the Western bloc. Xi’s seemingly warm words to Putin are an acknowledgement that his enemy’s enemy is his friend.

Editor's Picks9DLMay 11, 20239DashLine, ’We’re going through changes’ – What Xi meant when he spoke to Putin, Kerry Brown, President Xi Jinping, China, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Moscow, geopolitics, Chinese elite, America, Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sino-Russian, China-Russia alignment, Beijing, autocratic norm, democracy, common destiny, Community of Common Destiny, community of common destiny for mankind, win-win, Belt and Road Initiative, Qing, Republican, People’s Republic, Winston Churchill, Second World War, Great Powers, UK, middle-income, sense of destiny, Western hegemony, multipolarity, Western bloc, NATO, Soviet, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, peace plan, nuclear weapons, ‘WE’RE GOING THROUGH CHANGES’ – WHAT XI MEANT WHEN HE SPOKE TO PUTIN, Xi Jinping, Putin, Ukraine, Nuclear, United Kingdom, US, WW2, WWII, Lau China Institute, Kings College London, Centro Studi Sulla Cina Contemporanea Summer School

Italy-China relations under Meloni: Less hard-line than expected

Written by Lorenzo Lamperti

Unable to presently guarantee total alignment when it comes to sharing the American point of view on Russia and the current war in Ukraine, Meloni has chosen to present herself as fully aligned with Washington on the Chinese front.

Europe and the Indo-Pacific9DLFebruary 16, 20239dashline, Italy-China relations under Meloni: less hard-line than expected, Lorenzo Lamperti, Italy, Giorgia Meloni, Taiwan, China, Xi Jinping, Andrea Sing-Ying Lee, Brothers of Italy, right-wing, Taipei, United States, US, People's Republic of China, Forza Italia, the League, Lega, Silvio Berlusconi, Matteo Salvini, Putin, Ukraine, Russia, Russia-Ukraine war, Conte government, memorandum of understanding, MoU, Beijing, Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, Huawei, 5G, Mario Draghi, elections, 2022, Tibet, military action, democracy, Autocracy, Central News Agency, Lucio Malan, Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, Interparliamentary Friendship Group, Tsai Ing-wen, G20 summit, Bali, Italian government, sanctions battle, Xinjiang conflict, Antonio Tajani, Wang Yi, bilateral dialogue, economic relations, crucial sectors, Chinese businesses, Golden Power, LPE, semiconductor equipment, Atlanticism, Guido Crosetto, Australia, Lithuania, foreign policy, ruling coalition, 15th Conference of Italian Ambassadors, Indo-Pacific

Best of 2022: In Conversation

In 2022, 9DASHLINE had the pleasure of speaking with the authors of several insightful books, with topics ranging from the current US-China strategic competition to the history of mountain communities in Nepal. Here we present some of our most thought-provoking In Conversation interviews of the past year.

Editor's Picks9DLJanuary 6, 2023In conversation: Nicola Nymalm on From Japan Problem to China Threat, Nicola Nymalm, US, China, United States, Japan, In conversation: Julia Gurol on 'The EU-China Security Paradox', Julia Gurol, European Union, In Conversation: James Borton on 'Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground', James Borton, SCS, South China Sea, Mekong River, Antarctica Treaty, In Conversation: Amish Mulmi on 'All Roads Lead North', Amish Mulmi, Nepal, Beijing, Tibet, In conversation: Ramon Pacheco Pardo on 'Shrimp to Whale: South Korea From The Forgotten War to K-Pop', Korea, Ramon Pacheco Pardo, In Conversation: Katie Stallard on ‘Dancing on Bones’, Wilson Center, Russia, North Korea, Putin, In conversation: Ali Wyne, Eurasia Group, America’s Great Power Opportunity, Cold War, In Conversation: Salvador Santino Fulo Regilme Jr., Southeast Asia, Global South, Philippines, Marcos Jr.

Best of 2022: Russia’s War and the International Order

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year took the international community by surprise and raised concerns about the precedent this might set especially for China’s policy vis-à-vis Taiwan. The differing responses from countries, particularly established and rising powers, were also scrutinised, and implications were drawn for global governance and the international order.

Faultlines9DLJanuary 4, 2023Russia, Ukraine, The day the music stopped, Jana C. von Dessien, University of St Gallen, Taiwan, Putin, Liberalism from below: The Global South, Indrajit Roy, UN, United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, Liberal International Order, The rationale behind Beijing’s position on the war in Ukraine, Wang Li, University of Aberdeen, China, Beijing, China's Endorsement of Russia's Assault: Implications for Europe and Asia, Justyna Sczudlik, propaganda, Moscow, Lithuania, Europe, Alignment without alliance: China’s growing ambivalence to Putin’s war, Lunting Wu, Kamil Matusiewicz, Nonalignment’s long shadow: India and the Ukraine crisis, ROHAN MUKHERJEE, India, indo-pacific, multipolar order, New Delhi, Japan-Russia: The end of delusions, CÉLINE PAJON, Shinzo Abe, Nicholas Ross Smith, Ukraine — A wakeup call for the United States, Ian Hall, Why India won’t break from Russia… yet

Best of 2022: The Indo-Pacific

Take this opportunity to review some of our most-read analyses from the past year on the evolving strategies of several countries toward the Indo-Pacific.

Faultlines9DLJanuary 2, 2023Preparing for a crowded Indo-Pacific: where to next?, Gabriele Abbondanza, Korea, indonesia, Australia, South Korea, Europe, indo-pacific, Is South Korea’s new Indo-Pacific strategy finally forthcoming?, Wongi Choe, Moon Jae-in, south korea, japan, australia, Elli Pohlkamp, Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp, Tokyo, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Free and Open Indo-Pacific, United States, China, Christiane Heidbrink, Putin, Germany, Scholz, Bundeswehr, Asia-Pacific, France, Rafael Loss, Elisabeth I-Mi Suh, Hamburg Institute for Peace Research, Berlin, The Bundeswehr in the Indo-Pacific, German Council on Foreign Relations, DGAP, The fate of the Indo-Pacific: Lessons from Ukraine and US diplomacy towards Taiwan, Reuben Steff, Martin Jirušek, US, Taiwan, The US should prioritise the Indo-Pacific over Ukraine, Aine Cooke

Russia’s self-inflicted annus horribilis

Written by Joe Varner

The strategic importance of the Russian Pacific Fleet has never been greater to Moscow than it is now as the key means to engage and support Chinese foreign policy objectives in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Most Popular, Pacific9DLNovember 2, 2022Russia, Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Federation, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukraine war, military, Black Sea Fleet, Moskva, cruiser Moskva, Russian Navy, Snake Island, nuclear weapons, sanctions, Admiral Gorshkov, Soviet, aircraft carrier, cruisers, destroyers, China, Russia’s Pacific Command, Pacific Fleet, Eastern Military District Headquarters, Khabarovsk, Russia’s Pacific fleet, nuclear deterrence, naval diplomacy, Indo-Pacific region, Mediterranean, International Institute of Strategic Studie, Borey-class, Delta III nuclear-powered strategic ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), Oscar II and Yasen-class nuclear-powered guided-missile submarines (SSGN), Akula and Akula II attack submarines (SSN), conventional-powered Kilo and improved Kilo patrol submarines (SSK), Slava-class guided missile cruiser, Udaloy I and Sovremenny-class guided missile destroyers, Steregushchiy-class frigates, corvettes, mine warfare ships, amphibious vessels, anti-ship missile brigades, fighter squadron, attack helicopter squadrons, squadron of Tu-142 Bear strategic bombers, electronic warfare, Russia’s nuclear deterrent, Soviet-era, Borey-class submarines, Delta III submarine, Steregushchiy-class corvettes, Eastern Military District’s Naval Infantry, Second World War, geography, geostrategic, Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO, Finland, Sweden, NATO, Russia’s Baltic Fleet, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Turkey, Moscow, Norway, Russia’s Northern Fleet, Kola peninsula, Russia’s Pacific Fleet, Sea of Okhotsk, ballistic missile submarines, forgotten Pacific power, Chinese Civil War, Korean War, North Korea, Indo-Pacific, the West, Beijing, Baltic region, Central Europe, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Xi Jinping, US, allies, Japan, Taiwan, Sea of Japan, East China Sea, Pacific Ocean, Tsushima Strait, South Korea, La Pérouse Strait, Russian Ministry of Defence, Russian war games, Vostok 2022, Russia’s Far East, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Syria, United States Coast Guard, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, United States Exclusive Economic Zone, Cape Soya, Hokkaido, Hokkaidō, green-water navy, Russia’s self-inflicted annus horribilis, Joe Varner, Black Sea, Pacific, International Institute of Strategic Studies, SSBN, Ukraine War, Xi Jingping

The EU ventures into the strategic “jungle”

Written by Mohammadbagher Forough

While tropes such as ‘values’ and ‘standards’ are promoted as the main feature of the Global Gateway’s connectivity agenda, African countries (and many others in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America) will not overlook the fact that this promoted feature contrasts uneasily with neo-colonialist-sounding dichotomies like ‘garden/jungle’.

Faultlines9DLOctober 27, 20229DashLine, Mohammadbagher Forough, The EU ventures into the strategic “Jungle”, European Diplomatic Academy, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Vice-President Borrell, HRVP, garden, jungle, diplomacy, European Union, European Commission, geoeconomic, Global Gateway, Western, Europe, US security, Russian energy, Asia, Pivot to Asia, Biden administration, Indo-Pacific, Russian war against Ukraine, Ukraine, Russia, strategic autonomy, geopolitics, Ursula von der Leyen, China, EU’s Chips Act, John Keats, Germany, China strategy, Olaf Scholz, business lobby, France, Global Gateway initiative, EU Global Gateway Initiative, Europe’s Global Gateway, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), supply chains, resilience, shared communities of interest, India, Africa, Cold War, anti-colonialism, Middle East, Latin America, neo-colonialist, Robert Kagan, colonialism, racism, Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”, Putin, Edward Said, decolonial

Japan-Russia relations: Stronger stance needed on energy imports

Written by James DJ Brown

The Kishida administration’s record since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is impressive, especially compared to Abe’s pandering to Putin. Yet Japan needs to go one step further by rapidly cutting imports of Russian gas.

Faultlines9DLOctober 7, 20229DashLine, Stronger stance needed on energy imports: Japan-Russia relations, James DJ Brown, Japan, Russia, Russian aggression, Russia-Ukraine war, G7, energy, Putin, Kishida, Crimea annexation, Shinzo Abe, solidarity, Russian economy, territorial dispute, eight-point economic cooperation plan, General Oleg Salyukov, Salyukov, Fumio Kishida, Ukraine, international law, China, Kishida government, shinryaku, sanctions, sanctions package, Russian energy, coal and gas imports, expelling diplomats, fiscal support, non-lethal equipment, overseas transfer of defence equipment, Ukrainian refugees, Tokyo, Moscow, Nikolai Patrushev, Russophobes, Kuril Islands, Southern Kurils, military activities, live-fire drills, Vostok-2022 exercises, Defence Minister Hamada Yasukazu, Yasukazu Hamada, strategic bombers, warships, Sergey Lavrov, Federal Security Service, FSB, Zelensky, Minister for Economic Cooperation with Russia, LNG, liquified natural gas, hydrocarbons, energy security, Hagiuda Koichi, gas imports, Russian gas

In Conversation: Katie Stallard on ‘Dancing on Bones’

9DASHLINE recently sat down with Katie Stallard to discuss her new book ‘Dancing on Bones: History and Power in China, Russia, and North Korea’. Drawing on first-hand, on-the-ground reporting, this fascinating book examines how the leaders of China, Russia, and North Korea manipulate the past to serve the present and secure the future of authoritarian rule.

In Conversation9DLSeptember 6, 2022In Conversation: Katie Stallard on ‘Dancing on Bones’, 9DashLine, Katie Stallard, China, Russia, North Korea, authoritarian rule, regime types, historical memory, political tool, Soviet, ‘century of humiliation’, CCP, Mao Zedong, Kim Il-sung, Japan, US, regime mythology, Korean War, Putin, Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping, Ukraine war, Kremlin, Moscow, Pyongyang, Beijing, Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Il, intercontinental ballistic missile, nuclear programme, long-range missile capabilities, Post-Soviet Russia, The Great Patriotic War, Cold War, USSR, nationalism, strong-man politics, populist, ‘patriotic education’ initiatives, populist narratives, WWII, Kim Jong-il, Great Patriotic War, WW2, Chinese Communist Party, Xi, Nazis, fascists, Jewish, Holocaust, Ukraine, Crimea, Kyiv, Kim Il Sung, South Korea, ICBM, Trump, Donald Trump, George Orwell, Oxford University Press, New Statesman

The China-Russia ‘no-limits’ friendship in full swing

Written by Justyna Szczudlik

Possible concessions from China would neither be cost- and condition-free, nor change the nature of Beijing-Moscow ties. The best way for the West to deal with the China-Russia alignment is to acknowledge that these bonds are strong and to improve its own resilience and deterrence capacities.