North Korea: A ceaseless rise and the battle for succession

Written by Joe Varner

Differences between the current White House and an incoming Biden administration could be thrown into sharp relief in response to an ICBM test-fire by the North, as one is charged (even in its dying days) with protecting the US, while the other is chomping at the bit to set a new course in two months time.

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Myanmar’s NLD wins election but loses fight against disinformation

Written by Hunter Marston

The NLD failed to set clear policies to deal with misinformation or the deliberate spreading of misleading information. Worse, it has targeted journalists and critics of the government for speaking out, while it did nothing to challenge military-linked opponents who spread misinformation.

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In Brief: Digital Minister Audrey Tang — Taiwan

With Audrey Tang

There are various propositions, like data trust, data coalitions, data cooperatives but the core idea is how not to fall into authoritarian intelligence on one side, and surveillance capitalism on the other. This is where Taiwan can help, it is my ambition, and, I think, is also an ambition for the EU.

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Malabar 2020: Accelerating the pace of Quad cooperation?

Written by Pratnashree Basu

Understood from this perspective, the participation of Australia in this year’s Malabar exercise along with the three other participants elevates the geostrategic significance of the exercise and marks an additional sphere of engagement in the already many-tiered network of alliances that the Indo-Pacific has given rise to.

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In Brief: Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy

Europe must make it clearer that it is every European country’s sovereign right to conduct relations with Taiwan, or any country for that matter just as it is China’s right to do so for itself. Europe must also reject Beijing’s weaponisation of its economic means. Demand for economic reciprocity has been a priority for the EU. Political reciprocity and mutual respect should be just as important

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The Unraveling States of America

Written by Manali Kumar

The United States is heading towards difficult times and needs to get its house in order before it can play any kind of substantive global leadership role. Trump’s first presidency has not just injured America’s moral standing but has also undermined the country’s credibility among its friends and allies.

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From bargaining chip to regional partner: Taiwan-US relations post 2020 election

Written by Kuan-Ting Chen

Whoever occupies the White House after November has now clearly experienced first-hand that Taiwan can indeed help. With enough work already carried out here in Taipei, Washington has an unparalleled opportunity to elevate the status of this small but mighty nation to a regional leader — in line with its own goals for engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.

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Call for Papers: Minorities

In November we invite articles that seek to provide commentary and analysis on the issue of minorities within the context of the Indo-Pacific. Writers may wish to address areas such as human security, discrimination, migration, difference, power, etc.

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News9DL
Hostage diplomacy: Canada's China rethink

Written by Grant Wyeth

Aggrieved at Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wangzhou (under its extradition treaty with the United States), China has taken Kovrig and Spavor hostage in the hope of bullying Canada into her release. For nine months, Beijing has prevented any consular visits to the two men, despite a bilateral agreement that stipulates monthly visits.

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Does COVID-19 and potential US presidential transition place Taiwan in jeopardy

Written by Joe Varner

A bipartisan statement of support for Taiwan by President Trump and Democratic candidate for President Joe Biden cautioning Beijing about aggression and adventure would be a credible sign of national resolve and that President Xi Jinping’s window for action is closed no matter who is in power at the White House.

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