2022: Hong Kong — more than just territory
2022: Hong Kong — more than just territory

As China tightens its grip over political and civic institutions, Hong Kong seems to have been left to fend for itself by the international community. 9DASHLINE invites a select group of experts to identify some wider concerns and avenues of support for the city-state fighting to maintain its democracy.

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Editor's Picks9DLHong Kong, China, 2022, 9DASHLINE, Ryan Ho Kilpatrick, National Security Law, Sari Arho Havrén, MERICS, University of Helsinki, Chinese Communist Party, Beijing, Brussels, Leïla Choukroune, University of Portsmouth, Article 137, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, HKSAR, University Grants Committee, Occupy Hong Kong, Umbrella Movement, Pillar of Shame, Germany, UK, France
US credibility at home and abroad
US credibility at home and abroad

Written by David Hutt

There is a deep sense of unease about America's actual place in world affairs. It is therefore worth considering whether American power, at home and abroad, appears weak or is weak.

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Pacific9DLDavid Hutt, 9dashline, biden, United States, Jimmy Carter, America, US Democracy, Afghanistan, Taiwan, Foreign Policy, Washington, china, US credibility at home and abroad, Green New Deal, South Korea, Japan, Chicago, Germany, Biden, Trump, Kabul, Middle East, South Asia, AUKUS, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Italy, Britain, Ukraine, Russia, North Korea, Xi Jinping, Summit for Democracy, Korean War, Lonnie Henley, George Washington University, Central European Institute of Asian Studies
Ukraine — A wakeup call for the United States
Ukraine — A wakeup call for the United States

Written by Nicholas Ross Smith

Washington needs to replace its grand strategy with more nuanced strategies that better reflect the evolving power dynamics of the international and regional systems. Without realistic adjustments, the United States and its allies face a difficult future of regional great power competitions in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

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Faultlines9DL9dashline, Nicholas Ross Smith, Ukraine, Taiwan, china, US, Indo-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Russia, United States, Xi Jinping, East Asia, NATO, Ukraine — A wakeup call for the United States, Washington, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cold War
2022: The Quad, AUKUS and the future Indo-Pacific
2022: The Quad, AUKUS and the future Indo-Pacific

The reinvigoration of the Quad and the announcement of the AUKUS last year have been a subject of much consternation and debate. While they signal renewed diplomatic energy on Washington’s part, questions remain whether these initiatives will translate to meaningful policy and if they will promote or hinder a coherent Indo-Pacific strategy.

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Pacific9DL2022: The Quad, AUKUS and the future Indo-Pacific, AUKUS, Indo-Pacific, Martin Thorley, Dr Rebecca Strating, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Murray Hiebert, Quad, 9DASHLINE, Japan, UK, United Kingdom, US, United States, China, Australia, South Korea, New Delhi, Russia, Moscow, Quad Plus, COVID-19, COVID, COVID19, Vietnam, Israel, Brazil, EU, European Union, ASEAN, Southeast Asia, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, RCEP, La Trobe Asia, French Naval Group, Royal Navy, France, Asia, Shinzo Abe, Chinese Communist Party, CCP
In Brief: Tereza Novotna — South Korea Associate at 9DASHLINE
In Brief: Tereza Novotna — South Korea Associate at 9DASHLINE

This week we are delighted to announce the arrival of Tereza Novotna as our new South Korea Associate. In joining our expanding network of associates her arrival marks the next stage of our development in seeking to connect Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

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In Brief9DLIn Brief: Tereza Novotna — South Korea Associate at 9DASHLINE, Tereza Novotna, Korea, North Korea, South Korea, DPRK, Czechia, EU, Europe, European Union, Brussels, 9DASHLINE, COVID, COVID19, COVID-19, Seoul, Berlin, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Korean Peninsula, Pyongyang, Seoul National University, Trump, Donald Trump, Central Europe, Indo-Pacific, Asia-Pacific, New Zealand, COVAX, Korean War, Beijing, Japan, US, United States, Olympics, Winter Games, ASEAN, Southeast Asia, Free University of Berlin, EUROPEUM
Could minilateralism work in the South China Sea?
Could minilateralism work in the South China Sea?

Written by Huynh Tam Sang

The time is ripe for Indonesia and its counterparts to work closely and effectively. Leaders in Jakarta should forge a shared perception of unity among participants by highlighting the importance of working hand-in-hand as no country can navigate the South China Sea challenges alone.

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Pacific9DLIndo-Pacific, South China Sea, Nine Dash Line, China, Malaysia, ASEAN, Brunei, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Beijing, Jakarta, Natuna Islands, EEZ, Exclusive Economic Zone, Permanent Court of Arbitration, Borneo, Kuala Lumpur, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, Bakamla, Indonesia
Solomon Islands stress: what happened, why and what does it all mean?
Solomon Islands stress: what happened, why and what does it all mean?

Written by Tess Newton Cain

The other development, which has received very little attention, was the reported departure of 140 “traumatised” Chinese nationals from the Solomon Islands by chartered flight to Guangzhou.

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Pacific9DL9DASHLINE, Tess Cain, Taiwan, China, Solomon Islands, PRC, Australia, New Zealand, Honiara, Manasseh Sogavare, Scott Morrison, Helpem Fren, RAMSI, Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, RSIPF, People’s Republic of China, Guangzhou, Facebook, Townsville Peace Agreement, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Malaita, Pacific, COVID, COVID19, COVID-19, Griffith Asia Institute
After a year of fighting Myanmar's junta is showing frustration
After a year of fighting Myanmar's junta is showing frustration

Written by Angshuman Choudhury

Long wars become even more difficult for the primary aggressors when they lack local support or popular legitimacy, which is certainly the case with the military in Myanmar today.

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Editor's Picks9DL9DASHLINE, Junta, Myanmar, ANGSHUMAN CHOUDHURY, NLD, National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, Min Aung Hlaing, Ethnic Armed Organisations, EAO, People’s Defence Forces, PDF, Bamar, National Unity Government, NUG, Operation Anawrahta, Myanmar Peace Monitor, MPM, Kachin Independence Organisation, Karenni National Progressive Party, Karenni Army, Chin National Front, Karen National Union, Magway Region, Sagaing Region, Yangon Region, Yangon, Naypyidaw, Mandalay, coup, coup d'etat, Myanmar Coup, Mindat, Chin Defence Forces, Yaw Defence Force, Miemie Winn Byrd, Asia Pacific Centre, Hawaii, Hun Sen, Cambodia, Civil Disobedience Movement, Pyu Saw Htee, Than Kyaw Oo, People’s Administration Committee, Soviets, Afghanistan, Vietnam
The Tatmadaw’s flawed theory of victory
The Tatmadaw’s flawed theory of victory

Written by Zachary Abuza

Entering the second year, one thing is certain: the military is getting both frustrated and desperate. Generals are being rotated and replaced with loyalists. The army will increase attacks on civilians, and that will further weaken morale for all but the most hardcore and indoctrinated.

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Faultlines9DLTatmadaw, 9DASHLINE, Zachary Abuza, Myanmar, coup d'etat, Myanmar Coup, Min Aung Hlaing, torture, Ethnic Armed Organisations, Kachin Independence Army, Karen National Liberation Army, United Wa State Army, Burma, Arakan Army, National Unity Government, NUG, People’s Defense Forces, PDF, Aung San Suu Kyi, Yangon, Naypyidaw, IED, Four Cuts, NLD, National League for Democracy, Win Myint, COVID, COVID19, COVID-19, Total Energy, Chevron, China, ASEAN, Oil and Gas, Human Shields, NGO, ICRC, Junta, European Union, EU, Europe, Russia, United States, US, Japan, South Korea, Hun Sen, Cambodia, Belarus, Serbia, North Korea, Thailand
Disinformation and democratic backsliding: India’s Facebook problem
Disinformation and democratic backsliding: India’s Facebook problem

Written by Raju Rajagopal, Nikhil Mandalaparthy

Despite a handful of statements from Facebook and its much publicised Oversight Board, it seems unlikely that Facebook will make any significant changes with regard to India, out of fear of upsetting the Modi government.

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South Asia9DLNikhil Mandalaparthy, Raju Rajagopal, 9dashline, Facebook, India, BJP, Disinformation, Hindu, Bharatiya Janata Party, Muslims, Khanum Sherwani, Meta, Frances Haugen, IT Cell, conspiracy theories, WhatsApp, Twitter, Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Hate Speech, The Wall Street Journal, Shivnath Thukral, Sophie Zhang, Tripura, Digital colonialism, Christians, Dalits, colonialism, Human Rights, Hindus for Human Rights
2022: Taiwan and its continued push for recognition
2022: Taiwan and its continued push for recognition

9DASHLINE invites a select group of experts to explore how Taiwan may circumvent its diplomatic isolation and be included as a reliable partner in international efforts seeking a transition towards a greener, healthier and more resilient world.

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East Asia9DL9DASHLINE, Taiwan, China, Europe, EU, European Union, Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Lev Nachman, Slovenia, Lithuania, Japan, COVID, COVID19, COVID-19, Taiwan Strait, Kuan-Ting Chen, Taiwan NextGen Foundation, TaiwanCanHelp, Estonia, Eswatini, Guatemala, Guam, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tsai Ing-wen, New Southbound Policy, Taipei, European Chips Act, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Dr Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, Taiwan Model, People’s Republic of China, J. Michael Cole, Global Taiwan Institute, Taiwan Studies Programme, University of Nottingham, Beijing, Czech Republic
Human Rights, China and the Winter Olympics — can democratic unity prevail?
Human Rights, China and the Winter Olympics — can democratic unity prevail?

Written by Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy

After Taiwan opened a representative office in Lithuania under its own name, Beijing didn’t only retaliate bilaterally, but it went after Lithuania’s trading partners in Europe, undermining the integrity of the European single market.

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Faultlines9DL9DASHLINE, Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, China, Olympics, Beijing Olympics, Beijing 2022, Olympics 2022, Human Rights, EU, European Union, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Britain, Dominic Raab, Netherlands, COVID, COVID19, Xinjiang, democracy, Paralympic Games, White House, New Zealand, Grant Robertson, Australia, Canada, US, United States, South Korea, Washington, Japan, Jen Psaki, Korean Peninsula, Lithuania, Taiwan, Indo-Pacific, Denmark, boycott, Belgium, Olaf Scholz, Annalena Baerbock, Franziska Brantner, Uyghur, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Tibet, Brussels
Maritime monitoring — AIS implications of China’s new data policy
Maritime monitoring — AIS implications of China’s new data policy

Written by Jamie Withorne

If Beijing categorises AIS as a data type subject to DSL, it should issue a clarification on how it plans to collaborate with the IMO and other international organisations on issues of AIS data.

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Pacific9DLChina, Jamie Withorne, 9DASHLINE, AIS, Automatic Identification System, Data Security Law, East Asia, International Maritime Organisation, Norway, MarineTraffic, IHS Sea-web, Windward, North Korea, DPRK, Royal United Services Institute, RUSI, Center for Advanced Defense Studies, South China Sea, Beijing
The Russian military build-up on Japan’s northern frontier
The Russian military build-up on Japan’s northern frontier

Written by James DJ Brown

Tokyo has little option but to stand firm, enhance cooperation with democratic partners, especially the United States, and demonstrate that Japan, while not acting aggressively, is closely monitoring Russian activities in its vicinity and is fully capable of defending its waters and airspace.

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Pacific9DL9DASHLINE, James DJ Brown, Russia, China, Japan, Kuril Islands, Shinzo Abe, Tokyo, Senkaku Islands, Soviet, World War 2, Northern Territories, Medvedev, Matua Island, T80BV, United States, SU-35, S300V4, Kunashir, Hokkaidō, Habomai, Signal’nyi, Zircon, Zircon hypersonic cruise missile, North Korea, DRPK, COld War, Far East, Japan’s Self-Defence Force, JSDF, Sea of Okhotsk, Northern Sea Route, Moscow, Arctic
Going under? Belt and Road megaprojects and sovereign debt in Laos
Going under? Belt and Road megaprojects and sovereign debt in Laos

Written by Keith Barney and Kanya Souksakoun

Rural people displaced by dams are now joined by the urbanites struggling with inflation in household staples during a sharp economic downturn.

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Editor's Picks9DLChina, Laos, 9DASHLINE, KEITH BARNEY, KANYA SOUKSAKOUN, Belt and Road Initiative, Moody's, Fitch, Bank of Laos, Lao-China Railway, Electricité du Laos, EdL, Power Purchase Agreements, special economic zones, hydroelectric, PowerChina, China Development Bank, Vietnam, Thailand, China Southern Power Grid Company, COVID, People’s Bank of China, Battery of Asia, credit crunch, World Bank Debt Service Suspension Initiative, DSSI, Mekong
In Conversation: Nicola Nymalm on From ‘Japan Problem’ to ‘China Threat’?
In Conversation: Nicola Nymalm on From ‘Japan Problem’ to ‘China Threat’?

In a nutshell, some commentaries suggested that while Biden would change the tone, he might not change the substance that much. I think this is largely what we have seen so far.

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In Conversation9DLNicola Nymalm, China, Japan, US, United States, Japan Problem’ to ‘China Threat’?, Trump, Biden, International Relations, PTT, Quad, OECD, WWII, World War 2, Tokyo, Beijing, Deng Xiaoping, Soviet Union, Nixon, communist, COVID, Asian, Euro, Western, South China Sea, Swedish Defence University