Navigating the tides: Reassessing the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy

Written by Dr Gorana Grgic

Drawing upon member states’ existing strategies in the region, the EU's strategy tactfully treads a fine line — seeking greater assertiveness while preserving space for cooperation, even in its dealings with China.

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Kashmir’s youthful aspirants: Politics amidst control and change

Written by Dr Mohd Tahir

The post-Article 370 political landscape shifted political discourse within Kashmir from one of self-rule to development. While this shift is a matter of political expediency for local leaders in the context of the restrictive political environment, it has also opened a window of opportunity for many emerging young Kashmiri leaders.

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In Forum: 2024 — China’s policy towards the West

China and Australia appear to have patched things up, and more conciliatory tones are even heard about relations with the United States following Xi’s visit in November. In this In Forum, 9DASHLINE asks a number of experts to weigh in on whether we can expect improving ties to continue through 2024.

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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.

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Best of 2023: Responding to China

In 2023, policymakers worldwide invested an unprecedented amount of time and resources in developing strategies for their relations with China. This heightened focus was prompted by the significant influence of Beijing's domestic, foreign, and security policies on the economies and politics of other countries.

We present some of our most-read analyses on different countries’ evolving strategies towards China featured in the past year.

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Best of 2023: South Korea

South Korea's (ROK) role in global politics has evolved significantly in recent years, with the country emerging as a pivotal player in the Indo-Pacific region. Under President Yoon Suk-yeol, it has strengthened its security alliance with the US and pursued a more assertive stance towards North Korea.

We review some of our most-read analyses about South Korea from the last year. 

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Best of 2023: China as a global actor

It was a busy year: the tenth anniversary of Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative, the ongoing war in Ukraine and questions about China’s role therein, as well as the increasingly urgent Taiwan issue, are just a few examples of topics that have made it to the top of analysts’ and policymakers’ agendas in 2023. 

We summarise some of our most-read pieces about China as a global actor, which also generated a lot of discussion and debate among our readers.

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Best of 2023: Indonesia

As the 2022 G20 Chair and last year’s chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Jakarta has been at the forefront of several important discussions around current world affairs. On 14 February 2024, the country will hold its general elections.

We present some of our most insightful pieces looking at various aspects of Indonesia’s internal dynamics and its engagement with the external world.

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Best of 2023: China – Delving into the domestic landscape

2023 was a year marked by both progress and challenges for China. Its economy exhibited a strong recovery thanks to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, and urbanisation has continued as millions move from rural to urban areas in search of better opportunities. 

We review some of our most insightful analyses of key issues across China’s domestic political and policy landscape.

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Resurging monarchist sentiment in Nepal: Challenges to democratic redemption

Written by Manish Jung Pulami

The pro-monarchy protests are a reminder that Nepal’s democratic journey is far from over. While the monarchy may be a relic of the past, the underlying grievances that fuelled the latest protests remain relevant today.

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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.

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BRICS Plus: India’s perspective on the group’s expansion

Written by Rishma Banerjee

Given the broader context of India’s rivalry with China, and its tightrope act of balancing ties between Russia and the West, New Delhi’s support for the six new BRICS members reflects its broader strategic and geopolitical interests.

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Democratic resilience – Why Taiwan and Europe must be more ambitious in 2024

Written by Dr Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy

Taiwan is a frontline democracy, which makes it an indispensable partner for Europe, one it should learn from as it braces for its own elections, with interference and information manipulation expected to increase, in particular from China and Russia.

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The Fukushima water release and South Korea: it's complicated

Written by Yeonsu Lee

Although the South Korean government has accepted Japan’s plan to release the Fukushima water, politicians, scientists, and citizens continue to raise concerns and criticisms.

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Australia-China relations: Where to now?

Written by Elena Collinson

After seven years marked by bullying and heavy-handed tactics by Beijing, episodes of diplomatic inelegance by Canberra, and the asperity of mutual criticism, Australia-China relations have tentatively shifted to a more normalised state.

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EU-China Summit: A relationship stuck in time

Written by Dr Francesca Ghiretti

Holding the first in-person summit since 2019 is an important achievement, and the EU has been able to express some important concerns to Xi Jinping directly; however, the words — especially from China — demonstrate Beijing still views the EU mostly as an economic partner.

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NZ: Maori foreign policy to manage increasingly challenging relationship with China

Written by Bonnie Holster and Nicholas Ross Smith

Beyond the changing language of New Zealand’s strategic communications, its experimentation with a kaupapa Maori foreign policy has the potential to be transformative.

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