April 27,2021 Country Reports

Country Report: South Korea (May 2021)

In the wake of the inauguration of the Biden administration, a flurry of diplomatic activities in the Indo-Pacific ensued in March and April, which brought into sharp focus South Korea’s growing dilemma as a middle power wedged between its closest security ally, the US, and largest trading partner, China. With liberal internationalist Joe Biden and […]

Munkyoung Shin , Munkyoung Shin
anti-leaflet law , quad , special measures agreement , us-china rivalry , us-rok alliance
April 20,2021 Country Reports

Country Report: Japan (April 2021)

In the first quarter of 2021, Japanese coverages turned from assessing 2020 to anticipating Biden’s impact to taking satisfaction in Biden’s initial moves toward Japan and China. With diplomatic travel on hold, for the most part, its resumption in March and early April showcased Japan-US relations. A virtual Quad summit, followed by the 2+2 US-Japan […]

Editorial Staff
economic national security , quad , strategic triangle , us-china rivalry , us-japan alliance , yachi shotaro
April 01,2021 Country Reports

Country Report: Russia (March 2021)

Two themes gained prominence in Russian coverage of the Indo-Pacific region in the first part of 2021: the Russo-China-US triangle and the geopolitics of the Korean Peninsula. There was little on the hallmarks of multipolarity, especially India. The mood was upbeat for three main reasons: 1) Sino-Russian relations are strong and growing stronger; 2) the […]

Editorial Staff (with the assistance of Olga Puzanova)
alliances , strategic triangle , us-china rivalry , us-north korea nuclear talks
March 15,2021 Country Reports

Country Report: South Korea (March 2021)

Relations with the United States took center stage as South Koreans eyed the formation of the Biden administration, while phone conversations with President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the arrival of a new South Korean ambassador in Tokyo widened the scope of foreign policy concern. The focus of ROK-US relations shifted from […]

Sanghwa Hong
covid-19 , gsomia , quad , special measures agreement , thaad , wartime operational control
March 02,2021 Country Reports

Country Report: China (February 2021)

In the winter of 2020–2021, Chinese analysts contemplated a world in flux, with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to devastate the United States and the arrival of new leadership in both Japan (in September 2020) and the United States (in January 2021). They assessed how Sino–US competition will impact the future world order and explored how […]

Danielle F. S. Cohen (assisted by Dong Jiaxin)
"belt and road" initiative , cold war , covid-19 , joe biden , quad , us-china rivalry
February 02,2021 Country Reports

Country Report: Russia (January 2021)

Russian analysis at the end of 2020 and start of 2021 made clear Russia’s reality of becoming a junior partner to China, which was starting to eclipse the obsession with not being respected by the United States. On the one hand, two assumptions were widely acknowledged: that with Joe Biden in charge, Russo-US relations would […]

Editorial Staff (with the assistance of Olga Puzanova)
covid-19 , free and open indo-pacific , greater eurasia , joe biden , kurile islands , quad , rcep
December 28,2020 Country Reports

Country Report: China (December 2020)

In the fall of 2020, Chinese analysts assessed US and Japanese policies in light of recent anti-globalization trends and made predictions about the United States’ near-term relations with its allies. They also examined the Japan–Russia bilateral relationship by considering the legacy of the Abe administration and the likely future under Suga. They continued to evaluate […]

Danielle F. S. Cohen (assisted by Dong Jiaxin)
asean , covid-19 , cptpp , rcep , trilateralism , us-china rivalry
December 10,2020 Country Reports

Country Report: Japan (November 2020)

The late fall of 2020 was eventful for Japanese foreign relations because it meant the start of a new relationship with a US president—this time with a new Japanese prime minister; renewal of diplomacy with China—more intent than before on driving a wedge between Japan and the US; the signing of a broad trade agreement—RCEP […]

Editorial Staff
asean , free and open indo-pacific , hong kong , rcep , senkakus , south china sea , tokyo olympics , tpp , us-china rivalry