My post on CNN’s GPS blog, reflecting on my recent trip to Viet Nam, including a visit to Ly Son Island off of the central coast. I suggest that Viet Nam might gain more by ignoring, or at least quietly contesting, China’s provocations in the South China Sea area.
Avoiding an adverse outcome in the South China Sea area will depend on claimant states’ willingness to place a high priority on strategic cooperation – including on energy exploration, fishing rights, and the maintenance of open sea-lanes. My piece on Project Syndicate.
A paper I co-authored for the Asian Journal of Public Affairs that examines the role of nationalism with respect to three countries – China, the Philippines, and Viet Nam – in the South China Sea dispute. We argue that with a rising middle class and increasing pressure to attain energy resources, so too will there be increasing likelihood of conflict. The situation is relatively stable at present, but unless a means for resolving the tensions is devised, then we might increasingly expect to see more aggressive actions amongst all claimants.
My article on CNN’s Global Public Square, on Manila’s recent announcement that it will seek UNCLOS arbitration with respect to its claims in the South China Sea area: ”In the Philippines, and other countries in the region, the price for maintaining “national honor” with force is prohibitively expensive. Blustering, however, ultimately serves domestic political interests as creating a unified, national stance is quite valuable for political parties wishing to secure their futures in a tenuous political environment.”
Cyclone Nargis, which quickly overwhelmed Myanmar on May 2nd, 2008, provided the necessary spark for a politically troubled government’s reforms to take place. Could Sandy catalyze action on climate? More on TheDiplomat.com.
“As Asia becomes increasingly interconnected, migrants have the potential to contribute to all sectors of society. But government-imposed restrictions on cross-border mobility are generating negative outcomes.” Read more on Project Syndicate.
There is no denying the fast-food industry’s contribution to America’s obesity epidemic. Now, Asians and Asian-Americans could follow on this path, as major fast-food chains like McDonald’s target them disproportionately. Read more on Project Syndicate here.
