What if China is not rising, making it more dangerous?
In their new book, Hal Brands and Michael Beckley make suspect analogies to Germany and Japan to argue why Beijing may seek conflict.
In their new book, Hal Brands and Michael Beckley make suspect analogies to Germany and Japan to argue why Beijing may seek conflict.
While the country’s longest serving prime minister had a hawkish bent, he saw the benefit of improving relations with China.
The influential prime minister, assassinated while campaigning Friday, wanted to take his country into a new, post-war direction.
From reaching out to NATO (a fool’s errand) to pledging to bolster defense in the region (a better tack), Tokyo is flexing long unused muscles.
Though the grouping is unlikely to become a formal alliance it’s essentially a security bloc by stealth.
Tokyo has taken a firm stance on Russia, drawing its ire. But this former Japanese official thinks it can play a role in brokering peace.
The leader of the country’s largest opposition party shared his views on Russia, Ukraine, and the threat of nuclear war.
As a result, America is punting on critical climate cooperation with Beijing.
Tokyo has a strong interest in preventing military conflict over Ukraine and a role to play in the diplomatic maneuvering.
A joint statement guiding the two countries’ diplomacy jacks up the China threat and plays lip service to real areas of mutual concern.
Despite their ‘peace constitution,’ the Japanese have a growing military footprint.
There is more risk than reward in the new U.S.-backed security architecture evolving in the region
At some point we have to demand more of our friends expecting military aid and support. That’s not mean, it’s just common sense.
Rahm Emanuel and Nicholas Burns had an opportunity to rein in Congress’s thirst for conflict with Beijing, but they took the bait instead.
UPDATE: Fumio Kishida, officially elected prime minister today in a parliamentary vote, may seek more independence from Washington.
But unlike AUKUS, the US-Japan-Australia-India compact has a narrow path to emerge as a constructive actor in Asia.
Taiwan has increasingly become a test, though Japan’s interest in strengthening its security goes beyond Taipei.
But it shouldn’t be. Not all alliances should be treated the same, but China threat inflation drives the conversation that way anyway.
Beltway policymakers are routinely threatening war with Beijing without seriously considering the possibility of losing.
He wasn’t just a veep and failed presidential candidate. His work with Japan offers truly poignant lessons for future diplomats.
Compartmentalizing these issues will avoid an unnecessary conflict and provide space to highlight abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.