Category: In the News

Dr. David Shambaugh was recently named the inaugural North Asia CAPE fellow by the North Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence, a New Zealand based organization. During his recent visit to New Zealand, Dr. Shambaugh had the opportunity to discuss the complexities of contemporary China with North Asia CAPE.

Dr. Shambaugh addressed diverse topics including Chinese president Xi Jinping’s leadership, China’s socio-economic development, and China’s contribution to global governance.

To learn more about his observations, watch his interviews below!

Read about Dr. Shambaugh on North Asia CAPE’s official website.

Dr. Bruce Dickson was quoted in the Financial Times article “The Chinese Communist party entangles big tech,’’ by Louise Lucas. Dr. Dickson talked about the Chinese Communist party and its relations with the private sector.

Dr. Benjamin D. Hopkins, Director of the Sigur Center for Asian Studies, participated in the Association for Borderlands Studies’ 2nd World Conference 2018, the world’s largest convention on borders and border-related issues. The organizing theme was Border-Making and its Consequences: Interpreting Evidence from the “post-Colonial” and “post-Imperial” 20th Century. Dr. Hopkins served as a chair and discussant in multiple panels on topics such as “Statelessness and the Consolidation of National Territoriality” and “Rebordering the current world – Case studies from around the world.”

Dr. Celeste Arrington, the Korea Foundation Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, commented on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s recent trip to North Korea on an interview for Hearst TV. Dr. Arrington stressed that during the US – North Korea talks, both sides would have to come to an understanding on what denuclearization of the Korean peninsula means.

Dr. Robert Sutter was quoted in an article published in USA Today. The article titled ” High-stakes brinksmanship in the Pacific as China expands reach into the South China Sea” talked about China’s increasing presence in the South China Sea and its implications. Dr. Sutter’s comments in the article pertained to President Trump’s National Security Strategy and the US – China competition in the South China Sea.

Dr. Christina Fink recently published her article on “Myanmar: Religious Minorities and Constitutional Questions” for Asian Affairs, vol. 49, issue 2, June 2018.

Abstract

This article examines the experience of religious minorities in Myanmar between 2011 and 2017 in the context of the 2008 constitution and a new system of governance. It highlights the precarity of religious minorities and argues that neither the constitution nor the state were reliable sources of protection or redress during this period. The first section considers the multiple identities of religious minorities with regard to citizenship and national belonging. The second section elucidates how an enabling environment for Buddhist nationalism emerged and what types of actions state and non-state actors have taken with regard to religious minorities. The final section addresses the 2008 constitution and rule of law in Myanmar in order to understand the challenges for religious minorities in securing justice and protection.

Black Swan Trips Alarm, Fouls Moderate Outlook on China’s Rise

By Robert Sutter

This excerpt is from Dr. Sutter’s article, which was originally published in PacNet #41, part of CSIS’ Pacific Forum, on June 20, 2018

I have long had a moderate outlook on China’s rise, a view that did not fundamentally change despite widely publicized challenges China poses to US leadership. The constraints on and limitations of China’s actual power and influence remain substantial. China is not dominant in Asia and is not in a position to undertake global leadership, replacing the United States. The US retains the capacity to counter or otherwise deal with China’s challenges.

Unfortunately, my thinking did not take sufficient account of China’s headlong advance to control the advanced technological industries seen as essential to US power.

On Saturday, June 30, Dr. Janet Steele will hold a book talk in Kuala Lumpur’s famous counter-culture bookstore, Gerakbudaya Bookshop. The talk will be on her new book Mediating Islam: Cosmopolitan Journalisms in Muslim Southeast Asia and how Islam influences journalism in Malaysia and Indonesia.

On Monday, June 25, Dr. Janet Steele will participate in a panel discussion on how Islam is shaping media coverage in Southeast Asia. The panel discussion is a part of the International Media Conference hosted by the East-West Center in Singapore.

On Tuesday, June 26th, Dr. Steele will hold a research presentation at the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies on her latest book –  Mediating Islam: Cosmopolitan Journalisms in Muslim Southeast Asia.