ASIA
Spring 2013
"First Things First: The Pressing Danger of Crisis Instability in U.S.-China Relations"
Journal Article, International Security, issue 4, volume 37
An analysis that examines the current state of U.S.-China relations and compares it with key aspects of U.S.-Soviet relations during the Cold War indicates that a serious Sino-American crisis may be more likely and more dangerous than expected.
Spring 2013
"How New and Assertive Is China's New Assertiveness?"
Journal Article, International Security, issue 4, volume 37
There has been a rapidly spreading meme in U.S. pundit and academic circles since 2010 that describes China's recent diplomacy as “newly assertive." This meme underestimates the complexity of key episodes in Chinese diplomacy in 2010 and overestimates the amount of change. The speed and extent with which it has spread point to an understudied issue in international relations—namely, the role that online media and the blogosphere play in the creation of conventional wisdoms that might, in turn, constrain policy debates.
April-May 2013
"China, North Korea and the Spread of Nuclear Weapons"
Journal Article, Survival
By Ben Rhode, Senior Research Associate, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Thomas Plant
Once described as ‘as close as lips and teeth’, in recent years the relationship between China and North Korea has become more strained. Beijing has conflicted motivations in its policy towards Pyongyang. The threat to Beijing’s interests if North Korean nuclear weapons or materials find their way into the hands of others outweighs the danger of a regime collapse in Pyongyang.
April 4, 2013
"Amateur Hour"
Op-Ed, Chicago Tribune
By Stephen M. Walt, Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Affairs; Faculty Chair, International Security Program
"Countries like South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia and others are looking for clear signs of U.S. leadership, which means we need the most qualified and skilled people we can find in key diplomatic positions. We don't want ambassadors who are just reciting talking points prepared by others; we need ambassadors throughout Asia who have extensive knowledge of the region's history and the complicated economic and security landscape there. And, yes, it would be nice if they could read and speak the language."
April 4, 2013
"Is it Time to Worry?"
Op-Ed, Boston Globe
By Juliette Kayyem, Lecturer in Public Policy
"But today's scare is not just a matter of concern for China. The nation's insular government, dense population, and environmental ills have already combined to create several global pandemics. The 2003 SARS outbreak began in China, and, by its end, killed about 800 people and caused close to $50 billion in economic losses. China had originally prevented disclosure of the SARS outbreak, telling nervous global public health officials to take a hike."
April 3, 2013
"Five thoughts about North Korea"
Op-Ed, GlobalPost
By Nicholas Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School
Professor Burns shares his thoughts on how we might understand the politics and future trajectory of the latest crisis involving North Korea.
Spring 2013
Belfer Center Newsletter Spring 2013
Newsletter
By Sharon Wilke, Associate Director of Communications
The Spring 2013 issue of the Belfer Center newsletter features recent and upcoming activities, research, and analysis by members of the Center community on critical global issues. This edition highlights the Belfer Center’s deepening engagement with China.
Spring 2013
"Belfer Center Intensifies Focus on China"
Newsletter Article, Belfer Center Newsletter
The Belfer Center’s faculty and fellows are mounting a multi-pronged academic campaign on China, hoping to influence U.S. policy on how to deal with the rising Asian power. A dizzying array of initiatives is under way.
Spring 2013
"From the Director"
Newsletter Article, Belfer Center Newsletter
By Graham Allison, Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; Douglas Dillon Professor of Government, Harvard Kennedy School
"The strategic partnership between Harvard and China is unique among universities of the world," writes Belfer Center Director Graham Allison, "this relationship is reflected in decades of scholarship in Cambridge, tens of thousands of Chinese graduates of Harvard graduate and executive programs, and the policies of both governments that have brought us to this point."
Spring 2013
"Belfer and Ash Centers Expand U.S.-China Bridge-Building"
Newsletter Article, Belfer Center Newsletter
Sponsored by the Institute for China-U.S. People-to-People Exchange and by Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer and Ash Centers, the “Challenge and Cooperation” conference at Peking University in January dissected the implications of China’s new leadership and President Obama’s second term. Participants examined the roles the two countries should play in international security and in trade and investment issues.
