ASIA
April 5, 2013
Russia in Review
Media Feature
Russia in Review: a digest of useful news from U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism for March 29 - April 5, 2013.
April 3, 2013
Australia's Kevin Rudd on China's Leadership and Reform
News
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd spoke at a Belfer Center Director's Lunch on "China's New Leadership and the Prospects for Economic and Political Reform."
Graham Allison, director of Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, introduced Rudd at the event. A video podcast of Rudd's opening presentation is available below.
AP Photo/Feng Li, Pool
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."
AP Photo/KCNA via KNS
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.
(Laura Ma Photo)
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.
