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East Asia

China
commentary
China's Aggression Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Little to Do with COVID-19
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 20, 2020
World Politics Review
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to monopolize the attention of leaders around the world, some international observers of China have concluded that Beijing is attempting to exploit the crisis for geopolitical gain. The reality is that China has been engaging in the same types of pressure tactics for years and will likely continue once the pandemic passes.
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North Korea
commentary
North Korea Post–Kim Jong Un Reappearance: Expect Business as Usual in the Hermit Kingdom
Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
May 19, 2020
The National Interest
Kim Jong Un's return, while it leaves much to be desired in the way of explanation, should send one message to the international audience: North Korea's fate rests still in the hands of Kim Jong Un. And judging by appearances in recent days, Kim does not appear to intend to change the course of his strategy to reduce tensions with the United States.
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North Korea
commentary
North Korean Provocations, Not Denuclearization
Bruce W. Bennett @bwbennett
May 8, 2020
The National Interest
Kim Jong-un's reappearance raises questions about the course of U.S.–North Korea relationships in the coming year. What should we expect? What can we learn from the past?
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Reopening America, China's 'Mask Diplomacy,' State Police Powers: RAND Weekly Recap
May 8, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on a RAND tool that estimates the public health and economic effects of reopening America, China's “mask diplomacy,” using police powers for pandemic response, and more.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Jumpstarting the U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Amid COVID-19
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
May 6, 2020
The Diplomat
Since roughly 2012, South Korea–Japan ties have frayed. Could the United States encourage trilateral medical cooperation during the pandemic, ensure that the Tokyo Olympic Games are held, and in so doing help heal the relationship between Seoul and Tokyo?
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China
commentary
Don't Be Fooled by China's Mask Diplomacy
Jeffrey W. Hornung
May 5, 2020
Los Angeles Times
China has provided coronavirus-related aid to hundreds of countries. This appears to be an effort to make the world forget its role in the COVID-19 crisis, and to take advantage of its neighbors' current distraction.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Reviewing Vietnam's 'Struggle' Options in the South China Sea
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
May 4, 2020
The Diplomat
Once again, Chinese assertiveness against Vietnam in the South China Sea is on the rise. Vietnam has publicly protested each Chinese move, but these statements have yet to alter Beijing's bad behavior. Among its many options, Hanoi could look to Washington for further assistance.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
A Proposed COVID-19 Cure, Economic Decline, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap
May 1, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on the unintended consequences of a proposed COVID-19 treatment, another wave of economic destruction, North Korea after Kim Jong Un, and more.
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North Korea
commentary
North Korea After Kim Jong Un: 'How' Matters More Than 'Who'
Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
Apr 28, 2020
Nikkei Asian Review
With rumors swirling that Kim Jong Un has suffered a health crisis, some are already asking who might succeed him as leader of North Korea. But who is not the most important question. What will matter more is what the new regime does to establish its legitimacy and how the United States and its allies respond.
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North Korea
commentary
Why We Really Don't Know What Happens If Kim Jong Un Dies
Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
Apr 27, 2020
The National Interest
The potential changes in the North Korean regime pose more questions than they answer. How prepared are observers and keen watchers from the “outside world” for a North Korean contingency? Should there be a power vacuum in Pyongyang, will U.S. policy toward the DPRK remain largely as-is?
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
blog
Medical Supply Shortfalls, Parenting Through the Pandemic, North Korea: RAND Weekly Recap
Apr 17, 2020
This weekly recap focuses on reducing medical supply shortfalls, understanding who's in charge during a pandemic, North Korea's nuclear blackmail, and more.
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North Korea
commentary
The Coronavirus and North Korea: Is There a Cure for Kim's Nuclear Blackmail?
Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
Apr 13, 2020
The National Interest
Despite the pandemic, North Korea's recent activities suggest that Kim Jong Un will likely stay the course in his ongoing campaign against the United States and the broader Northeast Asia region.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
Don't Get Too Excited, 'Quad Plus' Meetings Won't Cover China
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman
Apr 9, 2020
The Diplomat
The “Quad” countries met with several non-Quad countries to help each other amid the coronavirus pandemic. For all the good that can come of these countries working together, the Quad Plus, if sustained, may eventually jeopardize the Quad's primary mission: to counter China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
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China
commentary
A Short History of China's Fishing Militia and What It May Tell Us
Derek Grossman @DerekJGrossman, Logan Ma
Apr 6, 2020
Maritime Issues
China's armed fishing militia plays an instrumental role in Beijing's strategy to enforce its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea and East China Sea. Why did Beijing create a maritime militia to begin with and how has it evolved over time? What does this history suggest about its future?
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Maximizing Bargaining Leverage with Beijing: Developing Missiles as Bargaining Chips
Luke Griffith
Apr 3, 2020
RealClearDefense
Arms negotiations may offer the only way to reduce the grave threat posed to the United States and allied security by China's missiles. U.S. owned and operated missiles could provide the best bargaining chips.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
U.S.–South Korea OPCON Transition: The Element of Timing
Soo W. Kim @mllesookim
Apr 2, 2020
Council on Foreign Relations
As Washington and Seoul continue to examine the feasibility and conditions for wartime operational control transition, decisionmakers will likely face political pressure on timing. It may well be to the advantage of both allies that the determination of the transfer be driven by a hard, thorough diagnosis of military capabilities against emerging threats.
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