Members Only CIA Director Walks the Line on North Korean Regime Change
CIA Director Mike Pompeo signaled Thursday that a key goal of the Trump administration is to “separate” North Korean leader Kim Jong-un from control over […] More
Latest Asia Briefs
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Members Only First question for Huntsman – Why?
President Donald Trump has nominated Jon Huntsman for U.S. ambassador to Russia as his administration comes under ever-increasing scrutiny over its ties to Russia. If […] More
Members Only Pakistan’s ISI: The True Deep State
While the origins of the phrase may be traced back to Turkey, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) today represents the defining example of a “deep […] More
Members Only Pakistan’s Double Game, Unpacked
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is one of most powerful intelligence agencies in the world, as it works to further Pakistani interests in South Asia. The […] More
Members Only Pakistan’s Proudly Double-Dealing Intelligence Service
Pakistan’s intelligence organization, known as Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has ensnared the U.S. in a double game for years. Operating in the shadows of the Pakistani […] More
Members Only South Korea Proposes Talks with North Despite Pyongyang’s Skepticism
South Korea has extended an offer for military and humanitarian talks with North Korea. South Korean President Moon Jae-in ran on a platform of engagement […] More
Members Only Natural Security Series: Holding China Accountable for Harming Oceans
Beijing’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) have released a comprehensive plan for maritime economic development and cooperation across […] More
Members Only Will Tokyo’s Arms Exports Help or Hurt U.S Interests in Asia?
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s current political problems obscure the striking speed with which he successfully tackled thorny and long-standing security policy problems, including the […] More
Members Only Japan Meets Buyer Resistance in Asian Arms Market
Alongside his “Abenomics” economic reform package, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his government have sought to reform and expand the authority of the Japanese […] More
Members Only Japan’s Arms Merchants Are Off to a Rocky Start
When Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government redrew Japan’s self-imposed arms export restrictions in 2014, it hoped to spark a revolution in a domestic defense […] More
Members Only Vladimir Putin and the Art of Intelligence
Russians are fond of their aphorism, v chuzhoi monastir so svoim ustavom, ne khodyat – “No-one goes to another monastery with their own charter,” the Russian equivalent […] More
Members Only Murky U.S.-Pakistan Relationship Defined by Afghan War
For the last 15 years, the U.S. and Pakistan have struggled to navigate the murky nature of their relationship as they strive to bring security […] More
Members Only Pakistan’s Proxy Strategy Principal Cause of Mistrust for U.S.
Despite Pakistani claims to have taken action against all terrorist groups on its soil, U.S. government officials have continued to signal that neither anti-Afghan Taliban […] More
Members Only Great Potential to Deepen U.S.-Pakistani Relations
As the Trump Administration debates sets its policy for the way forward in Afghanistan, it will also need to consider the role of Pakistan in […] More
Members Only Former Acting CIA Director: Don’t Overreact to North Korean Provocations
North Korea took a significant step forward in its missile program this week with a successful test launch of what is believed to be an […] More
Members Only Disagreements on Trade, THAAD, and Troops Won’t Stop U.S.-Korea Alliance
The U.S.-South Korea alliance has supported the peace and prosperity of both nations for more than 60 years, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in revealed […] More
Members Only Moon Receives “Frosty” Reception in First Meeting with Trump
The Trump Administration has made the North Korean nuclear and missile threats a national security priority and has called on its regional allies to bring […] More
Members Only Moon Makes His Case for Greater Role on North Korea Policy
At the first meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and new South Korean President Moon Jae-in, the two leaders discussed disagreements over trade, the THAAD […] More
Members Only Trump, Putin Set to Meet as Russia Uses Hybrid Warfare Against Ukraine
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first meeting later this week comes against the backdrop of a cyberattack thought to be linked to […] More
Members Only Hong Kong and China: One Country, One Future?
Xi Jinping will make his first visit to Hong Kong as president of China this week as the territory prepares to commemorate the 20th anniversary […] More
Members Only Hong Kong and Beijing: Getting Back to “Basics”
Twenty years ago, when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China, Beijing agreed to administer the island according to the Basic Law, which would preserve […] More
Members Only Is Hong Kong Losing its Identity?
Hong Kong’s society and economy have changed under 20 years of Beijing’s influence. Chinese capital has bought out companies and real estate and job seekers […] More
Members Only Trump, Modi Vow to Fight Scourge of Terrorism
At first glance, the similarities between President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi point to a foundation for a strong relationship. Both wish […] More
Members Only Trump’s Options for Afghanistan: Losing or Not Losing
The American war in Afghanistan is in its 16th year. It was preceded by 12 years of civil war, and before that by the Soviet […] More