G7
Politics
Beyond the ‘Trump shock’: Japan’s recalibration in a multipolar world
Japan’s perception of the US is shifting, with declining confidence and increasing interest in the global south. As internal debates on China policy continue, Japan faces a critical test in leveraging its strengths, balancing alliances and adapting to global shifts to maintain or enhance its global standing. Academic Zhang Yun tells us more.
Zhang Yun
27 Feb 2025
Economy
Indonesia joins BRICS: A strategic step towards global south empowerment
Brazil has announced that Indonesia is now officially a full member of BRICS. But what are the strategic and economic implications of Indonesia’s new role, for BRICS, the global south and Indonesia itself? Academic Hao Nan evaluates the situation.
Hao Nan
14 Jan 2025
Economy
Can the Yangtze River Delta area remain the economic anchor of China? [Eye on JiangZheHu series]
The Yangtze River Delta area, first comprising Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang then later expanding to include Anhui, has clear-cut advantages in scientific and technological innovation. But the area also faces several challenges. EAI senior research fellow Yu Hong observes that excessive competition among cities and provinces within the region remains a pressing issue.
Yu Hong
09 Jan 2025
Politics
China and Russia: A joint bid for global power?
The China-Russia partnership has been a source of unexpected stability in 2024, amidst growing division in the West and the uncertainties of Trump’s impending presidency. Academic Hao Nan discusses how the partnership has evolved over 2024, and its impact on the wider geopolitical landscape.
Hao Nan
31 Dec 2024
Politics
Does Europe have strategic autonomy?
Even as the European Union (EU) seems to operate as a whole when it comes to international organisations such as the G7 and G20, there are contradictions within the grouping, as well as between the EU and external countries. Chinese academic Guo Bingyun looks at whether Europe’s seeming strategic autonomy has real substance to it.
Guo Bingyun
10 Dec 2024
Politics
The myth of Trump’s global impact
Donald Trump’s re-election has provoked anxiety and uncertainty around the world. However, the geopolitical impacts of Trump’s presidency will ultimately be limited by the fixed duration of his term and the prevailing bipartisan consensus, argues Chinese academic Guo Bingyun.
Guo Bingyun
20 Nov 2024
Politics
The ASEAN-4’s interest in BRICS: A shift in global alliances?
Malaysian academic Benny Teh explains why Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam (ASEAN-4) recently became partners of BRICS. This move is unlikely to break ASEAN apart, but the ability of BRICS to bring about the benefits it promises is not assured.
Benny Teh
14 Nov 2024
Politics
Can ASEAN survive? The challenge of maintaining unity amid great power rivalry
US academic Zhu Zhiqun observes a greater divergence among Southeast Asian countries, but notes that ASEAN has helped to promote regional unity and development for several decades, and it is in the interest of great powers like the US and China to respect ASEAN’s centrality.
Zhiqun Zhu
06 Nov 2024
Politics
Middle powers and international law: A bulwark against Thucydides Trap
Academic Chris Alden and researcher Kenddrick Chan assert that even as great power rivalry intensifies, middle powers have agency to navigate their way with the help of international law and group coalitions.
Chris Alden , Kenddrick Chan
03 Oct 2024
Politics
Kishida administration’s foreign policy: Hits and misses
With Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announcing that he will not seek re-election, Japanese academic Shin Kawashima reviews Kishida’s diplomatic choices during his term, particularly Japan-China relations.
Shin Kawashima
18 Sep 2024