Archives
Deft Chinese Diplomacy Reflects Asian Dynamism
Analysis by Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON — China denounces U.S. trade policy as protectionist one day after the Bush Administration threatens to take Beijing to the World Trade Organisation for coddling its semiconductor industry.
Japan, U.S. Send Confusing Signals on Korea
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON — North Korea's apparent acquisition of nuclear weapons and its admission last year that it had abducted scores of Japanese citizens over the past two decades has transformed the political outlook of many Japanese, driving even cautious diplomats to take positions further to the right of the Bush administration.
Japan, China, U.S. Ties at High Point
Analysis by Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON — On Sunday, Feb. 8, dozens of troops from the Japanese Self-Defence Forces crossed the Kuwaiti frontier into Iraq. The troops, who arrived in a long convoy of armoured vehicles, trucks, personnel carriers and an ambulance, are the first of a contingent of around 800 personnel Japan has sent to support the U.S. occupation force in Iraq.
U.S. Narrow Focus on Terror a Mistake
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON — The United States is committing a major political blunder in Indonesia by focusing solely on terrorism and should concentrate instead on helping the country build its democratic institutions and revitalise its economy and education system, according to regional experts on Islam.
Iraq Deployment Shows the East German Syndrome
Analysis by Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON (IPS) — Four years ago, the author and critic Chalmers Johnson wrote a prescient book about U.S. foreign policy that unfavourably compared Japan's postwar prime ministers to the East German leaders Walter Ulbricht and Erich Honecker.
U.S. Global Strategy Changes Asian Perceptions
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON — Has the United States adopted a new, global strategy based on the unilateral use of force that U.S. allies in South-east Asia must either accept in total or reject at the peril of becoming a target themselves?
‘Expert’ Draws Attention to Business of Counter-terrorism
Analysis by Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON — The Sep. 11 attacks on the United States and the subsequent U.S. invasion of Iraq have spawned a new industry of terrorism experts, who have made their mark by explaining their theories to the media and advising governments and corporations on how to cope with threats to national security.
Poll Tests if Premier is Independent Leader or U.S. Puppet
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, Oct 22 — On Nov. 9, Japan faces a general election for its powerful Lower House in which foreign policy will play a major role.
Trade, Currency Tensions Mask Growing Convergence
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, Sep 29 — The furore in Washington over the rapid expansion of Chinese exports and allegations that China's yuan is undervalued masks a growing convergence between the United States and China in diplomatic affairs, scholars and Asian experts say.
Economy Needs Stimulus More than Repayment of Bad Debts
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, Jun 12 — Richard Koo, the maverick chief economist for Japan’s Nomura Research Institute, is well-known for his theories that Japan’s financial crisis is caused more by corporate balance sheet problems than a lack of structural reforms at the macro level.
