Daily Archives: November 2, 2019

Can  China and America escape the Thucydides’ Trap? This is an existential threat to human civilisation.  Two thousand five hundred years ago, Thucydides warned about misperceptions and fears that destroyed Athens and Sparta in ancient Greece. Today, a rising China threatens the ruling American hegemon. Fear and miscalculations led to an unwanted disastrous war.  ProfessorContinue reading “Can China and America escape the Thucydides’ Trap?”

Hong Kong’s 2019 Turmoil: A Dismal Future? SYNOPSIS As Hong Kong’s political crisis deepens, what are the options open to Beijing and what are the priority issues for the Hong Kong leadership? COMMENTARY THE TURMOIL currently sweeping Hong Kong is driven primarily by four main causes. One, fear of Beijing’s growing control. Two, concern overContinue reading “Hong Kong’s 2019 Turmoil: A Dismal Future?”

ASEAN: Towards a   Security Community? KB Teo SYNOPSIS The EU is the only regional organisation to develop into a Security Community.  ASEAN is steadily growing into one. ASEAN’s main strategy is to stay united and actively engage the Great Powers. COMMENTARY The American political scientist Karl Deutsch defined a Security Community (SC) as one inContinue reading “ASEAN: Towards a Security Community?”

Synopsis Tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) have somewhat abated but the latent flashpoint remains. In mid-October 2018, a near collision took place between an American and Chinese warship. The US has attacked Beijing’s expansionism. In September 2018, Japan conducted its first-ever submarine drills in the waters. If the dispute escalates, ASEAN will notContinue reading

Xi-Modi 2019 Summit: Start of a New Era? KB Teo SYNOPSIS   In the 1950s, China-India ties were close. India was among the first states to recognize Mao’s new China. All this changed with the 1962 border war.  The summit is aimed at ushering in a new prosperous Chindia century. COMMENTARY The 1950s were the heydayContinue reading “Xi-Modi 2019 Summit: Start of a New Era?”

Japan-South Korea Tensions: Reconciliation Soon? KB Teo SYNOPSIS  The current Japan-South Korea tensions are related to historical grievances and trade conflicts.  There are no winners in a trade war. Seoul, wisely, has a keen interest to end the dispute quickly.  COMMENTARY     Loss of Trust The recent Japan-South Korea tensions arose due to a loss ofContinue reading “Japan-South Korea Tensions: Reconciliation Soon?”

(3) China-US Relations:   A new Cold War?  KB Teo SYNOPSIS China-US relations are becoming more conflictual.  The two superpowers are involved in an escalating trade war.  Washington opposes China’s attempt to become the global hegemon.  This could mean a new Cold War. COMMENTARY       Issues 1   Trade War The Trump administration is increasingly seeing ChinaContinue reading “China-US Relations: A New Cold War?”

(2) Synopsis Tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) have somewhat abated but the latent flashpoint remains.  In mid-October 2018, a near collision took place between an American and Chinese warship.   The US has attacked Beijing’s expansionism. In  September 2018, Japan conducted its first-ever submarine drills in the waters. If the dispute escalates, ASEAN willContinue reading “South China Sea conflicts”

17/9/19 KB Teo SYNOPSIS After two summits with Trump, there are reasons to believe that North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un is having the last laugh on the American president. It is unlikely that Kim will denuclearise as Trump wants. COMMENTARY IT IS very unlikely that North Korea will denuclearise.  There are three factors:  the persistenceContinue reading “North Korea: Why it is Unlikely to Denuclearise”

China Team [ 2019 Women’s Volleyball World Cup Highlights ] Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken. — Oscar Wilde. This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.