Month: January 2018

Defining the US-China relationship crucial to peace, prosperity

By Ken Moak It appears that 2018 could be a defining year for the US-China relationship and a litmus test of the political will of the two countries’ presidents. The US Congress’ passage of three pieces of legislation – the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Taiwan Travel Act (TTA), and a law requiring the … Continue reading Defining the US-China relationship crucial to peace, prosperity

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Polar Silk Road: Why Russia’s Northern Sea Route is the Best Option for China

Russia's Northern Sea Route emerges as the best option for Beijing's "Polar Silk Road" project, RIA Novosti contributor Dmitry Lekukh underscores. Besides developing the secure transit routes along the Russian Arctic and Far East, Moscow and Beijing are likely to bolster the exploration of natural reserves in the region, he noted. China's newly announced "Polar … Continue reading Polar Silk Road: Why Russia’s Northern Sea Route is the Best Option for China

China charges Australia’s lithium boom

Australia enjoys new mining growth with rising demand for the light metal used in many 'next generation' technologies By Lachlan Colquhoun   Australia is on the cusp of a new commodities boom as a lithium exporter, and Chinese investors are well ahead in the race to secure their supply. As the critical ingredient in next … Continue reading China charges Australia’s lithium boom

Russia faces complex choices on how to play the Kurdish card

By Khalid Ibn Muneer Syria’s unending civil war has witnessed the unfurling of a new chapter with the cross-border bombardment by Turkish artillery on the Kurd-dominated pocket of Afrin. This move from Turkey was followed by relentless bombastic anti-Kurdish sentiments from Turkish political leaders. Turkish media have now gone into a nationalist frenzy, shrouded with … Continue reading Russia faces complex choices on how to play the Kurdish card

The rough face of Indonesian tourism development

By Alek K Kurniawan Tourism is a priority of Indonesian President Joko Widodo. He has built a lot of infrastructure for it. He has created a friendly policy toward investors. He has also conducted a friendly policy toward foreign tourists – but he has often forgotten his own people. Many infrastructure developments do not bring … Continue reading The rough face of Indonesian tourism development