Asia | Council on Foreign Relations

Japan

Japanese Court Puts Same-Sex Marriage on the Nation’s Agenda

Erin Gallagher is a research associate for Japan studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. On March 17, three couples in Hokkaido won a landmark case in the Sapporo District Court. Thousan…

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for Asia Unbound March 30, 2021 Asia Unbound
Asia

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor—Hard Reality Greets BRI’s Signature Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative's flagship project in Pakistan is struggling to fulfill China's hopes.

Blog Post by David Sacks March 30, 2021 Asia Unbound
Democracy

Democracy Tested: Democratic Backsliding in India, With Pratap Bhanu Mehta

In this special series of The President’s Inbox on the future of democracy, James M. Lindsay speaks with experts to discuss whether and where democratic governance is faltering around the world. This week, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, leading scholar of political theory, constitutional law, international affairs, and society and politics in India, breaks down the health of democracy in India. This episode is part of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Pratap Bhanu Mehta March 30, 2021 The President's Inbox

Iran

Will Iran Turn Into a Chinese Gas Station?

The new Iran-China investment deal doesn't add up

Blog Post by Elliott Abrams March 30, 2021 Pressure Points
China

China's Huawei Is Winning the 5G Race. Here's What the United States Should Do To Respond

China is successfully using the Belt and Road Initiative to promote the adoption of Huawei 5G, while the United States is looking to reverse these gains.

Blog Post by David Sacks March 29, 2021 Net Politics
Cybersecurity

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of U.S. - China Technology Competition

Panelists discuss the ways U.S. and Chinese efforts to develop artificial intelligence (AI) are shaping national security and geopolitical competition.

Virtual Event by Elsa B. Kania, Adam Segal and Robert O. Work March 29, 2021
Tibet

China’s Policies in Its Far West: The Claim of Tibet-Xinjiang Equivalence

Robert Barnett is a Professorial Research Associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; an Affiliate Researcher at King’s College, London; and former Director of Mode…

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for Asia Unbound March 29, 2021 Asia Unbound
Southeast Asia

The Myanmar Massacre and Insight Into the Myanmar Military

The past weekend was extremely bloody in Myanmar, where the Civil Disobedience Movement faces off against the military, and has so, for roughly two months now. On Armed Forces day last Saturday, mili…

Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick March 29, 2021 Asia Unbound
Cybersecurity

Cyber Week in Review: March 26, 2021

China restricts use of Tesla vehicles by military and state employees; Amazon adopts AI-powered cameras, forces delivery drivers to sign “biometric consent” form; Intel to expand advanced chip spending and development; Major companies call on G7 to form “Data and Technology Forum;” and Facebook takes action against Chinese hackers.

Blog Post by Adam Segal March 26, 2021 Net Politics
Kenya

Belt and Road in Kenya: COVID-19 Sparks a Reckoning with Debt and Dissatisfaction

The economic impact of COVID-19 has exposed the underlying fragility of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Kenya, already the subject of scrutiny over corruption, pollution, and debt concerns. BRI fueled an ambitious infrastructure push in Kenya.

Blog Post by Guest Blogger for Africa in Transition March 25, 2021 Africa in Transition
Climate Change

Extreme Weather Worsens, Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day, and More

Extreme weather events ramp up in Australia and the United States; Myanmar’s military junta marks Armed Forces Day; and leaders from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay convene for a virtual trade summit.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay March 25, 2021 The World Next Week
China

Countries in China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Who’s In And Who’s Out

Jennifer Hillman and David Sacks are codirectors of the CFR-sponsored Independent Task Force report on a U.S. Response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which is co-chaired by Jacob J. Lew and Gar…

Blog Post by David Sacks March 24, 2021 Asia Unbound
Afghanistan

Transition 2021 Series: U.S. Involvement in Afghanistan

The Transition 2021 series examines the major foreign policy issues confronting the Biden administration.

Virtual Event by Rina Amiri, Husain Haqqani, Laurel E. Miller and Barnett R. Rubin March 24, 2021
China

China’s Belt and Road: Implications for the United States

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy undertaking and the world’s largest infrastructure program, poses a significant challenge to U.S. economic, political, climate change, security, and global health interests.

Task Force Report by Jacob Lew, Gary Roughead, Jennifer Hillman and David Sacks March 23, 2021
China

Report Launch of CFR Independent Task Force on a U.S. Response to China's Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy endeavor, has the potential to meet developing countries’ needs and spur economic growth, but the reality is often otherwise. China’s Belt and Road: Implications for the United States, the report of a CFR-sponsored Independent Task Force, provides a thorough examination of BRI and the challenges it poses to U.S. interests and proposes that the United States respond with an affirmative agenda of its own, drawing on its strengths and coordinating with allies and partners to promote sustainable, secure, and green development around the world.

Virtual Event by Jacob Lew, Gary Roughead, Jennifer Hillman and David Sacks March 23, 2021