September 24, 2007
JapanSheila A. Smith, a CFR adjunct senior fellow who lives in Tokyo, says Yasuo Fukuda, the new Japanese prime minister, is likely to be a moderate force in Japanese politics.
July 30, 2007
Elections and VotingSmith, a Japan political expert living in Tokyo, says even though Prime Minister Shinzo Abe does not have to resign, there is “intense pressure” on him to do so from within his own party.
July 25, 2007
Elections and VotingSheila A. Smith, a leading expert on Japanese politics, says the mood in Japan just ahead of parliamentary elections is “disgruntlement” with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
March 23, 2011
BahrainOpposition movements in Bahrain and Yemen are hobbled by societal and sectarian divisions that were finessed in Tunisia and Egypt, says Middle East expert Kristin Smith Diwan.
December 17, 2014
JapanPrime Minister Shinzo Abe has a fresh electoral mandate to implement structural reforms but many of his intended changes will require the transformation of Japanese society, says CFR’s Sheila Smith…
September 13, 2012
JapanSheila Smith argues that while recent tensions between Japan and South Korea over territorial issues are deeply worrisome for the U.S. government and for regional stability, the reality is that a str…
January 29, 2010
Diplomacy and International InstitutionsCFR Senior Fellow Sheila Smith says the Six Party Talks have built cooperation among Northeast Asian countries, which need to work together, particulary on North Korea, but also on growing tension be…
May 25, 2009
North KoreaCFR’s Northeast Asia expert Sheila A. Smith says it is imperative for the United States to make it clear that it will not accept a nuclear North Korea. The UN’s nonproliferation regime is also facing…
April 29, 2009
Terrorism and CounterterrorismThe U.S. Central Command’s communication director says countering militant messages in Afghanistan and Pakistan will require being "first with the truth" and empowering indigenous voices.
April 6, 2009
Nonproliferation, Arms Control, and DisarmamentCFR’s Sheila Smith says Pyongyang’s latest attempt at a rocket launch shows the regime is clearly bent on acquiring a nuclear delivery capability. She says Washington must reassure North Korea that d…