No One “Won” the Summit

By: Annie Kowalewski, Columnist Photo by: Getty Images After the Trump-Kim summit in Singapore on June 12, pundits were quick to jump in to assess who “won” the summit. Stepping away from the sensationalism surrounding the “competition” between the two leaders, the summit did not significantly alter the situation on the peninsula. US-DPRK relations remain … Continue reading No One “Won” the Summit

Flawed by Design: Electronics with Pre-Installed Malware

By: Ryan Neuhard, Columnist Photo by: Reuters Electronics sourced from China pose a risk to US national security. Firms in China have repeatedly pre-installed malicious software on products sold in the United States. This activity provides Chinese authorities with the means to conduct espionage and launch cyber-attacks against US targets. The United States should consider … Continue reading Flawed by Design: Electronics with Pre-Installed Malware

DPRK Cyber Capabilities

By: Annie Kowalewski, Columnist Photo by: ABC News Introduction Much has been written on threats of the North Korean nuclear and missile developments, but the DPRK threatens the United States and regional allies in another domain as well: cyber. It is easy to dismiss North Korea’s cyber capabilities as underdeveloped due to the isolated and … Continue reading DPRK Cyber Capabilities

China’s “Three Warfares” In Theory and Practice in the South China Sea

PRC Maritime Militia leave a harbor in China's Zhejiang Province, September 2012. By: Doug Livermore, Columnist Photo by: Reuters News Chinese military theory has long valued stratagems focused on undermining the morale of an opposing force. In his penultimate work, The Art of War, famed Zhou dynasty strategist Sun Tzu wrote, “Supreme excellence consists in … Continue reading China’s “Three Warfares” In Theory and Practice in the South China Sea

Post-Karimov Reform in Uzbekistan: Illusion or Reality?

By: Will Chim, Columnist Photo by: Asia Times For two and half decades, the words “Uzbekistan” and “Karimov” were inextricable – one could not discuss the Central Asian country without mentioning its brutal leader. But since Uzbekistani President Islam Karimov’s death in 2017 after 25 years of rule, many are wondering what comes next. For … Continue reading Post-Karimov Reform in Uzbekistan: Illusion or Reality?

Weathering North Korea’s “Charm Offensive”: Maintaining the U.S./South Korean Alliance After the Winter Olympics

U.S. Marines, left, and South Korean Marines, wearing blue headbands on their helmets, take positions after landing on the beach during a joint military combined amphibious exercise in Pohang, South Korea. By Doug Livermore, Columnist Photo by: Kim Jun-bum/Yonhap via AP Ever since North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, a perpetual state of war … Continue reading Weathering North Korea’s “Charm Offensive”: Maintaining the U.S./South Korean Alliance After the Winter Olympics

Burying Our Heads in the Sand: Female Participation in Political Violence (The Kim Yo-jong Story)

By: Annie Kowalewski, Columnist Photo by: Associated Press After Kim Yo-jong’s appearance at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, the media heralded her “charm” and applauded her for “stealing the show”. [i] Kim Yo-jong’s coverage was so positive that even Buzzfeed News stepped in to remind the populace that she is part of one of … Continue reading Burying Our Heads in the Sand: Female Participation in Political Violence (The Kim Yo-jong Story)

Indonesia’s War on Terror is Far from Over

By: Alicia Chavy, Columnist Photo by: islamedianalysis.info Amid recent concerns about the terrorist attacks in 2016 and the spread of extremism, Indonesian President Joko Widodo ramped up security measures in Indonesia. Yet, despite Indonesia’s success countering extremism and thwarting terrorist threats over the past two decades, the return of foreign jihadists and homegrown radicalization pose … Continue reading Indonesia’s War on Terror is Far from Over

Sri Lanka: A Story of China’s Consolidation and India’s Haste

By: Husanjot Chahal, Columnist Photo Credit: NewsInAsia On November 21, 2017, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in India for a three-day visit.[i] The visit marked the eighth interaction between Indian and Sri Lankan heads of state since 2015—suggesting vigorous high-level political engagement. Expediting decisions on joint projects and “solving the problems that have … Continue reading Sri Lanka: A Story of China’s Consolidation and India’s Haste

Reliance on China to Solve North Korea is Reasonable, but Unrealistic

By: Theresa Lou, Columnist Photo Credit: Reuters North Korea conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on November 28, the third such test in 2017. Amidst the predictable flurry of discussions surrounding how the United States should respond to Pyongyang’s growing threat, the Trump administration remains fixated on its current approach of pushing China to … Continue reading Reliance on China to Solve North Korea is Reasonable, but Unrealistic