1. The Flawed Logic Behind Beijing’s Senkaku/Diaoyu Policy

    Beijing has responded to Japan’s recent nationalization of the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku islands, with activities on the ground (or water) designed [...]

  2. Have An Island Dispute With China? Lawyer Up

    For many politicians, territorial disputes are a chance to flex military muscles and look tough.  But with the Philippines' latest [...]

  3. A Frightening Prospect: War in the East China Sea

    The gloomiest man in Canberra, Australia’s noted strategic expert Hugh White, has added a new edge to his warning about [...]

  4. China’s Island Strategy: “Redefine the Status Quo.”

    The most striking feature of China’s behavior in its maritime disputes this year has been efforts to redefine the status [...]

  5. Doubling Down in the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands?

    High-ranking diplomats from China and Japan met in Shanghai recently to hold consultations over the Senkaku / Diaoyu Islands.  Zhang [...]

  6. Tensions in the East China Sea: Here To Stay

      Tensions over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands are still simmering – with fallout mounting daily. Despite talks between high-ranking diplomats from [...]

  7. What to Talk About: Easing China-Japan Island Tensions

    China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced that Luo Zhaohui, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs, had made an [...]

  8. Something to Talk About, Again

    Earlier, I wrote about why China believes that a past consensus existed with Japan over deferring resolution of the dispute [...]