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Vol. 23 - 2012 Welcome to the latest issue of Diplomat Brief. Each issue includes links to some of the most popular recent blogs and stories from our Asia-Pacific correspondents, as well as first-read access to articles yet to be fully released. ‘Behind the News’: Each week we will be featuring a question and answer session with a different notable author, contributor or newsmaker. The National Bureau of Asian Research's Abraham Denmark speaks with Robert Kaplan about his new book, The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate.
China's New Stealth Fighter Gambit Exclusive First Read CHINA Was the jet crafted from stolen intelligence? Could it be used on China's new aircraft carrier? With photos appearing online of another Chinese stealth fighter, questions are mounting. Read this story Robert Kaplan In his new book, The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us About Coming Conflicts and the Battle Against Fate, Robert Kaplan (Stratfor Global Intelligence) contends that current global conflicts, including wars, political instability, and clashes over religion, can be better understood and even forecasted through close examination of the maps that chart our world. In this Q&A, The National Bureau of Asian Research's Abraham Denmark asks Kaplan how this theory relates to the Asia-Pacific and what challenges geography will present for the United States’ policy toward the region. Read the full interview     The 21st century is commonly referred to as the 'Pacific Century.' For such a prediction to materialize, the economies of the Asia-Pacific must lead the globe. What challenges will the region face? What nations stand to benefit most? The Diplomat's economics and business blog, Pacific Money, will try to tackle these questions and more.     Bangladesh’s Ascent Not Without Sacrifices BANGLADESH Workers in the garment industry demonstrate that, like other countries, Bangladesh's growing economy comes with its own hardships. Read this story The “Mitt Romney School” of Foreign Policy ASIA-PACIFIC Although Gov. Romney often criticizes President Obama's choices in foreign affairs, many wonder about the precise nature of his own views. Read this story   The Dangers of a China-Japan Trade War Could the dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea damage economic relations? Read this story Anti-Islam Film Protests Turn Violent in Southeast Asia After protests remained peaceful over the weekend, the first signs of violence erupted on Monday. Read this story	In the World Economic Forum’s new Global Competitiveness Report the Philippines continued its trend of rising in the rankings, moving up 10 spots from last year’s position and 20 from two years ago to 65. The Philippines is one of only two countries to improve their position in the rankings by 20 spots over the past two years and has now surpassed Vietnam, though it still lags behind Indonesia. (Source: The Philippines Economy: Ready for Take-Off?, The Diplomat)   The Diplomat asked : Will tensions between Japan and China over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands spill over into conflict or will a compromise be found? Conflict: 35% Compromise: 65%

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