In Dialogue: Universities between China and the West

Dr Kevin Carrico and Dr Andrew Chubb discuss whether ‘Western’ universities should reconsider their ties with Chinese research and funding organisations.

The RS-28 Sarmat: Russia’s Satan II

Written by Joe Varner

When asking whether it is a deterrence game-changer in the short and long run, the answer is likely no. To counter the Sarmat, Washington can move more and more of its vulnerable land-based deterrent to the US sea-based portion of the triad and onto submarines.

Marcos Jr.’s Philippine foreign policy: What it means for the Indo-Pacific

Written by Joshua Bernard Espeña

It is unlikely that Manila will join Washington in balancing against Beijing — Marcos Jr has already made this clear. Neither will the country bandwagon with Beijing given domestic pressures driven by fears over creeping Chinese influence.

Pacific9DLMay 13, 2022Marcos Jr.’s Philippine foreign policy: What it means for the Indo-Pacific, Joshua Bernard Espeña, Philippines, China, United States, US, Bongbong, Marcos Jr, Indo-Pacific, South China Sea, Cold War, Filipino, Rodrigo Duterte, Manila, Washington, Philippinedisation, Solomon Islands, Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Taiwan, Quad, Australia, AUKUS, Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, Build Back Better World, Beijing, 2016 arbitral ruling, Association of the Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Code of Conduct, COC, ASEAN-China Code of Conduct, Chinese Coast Guard, International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, COLREGS, COVID-19, pandemic, Debt Trap, Sri Lanka, Hambantota Port, Ned Price, US State Department, Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, EDCA, People’s Liberation Army-Navy, International Development Security Cooperation, Rise of Philippinedization: Philippinedization

Is South Korea’s new Indo-Pacific strategy finally forthcoming?

Written by Wongi Choe

In contrast to the previous Moon Jae-in administration of the Republic of Korea (ROK), the new Yoon Suk-yeol government is highly likely to take on a new broader regional strategy with a comprehensive Indo-Pacific framework at its core.

One Duterte replaces another as family politics continues to dominate in the Philippines

Written by Daniel Bruno Davis

While vice presidents in the Philippines don’t have much power, Sara’s political future is tied more than ever to the success of Marcos. Their alliance produced big electoral wins for both of them. If Marcos remains popular as president her star will continue to rise.

Thailand’s long-anticipated submarine deal hits yet another snag

Written by Zachary Abuza

Thailand’s submarine deal with China has been put on hold, not due to the public backlash, parliamentary scrutiny, or a lack of strategic rationale; the Gulf of Siam is too shallow for submarines to operate effectively. But since the military coup of 2014, the Thai military usually gets its way regardless of strategic rationale.

Realistic path forward: Malaysia’s call for rethinking the ASEAN-Myanmar ‘consensus’

Written by Bridget Welsh

Since 2018, Malaysian governments have been proactive in drawing attention to conditions within Myanmar, with the current foreign minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, and former foreign minister, Syed Hamid Albar, actively engaged in seeking solutions to the crisis.

In Conversation: James Borton on 'Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground'

9DASHLINE recently sat down with James Borton to discuss his fascinating new book Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground, in which he argues that the South China Sea can become a body of water that unites, rather than divides.

Talking to all but tilting to one: India’s voting pattern at the UN

Written by Bashir Abbas

India’s abstentions during the present Ukraine crisis are occurring during the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party, whose right-wing credentials are well established. The 2014 vote on Crimea occurred during the rule of its predecessor — the United Progressive Alliance, a centrist party with the Congress at its helm.

South Asia9DLMay 2, 2022Talking to All but Tilting to One: India’s Voting Pattern at the UN, 9DASHLINE, Bashir Abbas, CSDR, Council for Strategic and Defense Research, Russia, Ukraine, India, Indo-Pacific, Non-alignment, Non-Aligned Movement, China, United States, US, Kashmir, UN, United Nations, UNSC, United States Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, USSR, Korean War, British, Egypt, United Progressive Alliance, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Hungary, Soviet, Suez, Pakistan, Warsaw Pact, Czechoslovakia, Moscow, New Delhi, Indira Gandhi, Lok Sabha, Soviet Union, Gandhi, Vietnam War, Prague Spring, Swaran Singh, Southeast Asia, Richard Nixon, Hanoi, Afghanistan, Brajesh Mishra, Iraq, NATO, Libya, UNSC Resolution 1973, Russian Federation, Crimea, Shivshankar Menon, no-fly zone, Krishna Menon, Nehru, F-16, Mirage 2000, SEPECAT Jaguar, SIPRI, MiG 21, Soviet veto, Khrushchev, Kosygin

Red-tagging as a human rights violation in the Philippines

Written by Teo S. Marasigan

Attempts to criminalise red-tagging and declare it a human rights violation show how citizens and civil society in the Philippines are fighting back in the legal sphere against an instrument of repression used by a government that has become an avatar of democratic decline in the world.

Approach with caution: blockchain experimentation in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Malcolm Campbell-Verduyn and Francesco Giumelli

The Indo-Pacific region has become a key site for informal attempts to create “crypto-utopias” and formal pilots of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

Pacific9DLApril 26, 20229DashLine, Malcolm Campbell-Verduyn, Francesco Giumelli, blockchain, Bitcoin, NFTs, databases, digital transactions, sanctions, permissionless, permissioned, Financial Times, Tonga, Vanuatu, Central Bank Digital Currencies, CBDCs, South Africa, Japan, India, Vietnam, Chainalysis, Global Crypto Adoption Index, Global South, crypto-colonialism, Ukraine, Russia, China, Sputnik, America, USA, US, Eurasian Economic Union, FinTech Association, e-ruble, Putin, Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, SWIFT, Cross-Border International Payments System, CIPS, Digital Currency/Electric Payment, DCEP, digital yuan, People's Bank of China, PBoC, financial sovereignty, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Universal Digital Payments Network, UDPN, Multiple Central Bank Digital Currency Bridge, m-CBDC, Thailand, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Global North, OFAC, US Office of Foreign Assets Control, Suex, New York State's Department of Financial Services, Coinbase, Accenture, Digital Dollar Project, European Central Bank, ECB, Bahamas, Caribbean, Philippines, Approach with caution: blockchain experimentation in the Indo-Pacific, CBDC, Crypto, Indo-Pacific, CIA, Masterchain, FinTech, Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, ross-Border International Payments System, People’s Bank of China, Digital yuan, European Union, EU

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat: Challenges and unity

Written by Daniel Julian Savua

While the PIF started in the era of regionalism and cooperation between nations, it has now turned to individualism with some nations taking steps that are best for them rather than the region.

As the focus on Myanmar fades Ukraine takes the spotlight

Written by Kristina Kironska

The military regime is worried that the Russian supply of hardware to Myanmar could slow down as it is now needed elsewhere. Moreover, Western financial sanctions on Russia are worrying for the junta as many generals and Myanmar’s arms dealers have bank accounts in Russia.

New partnership with La Trobe Asia

We are delighted to announce our new partnership with the Melbourne based organisation La Trobe Asia.

News9DLApril 15, 20229DASHLINE, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University, Indo-Pacific, Asia, Australia

Imran Khan — the end of a civilian dictator

Written by Ayesha Siddiqa

Indeed, in his political career spanning about two decades, he never learned the art of adjustment, honouring commitments, or following principles. He remained a good agitator, a master in building a popular narrative and catching people’s imagination, but without the capacity to deliver.

Uncharted waters: In search of Slovenia’s long-term China strategy

Written by Valentina Vengust

As a small country without the economic or political leverage of the bigger players, openly pursuing and advocating for the formation of an EU-wide unified strategy towards China could be extremely beneficial for Slovenia to attain its own foreign-policy goals.

Liberalism from below: The Global South, Ukraine and the Liberal International Order

Written by Indrajit Roy

Of the 141 countries that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, over 90 are from the Global South. Criticisms of Russia are thus not confined to European or North American countries.

Faultlines9DLApril 12, 20229DASHLINE, Indrajit Roy, Liberal International Order, Global South, LIO, Non-Aligned Movement, China, India, Pakistan, South Africa, UNGA, Russia, Putin, Ukraine, Zelensky, Middle East and North Africa Region, MENA, Rule of law, Eurocentric, Second World War, Atlantic Charter, UN, United Nations, US, UK, USSR, Kenya, Haiti, Nepal, Liberia, multilateralism, rules-based order, liberal internationalism, Potsdam, Tehran, Yalta, Bandung Conference, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Antigua, Barbados, Cote d'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Palau, colonisation, colonialism, Maldives, Martin Kimani, Liberalism from below: The Global South, Ukraine and the Liberal International Order, Asia Pacific, Nations General Assembly, Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, internationalism, WW2, United States, United Kingdom, Multilateralism, Asia, Africa, Trinidad, Non-alignment, University of York

Japan-Russia: The end of delusions

Written by Céline Pajon

Faced with the paralysis of the UN Security Council (UNSC), for instance, Tokyo condemned Russian actions and called for reform of this body. As part of this reform, the number of UNSC permanent members would increase, with a seat for Japan.