ISDP Voices

On November 13, 2019, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced that the annual Cherry Blossom Viewing Party would not be held in 2020 because of criticism of the Abe Government in both the media and in the National Diet of Japan. The cancellation of one of the feature events on the political calendar, which has […]

In the face of a potential geopolitical conflict involving the U.S. and Iran, Japan’s mediation role has become ever more important. Tokyo’s decision to deploy its Maritime Self-Defense Force to the Middle East, independently from U.S. initiatives, reflects Japan’s prudent consideration for its traditional partner in the region, Iran. Moreover, Tehran’s covert strategic collaboration with […]

China-Iceland relations have remained stable through the years, with cooperation in the development of green energy, Arctic affairs, and scientific cooperation. Recent high-level diplomatic visits from U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence, and U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, have put pressure on Icelandic politicians not to participate in the Chinese infrastructure and investment project the Belt […]

In late November, 2019, Japan and the Republic of Korea reached an agreement that their intelligence-sharing agreement GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement) should be extended, while other contentious bilateral issues were to be handled in a more thoughtful manner. The respective foreign ministers also agreed to work toward a summit between Prime Minister […]

A plan for a maritime corridor between Chennai in India and Vladivostok in Russia was recently formalized through a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) between the Indian Ministry of Shipping and Russia’s Ministry of Transport. Upon coming into effect, the route is expected to pass through the disputed South China Sea (and several other security hotspots), […]

The long-awaited Fourth Plenum of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded on October 31, after four days of deliberations in Beijing. The closed-door session, which was attended by the 202 full members and 169 alternative members, was convened after a 20-month hiatus, the longest gap in recent decades. Coming […]

While demonstrations in Hong Kong have grown in scope and intensity this summer, little attention has been paid to China’s other former European colony turned Special Administrative Region (SAR); Macau. Much has been made of the many anniversaries China is marking this year, whose political leaders are very conscious of political symbolism: 100 years since […]

Amidst a flurry of news and debates on Taiwan’s future in the Pacific region, with two of its last allies worldwide ultimately switching ties from Taipei to Beijing, it was almost all too easy to get distracted. Caught up in discussions about a shifting balance of power and China’s presumed winner-takes-all mentality, the news that […]

Climate researchers have recently released alarming reports indicating that the thaw of Arctic permafrost has already reached record levels for this year. Although a sign of a looming climate catastrophe, many actors, from east to west, view it as an opportunity: the Arctic Circle is becoming more accessible for trade routes and resource excavation. The […]

South Korea’s defense industry ambitions have increased significantly over the past couple of years as part of President Moon Jae-in´s wider Defense Reform 2.0. The program aims to support defense sector growth as well as the general economic development, with a focus on manufacturing high quality weaponry for the ROK Armed Forces and elevating South […]