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The article discusses the China-Philippines dispute over the South China Sea and its implications for the region's stability, highlighting the escalating tensions fueled by China's assertive actions and rejection of international court rulings. Topics include the strategic importance of the South China Sea, competing territorial claims, and the role of the U.S. in maintaining maritime order and freedom of navigation.

A nuclear debate has arisen in South Korea following North Korea's nuclear tests and weapons program. Despite the US extended nuclear deterrence for its security, a sizable section of the people in South Korea have started debating if their country can revisit the nuclear option as a deterrent to North Korea's continued threats. Several law makers have started articulating such a view. Several opinion polls held recently also endorse such a view. However, the US is unlikely to allow South Korea to take the nuclear path as it would have serious consequences not only for the region but also the world. China would also not rejoice with the prospect of having another nuclear power in its neighborhood. If South Korea goes nuclear, Japan and Taiwan will find it difficult to resist having their own nuclear weapons. To stem such a trend, it becomes all the more necessary for the international community to address the issue of denuclearizing North Korea. The suspended Six-Party-Talks ought to restart soon and China has a great role in reigning in Pyongyang. Fortunately, the government in South Korea has not supported the view of the country going nuclear. But if the security situation deteriorates further, it might become irresistible for the government to have a rethink, with an inevitable domino effect in Japan and Taiwan soon. This article makes an in-depth study of the prevailing trend in South Korea, the views of some influential law makers pleading for the country to go nuclear, various public opinions polls, possible US stance and implications that such a change in policy would have on the region's security situation and the author's assessment based on the critical examination of the above-mentioned factors. Many sources have been cited to analyze this issue before arriving at an objective assessment of the point raised in this essay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the changing security environment in Northeast Asia, stemming from China's assertiveness in regional issues and North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the threat perception in Japan has considerably heightened. This has triggered a debate domestically in Japan about whether it is an appropriate time to review its nuclear option as a means of deterrence. Such thinking presupposes that confidence in the U.S. extended deterrence has started eroding or has weakened. There are various political strands to this issue and there is no consensus yet reached to make the change officially possible. If Japan does indeed initiate a change in policy seriously, it would make the United States uncomfortable. But given the strong anti-nuclear sentiment in Japan, it would be difficult for any government of any party to sell the idea to the people. The domino effect of such a policy change would be seen almost immediately in South Korea and Taiwan, making Northeast Asia the world's most nuclearized region. This would also mean the abrogation of the security alliance relationship with the United States. Given Japan's capability in terms of capital, technology and possession of sufficient spent fuel needed for making the nuclear bomb it would be possible for Japan to make a nuclear bomb, but it would be a politically dangerous move and therefore inadvisable. Though it would remain theoretically possible, the debate would remain as an academic exercise for quite some time. This essay makes an attempt to study this complex issue as objectively as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sino-Japanese relationship is too complex a narrative in the study of security and strategic dynamics of East Asia. Despite historical irritants both have developed such a close economic relationship that neither can afford to derail the partnership by any act of miscalculation. Though neither perceives the relationship in zero-sum-game terms, both realize the benefits that would accrue if it is deepened, nothwithstanding the element of fragility in the relationship. More recently, China’s military modernisation and rising assertiveness in territorial issues have raised anxiety in Japan. Similarly, China does not see kindly to Japan’s Defense Guidelines that mentions China as a matter of ‘concern’. The contending claims over the Senkaku Islands are a sore point in the relationship and a solution does not seem to be in the horizon. This article attempts to analyse the intricacies in the bilateral relationship in the context of changing security dynamics in the Asia Pacific region and in the wake of economic interdependence and the desire to foster economic integration of economies. China is a big challenge for Japan. Managing China through regional institutions such as East Asia summit and ADMM Plus are the desirable options. The extended presence of the US as a stabilising force is likely to stay despite talks of US ‘decline’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

India and Australia are rediscovering the vast potentials of maximizing mutual benefits that are inherent in their complementary economies. There is also a great deal of convergence of interests in the strategic domain. As an emerging power, India's profile has attracted attention by countries in the Asia Pacific region, which tended to neglect it in the past. The rise of China and its assertive stances have created an element of uneasiness in the region. Its military modernization and beefing up of naval capability are suspected to be behind enhancing its power projection capability. The strategic significance of the Indian Ocean for the region is huge. The region's growth is inextricably linked to the Indian Ocean. The littoral states in the region are home to 2.6 billion people, almost 40% of the world's population. The Indian Ocean is the world's third largest body of water, and the world's leading energy and trade seaway. The volume of global trade brings with it the re-emerging problems of terrorism and piracy, a shared policing challenge for all littoral states. The security of the Indian Ocean goes to the heart of both India's and Australia's national interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The only possible way of resolving North Korea's nuclear issue is to have incremental success in a process of dialogue, by which the core issues are not jeopardized. The roadmap for transformation in North Korea should be two-pronged: engaging North Korea in a continuous dialogue and assuring state security as well as guaranteeing human security. This means transforming North Korea “both economically and socially without challenging its sovereignty and statehood”. Engaging North Korea is preferable to isolating it. China is the only country to persuade the North to change its policy and give up its nuclear weapon development programme and reform its economy. The Six Party Talks must be resumed as soon as possible for a start. The international community will be willing to help Pyongyang if the regime agrees to be integrated into the outside world. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The authors examine the foreign policy orientation by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama towards East Asia in 2010. They contend that Obama is aiming to revise bilateral alliances. The challenge posed by the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to the U.S.-Japan alliance is explored. A discussion on the strength of the U.S.-China relations is detailed.

Remittances are increasingly identified as golden eggs that contribute crucially to the foreign exchange earnings of many developing countries across the world. Governments and international agencies have recognised that remittances to the developing world are substantially greater than aid. Though the global flow of such remittances is in the vicinity of $1 50-200 billion, remittances to South Asia alone total perhaps $40-50 billion. Much of these remittances are done through unofficial mechanisms and procedures, via informal value transfer systems and are, therefore, unregulated and uncontrolled. Proliferating migrant social networks and the emergence of a vibrant immigration industry, have given a momentum to international migration. Remittances generate both micro and macro-economic effects. In microeconomic terms, remittances make an important welfare contribution to the receiving household, besides providing a cushion during an economic downturn or following natural disasters. They also generate ripple effects impacting extended family and community beyond the receiving household due to increased consumption. In macroeconomic terms, remittances provide a stable flow of funds that is often counter-cyclical and an important source of foreign exchange for many countries. The argument in this article concentrates on the economic and financial linkages that the Indian diasporic community has maintained with the mother country and their relevance to the developmental programmes in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the role of India pertaining to the goal to established an East Asian community. India's interest in the East Asian community had sparked a challenges since it is not an East Asian countries. The country's involvement in the East Asia will greatly affect political and economic activity in the region. Its inclusion in the integration process is important as major key players in enhancing regional cooperation.