Salvatore Babones (@sbabones) is an American sociologist at the University of Sydney. His research takes a long-term approach to interpreting the structure of the global economy, with a particular focus on China. He can be reached at: s@salvatorebabones.com.
As European nervousness over Trump demonstrates, the United States is more than ever the hub of the European regional security system. Perhaps it’s time for the United States to find some new spokes? READ MORE
Book review — Chinese Hegemony by Feng Zhang
Originally published at: http://asianreviewofbooks.com/content/chinese-hegemony-grand ...“It is a common rule of propriety that culturally inferior foreign peoples should respect the Central Kingdom.” So begins a 1374 letter from Ming China’s founding Hongwu Emperor to a regional ruler in Japan. It continues: “One principle in both ancient and modern times has been for the small to serve the great.” READ MORE
Interview — Why China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ project will fail — and how it’s already succeeded
Originally published at: http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/trend-lines/22298/why-chi ...The rail distance from Chongqing in western China to Duisburg, Germany, the main western terminus of China’s One Belt, One Road rail services, is 11,000 kilometers, or 7,000 miles. That’s two-and-a-half times the distance from New York to Los Angeles. READ MORE
Can Germany defend Europe on its own?
Originally published at: http://nationalinterest.org/feature/can-germany-defend-europ ...If Europe wants collective defense, it is time for Europe to pass around the collection plate. Most of NATO’s frontline members in eastern and southern Europe are doing their part. Germany is not. READ MORE
Is Trump’s Asia policy working?
Originally published at: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/05/trump-asia- ...When Xi traveled to Mar-a-Lago in April, he was playing a high-stakes game in Trump’s house, and as any casino owner knows, the house always wins. Against all expectations, Trump’s Asia policy is working. It’s time for the pundits to admit it. READ MORE
Have Taiwan’s identity politics outgrown the One China myth?
Originally published at: http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/22197/have-taiwa ...Why have a One China policy at all? Today, the only real answer is that China insists on it. READ MORE
‘The Silver Way’ explains how the old Mexican Dollar changed the world
Originally published at: http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-silver-way-explains- ...Long before the dollar was painted Washington green, it was polished Mexican silver. READ MORE
Will China intervene in North Korea?
Originally published at: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/04/17041511061 ...If China does intervene in North Korea, it won’t be to topple the Kim regime and promote peaceful reunification. It will be to prevent a collapse of the Kim regime in the face of domestic mismanagement and American pressure. READ MORE
