Global Security – the Shifting Axis, Kepler-16b, and Two Suns
Memo #171 – Star Wars fans worldwide remember the iconic scene of Luke Skywalker peering into a sky at dusk with not one but two suns sinking over the horizon of his home planet of Tatooine.
Asia in the Governance of Outer Space
Memo #154 – In 2011, the United States Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence called global attention to the congested, contested, and competitive nature of outer space activities. All space powers, including in Asia, continue to struggle with the safety and security of assets that undergird their modern economies, militaries, and societies. The practical issue is how to achieve national objectives, some of which are only possible in collaboration with others.
Exporting “Tough on Crime” Policy to Thailand: Harper’s Recent Visit
Memo #148 – Human smuggling and terrorism – not trade – played centre stage in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to Thailand in March. Although the Thai government was eager to solicit more interest in trade during a visit that marked the 50th anniversary of Canada-Thailand relations, it was left with $7 million (CDN) for an anti-crime program and an “exploratory” talk on free trade.
Government Policy in East Asia’s Digital Economy (Video Interview with Dr. Ken Coates) (Part 2/2)
Memo #130 – Government policies have played a crucial role in the development of the digital economy in East Asia. Japan’s investments in the sector go back to the 1960s and 1970s, with many of the early efforts laying the foundation for the subsequent success of Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba. Taiwan’s formidable “triple-helix” of government, business, and universities bore fruit in the emergence of the impressive “Taiwan Inside” effort to expand computer manufacturing. Korea’s government invested heavily in digital infrastructure, making the country the most wired in the world. China’s extensive innovation investments in everything from computer hardware to a network of animation studios have produced a great deal of research and commercial activity in the sector.
Why China isn’t Buying Eurozone Bailout Bonds (Yet)
Memo #128 – China has still not committed to invest in the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the stopgap fund created to tackle the European sovereign debt crisis. Officials have actually stated that China will not use its $3.2 trillion in foreign exchange reserves to rescue other countries. Why is this so?
为何中国仍未打算购买欧元区救助债券
Memo #128 – 中国仍未就投资于欧洲金融稳定基金（EFSF）做出任何承诺。创立这一基金是为了应急解决欧洲主权债务危机问题。官方发言人已表示，中国不会使用3.2万亿美元的外汇储备拯救其他国家，为什么要这样做呢?
East Asia’s Digital Economy (Video Interview with Dr. Ken Coates) (Part 1/2)
Memo #125 – Over the last quarter century, East Asia has played a dominant role in the digital economy. Taiwan, China, Korea, and Japan host many leading digital manufacturing firms. They exert enormous control over everything from video game consoles and cell phones to netbook computers and digital automotive control systems. As the digital economy grew in size and importance, so has East Asia’s presence in the digital space.
A New Japanese Voice at the G20
Memo #118 – The G20 Summit in Cannes just finished after a breathtaking Kalamatianós around global institutional reform and commitments. In this process, what was Japan’s role?
The G20 Impact on Leaders’ Approval Ratings
Memo #117 – Amid the attention inevitably placed on the Euro-zone crisis at the G20 summit in Cannes, France, there is one aspect of summitry that is often overlooked but is a background motivation for all summiteers, particularly the host. Namely, attempting to use a successful summit to potentially boost approval ratings, often with an upcoming election in mind, by displaying statesmanlike qualities on a global stage.
At G20: China a Balancer Between US and EU
Memo #116 – The G20 Summit in Cannes, from November 3 to 4, 2011, is possibly the last chance to prevent the beginning of a serious global financial meltdown. It’s a critical moment of confrontation between different blueprints on the future of global economic governance.