Retaining Leadership in the Asia-Pacific: Why the US Should Work With China
Synopsis
Despite all 21 APEC leaders having endorsed Beijing’s move to promote the FTAAP, President Obama continues to harbour hopes that the TPP will serve as a key pathway towards the proposed free trade area in the region. American opposition to Beijing’s APEC stance is indicative of US wariness of China’s growing stature.
Syphoning Confidence: Piracy and Fuel Theft in Southeast Asia
Synopsis
A spate of fuel-syphoning attacks on small tankers in the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea is helping to perpetuate a misleading narrative of resurgent piracy in Southeast Asia. However, they reveal transnational dimensions to maritime crime that require a concerted stakeholder response.
The African Cup and Ebola: Morocco’s Refusal Rooted in Fear and Prejudice?
Synopsis
Morocco’s refusal to host the 2015 African Cup of Nations soccer tournament for fear that it could import the Ebola virus from West Africa goes beyond concern about a spreading pandemic. It also spotlights the complex relations between the continent’s Arab and sub-Saharan nations.
Pledges to Islamic State: Weak and Strong Alliances
Synopsis
Pledges of allegiance and obedience are the typical mechanisms used by jihadist groups to create “alliance hubs”, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) which is also known as Islamic State (IS). Some of the alliances may have proven strong, while others remain weak and exist in name only.
Immigration and Singaporean Identity: The Ethnicity Conundrum
Synopsis
The compartmentalisation of Singapore’s multicultural citizens into the four main ‘races’ prevents the effective forging of a comprehensive Singapore identity which new and local-born citizens can relate to. A stronger Singaporean identity needs to be inculcated in all citizens, especially with the increasing diversity of new immigrants to its shores.
G20 and Global Governance: Can it Do Better?
Synopsis
The G20 convenes this weekend in Brisbane for yet another summit. In the aftermath of the recent global financial crisis, some wonder whether the G20 still has relevance. Can this exclusive group of world leaders be the hope of global governance?
Russian Warships Bearing Down on Australia
FIRST ON 7: Prime Minister Tony Abbott's threat to shirtfront Russian President Vladimir Putin is escalating dramatically.
Immigrant Athletes in Singapore: When Gold is Not Good Enough
Synopsis
Citizens’ unreceptiveness towards foreign-born athletes carrying the Singapore flag in international competitions could perhaps be mitigated or even eradicated if immigrant athletes can integrate into Singapore society and express their loyalty to the country.
Income Inequality: New Worry Over Impact of QE
Synopsis
While the policy of easy money known as quantitive easing (QE) has saved the US financial sector from collapse, it has also been criticised for causing various problems. One recent criticism: QE could worsen the already worrisome global trend of increasing income inequality.
Trade Agreement Showdown at the APEC Meeting in Beijing: What Can We Expect?
The race is on between the United States and China to dominate the rules-setting game for trade by being the first to be able to announce plans for a free trade area in the Pacific Rim. China hopes to use its position as this year’s chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to propose a feasibility study on a Free Trade Agreement for the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), first mooted in 2006. In other words, negotiations towards an FTAAP would commence, for all practical purposes.