By Harsh V. Pant America’s “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific continues to dominate the limelight even though the official phrase in Washington is now “strategic re-balancing.” Much of this “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific is a continuation and expansion of policies already…
Who is he? Thomas Countryman has been the assistant secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation since September 2011. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and holds the rank of Minister-Counselor with 30 years’ experience in political-military…
The third U.S.-India Higher Education Dialogue, which is scheduled to take place later this month in New Delhi, provides a timely opportunity to discuss collaborative initiatives for capturing India’s ‘demographic dividend.’ India recognizes the urgency of equipping its workforce with…
Who is he? Joseph Yun is the acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. Prior to his current position, he served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of state and as a deputy assistant secretary of…
Who is he? Dr. M Mangapati Pallam Raju serves as Minister for Human Resources Development, the head of India’s education agency. Pallam Raju was elected to the 9th, 14th, and 15th Lok Sabha representing the Kakinada constituency of Andhra Pradesh…
Who is he? Kim Han-gil is a four-term lawmaker and the new chairman of South Korea’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Party. Born in 1953, Kim’s literary career began with winning a rookie award for his novel from major South…
By Monica Whaley In early October, Indonesia will host the 21st gathering of APEC Economic Leaders – heads of the 21 APEC Economies – which span from Vladivostok to Tasmania, and from Tierra del Fuego to the Aleutians. Indonesia itself…
By Lynn Kuok Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel had an unenviable task at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue officially known as the IISS Asia Security Summit, which ran from May 31 to June 2 in Singapore. The main purpose of Hagel’s…
Who is he? Lee Byung-kee is the new Republic of Korea (ROK) ambassador to Japan, and assumed his post on June 4, 2013. Previously, he served as a political adviser at the think tank of the ruling Saenuri Party. Lee’s…
The East Asia regional meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), formally opened on June 6 in the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw. The WEF is an independent Switzerland-based organization that aims to improve economic growth by bringing together business, political,…
By Samir Nair & Guru Amrit Khalsa The U.S.-India military relationship has grown tremendously over the last decade. Bilateral military exercises, personnel exchanges and sales of defense equipment are proceeding at a level that would have been impossible as recently…
By Chris Johnson On June 7-8, President Obama will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for an “official working visit” at the Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage, California. This is the first meeting between the two presidents following President Obama’s inauguration…
