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Peter Apps
For Peter Apps's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 24, 2020
Beijing and others aim to make the best of coronavirus geopolitics
As the world heads into uncharted territory amid the coronavirus outbreak, it is undergoing stark and dramatic geopolitical shifts.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 10, 2020
Coronavirus unleashes economic warfare
The face-off between Saudi Arabia and Russia is a potent reminder of just how rapidly countries are taking the gloves off when it comes to economic confrontation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 2, 2020
As COVID-19 spikes, so does global instability
If the virus outbreak dramatically dents global economic growth, perhaps even producing a recession, that will likely raise the political temperature almost everywhere.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 25, 2020
Fears over COVID-19 threaten globalization rule book
What the international spread of the coronavirus would bring with it politically, culturally and economically remains a mystery.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2020
Turkey-Syria crisis points to risky post-American Mideast
Washington's withdrawal might usher in yet more bloodshed and uncertainty, particularly if the region's most powerful countries continue to believe they can often achieve as much with military action as by negotiation.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 11, 2020
With virus outbreak, China showcases micro drone surveillance
China remains dependent on using humans to watch other humans. That, however, is changing very quickly.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 29, 2020
In the next war, soldiers will leave their smartphones at home
The U.S. and its allies have become used to being able to use whatever devices and communications they wished since the Berlin Wall fell. Those days are ending fast.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 24, 2020
Climate change as a global culture war
U.S. President Donald Trump's Davos speech paints an unambiguous picture of both how he sees the world and intends to use that framing to win a second term.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 10, 2020
Where does Gulf crisis go after limited Iran strikes?
Faced with a confrontation, Trump was clearly willing to countenance more aggressive direct action than almost any of the U.S. foreign policy community would have embraced.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 18, 2019
Has the post-American Middle East arrived?
In the Middle East itself, those calling the shots increasingly believe Washington is leaving — and are unconcerned by what America might wish.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 7, 2019
Beset by Hong Kong protests, Beijing showcases missiles
The more aggressive China gets, the harder Beijing may find it to get the things it wants.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 16, 2019
80 years after 1939, Europe's far right smells power again
Far-right parties are making gains in Europe once again.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 27, 2019
Conspiracy theories risk becoming new currency of post-truth politics
Spreading conspiracy theories for political ends is hardly new, but the last decade has seen an explosion of such activity and it is continuing to intensify.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 18, 2019
With failure of arms treaty, powers risk new missile race
The loss of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty may be only the beginning.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 5, 2019
The West has problems, but so do Russia and China
Protests in Hong Kong and Russia show the limits of what many see in the West as autocratic power.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 26, 2019
With joint air patrol, Russia and China divide U.S. allies
Encounters involving hostile states needling U.S. allies while avoiding confrontation with U.S. forces are becoming more widespread.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 23, 2019
The new moon race could define our future
Nations are heading back to the moon because they wish to ultimately stay there.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 18, 2019
Turkey, the S-400 and the new arms sale geopolitics
As the current U.S.-Turkey row shows all too clearly, mixing and matching the latest Russian and U.S. weapons systems is something Washington does not take lightly.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 10, 2019
Chinese president's favorite general trips up over Taiwan
If China genuinely wishes to dominate its region it will need to make rather fewer missteps.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 17, 2019
Berlin airlift anniversary raises thorny geopolitical questions
Whether the United States and its allies would go to the same length to support an ally today remains a very open question.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world