Commentary / World Jun 30, 2021
Coronavirus and China’s geopolitical rollercoaster
It seemed for a time that the pandemic could mark a moment of ascendancy in the “psychological balance of power” as China moved to supplant America's leadership role.
Ramesh Thakur
Ramesh Thakur is Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University; adjunct professor, Institute for Ethics, Governance and Law, Griffith University, and editor-in-chief of Global Governance from Jan. 1, 2013. He began writing for The Japan Times in 1998 as Vice Rector of the United Nations University.
For Ramesh Thakur's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Commentary / World Jun 5, 2021
India’s suspect ‘Quad’ credentials
COVID-19 has brutally exposed the hollowness of India’s pretensions to power, status and influence and boasts of being a vaccine superpower and pharmacy to the world.
Commentary / World May 12, 2021
It’s time we learn to live with coronavirus
In reality, no one has definitive answers and stronger restrictions have not resulted in fewer COVID-19 deaths.
Commentary / World Apr 1, 2021
In support for Myanmar’s democracy, conditions apply
Outside powers should support ASEAN’s lead role and work with it to persuade the generals to vacate the governance space without further bloodshed.
Commentary / World Feb 26, 2021
Australia’s face-off with Facebook is of global import
In one clumsy strike, Facebook unified the entire Australian political spectrum, alienated its users and underlined just why tech giants require enforceable regulation.
Commentary / World Feb 3, 2021
Biden’s limited options on North Korea
If North Korea’s nuclear status is seen to have been normalized, it could trigger a cascade of proliferation across Northeast Asia.
Commentary / Japan Jan 10, 2021
The West should envy Japan’s COVID-19 response
The virus is not unprecedented, but the draconian societal shutdowns are. Who would have expected Western democracies to mimic authoritarian China?
Commentary / Japan Dec 9, 2020
Australia and Japan edge toward an alliance
On Nov. 17, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison became the first foreign leader to visit Japan since Yoshihide Suga assumed the prime ministership.
Commentary / Japan Oct 30, 2020
Mobilizing the world behind the nuclear weapons ban treaty
Setsuko Thurlow is an atomic bombing survivor who lives in Canada. She has been a highly visible public face of the hibakusha around the world, campaigning tirelessly for nuclear abolition and was included in the small delegation from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear ...
Commentary / World Sep 30, 2020
China balks at U.S. efforts for nuclear arms talks
Beijing perceives U.S. policy as being increasingly aggressive and aimed at containing China. Nuclear forces are seen as the ultimate guarantor of national security.