2003
Iraq Deployment Shows the East German Syndrome
Analysis by Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON (IPS) — Four years ago, the author and critic Chalmers Johnson wrote a prescient book about U.S. foreign policy that unfavourably compared Japan's postwar prime ministers to the East German leaders Walter Ulbricht and Erich Honecker.
U.S. Global Strategy Changes Asian Perceptions
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON — Has the United States adopted a new, global strategy based on the unilateral use of force that U.S. allies in South-east Asia must either accept in total or reject at the peril of becoming a target themselves?
‘Expert’ Draws Attention to Business of Counter-terrorism
Analysis by Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON — The Sep. 11 attacks on the United States and the subsequent U.S. invasion of Iraq have spawned a new industry of terrorism experts, who have made their mark by explaining their theories to the media and advising governments and corporations on how to cope with threats to national security.
Poll Tests if Premier is Independent Leader or U.S. Puppet
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, Oct 22 — On Nov. 9, Japan faces a general election for its powerful Lower House in which foreign policy will play a major role.
Trade, Currency Tensions Mask Growing Convergence
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, Sep 29 — The furore in Washington over the rapid expansion of Chinese exports and allegations that China's yuan is undervalued masks a growing convergence between the United States and China in diplomatic affairs, scholars and Asian experts say.
Economy Needs Stimulus More than Repayment of Bad Debts
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, Jun 12 — Richard Koo, the maverick chief economist for Japan’s Nomura Research Institute, is well-known for his theories that Japan’s financial crisis is caused more by corporate balance sheet problems than a lack of structural reforms at the macro level.
Chinese Actions on North Korea Show New Assertiveness
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, April 7 — Recent Chinese moves to influence events in the Korean peninsula are part of a new assertiveness in Beijing that has dovetailed with closer economic and political ties with the United States, experts on Chinese-U.S. relations claim.
Tensions Simmer Despite High-Level Diplomacy
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, May 21 — With the leaders of South Korea and Japan paying back-to-back visits to Washington to meet with U.S. President George W Bush, tensions continue to mount on the Korean peninsula over North Korea's nuclear weapons programmes and the U.S. refusal to sign a non-aggression treaty with Pyongyang.
Catfish Wars Pit Vietnamese against U.S. Fish Farmers
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, Feb 17 — Call it the catfish wars.
South Korea-U.S. Splits Deepen as Nuke Activity Picks up
By Tim Shorrock
WASHINGTON, Feb 3 — The news that U.S. intelligence satellites had picked up signs of intense activity around North Korea's nuclear power plant at Yongbyon has ratcheted up the U.S. standoff with Pyongyang another notch.
