By: Sam Dantzler Early this week, the Hangzhou-based, Chinese startup, DeepSeek released its AI model causing a stir in the larger global tech industry. Historically, American tech firms have stayed at the forefront of the AI arms race. DeepSeek has disrupted this norm, however, as the company claims its model was developed more efficiently and... Continue Reading →
By: John W. Parks Following recent industrial trends, China has begun the expansion of an innovative market into the Central Asian region. Kazakh Invest, a nationalized investment company of Kazakhstan, signed agreements with two Chinese drone producers to build manufacturing hubs in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. As of January 2025, Yesil Technology Company and... Continue Reading →
By John W. Parks Thinking of Central Asia as a roundabout, or a master key, or a distribution hub of global trade infrastructure, could not be any more correct. China, Iran, and the United States have recently ramped up their initiatives to include the Central Asian states in trade partnerships. Though the Great Powers have... Continue Reading →
By Lexi Dean The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Laos this past week to discuss economic, political, and security development. Representatives and leaders attending this summit examined regional concerns such as the Myanmar civil war, cybersecurity capabilities, and free trade agreements. One of the major disputes concerning Southeast Asian nations is the... Continue Reading →
By Kevin Williams Last week China sent all three of its aircraft carriers to sea. The simultaneous sea deployment of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) demonstrates the growing capabilities of Chinese seapower. The Liaoning sailed in the Philippines Sea while the Shandong operated near Hainan island. Both 60,000+ ton vessels operated with full carrier... Continue Reading →
By Lexi Dean On Friday North Korea shared photos showing Kim Jong Un with scientists and military personnel surrounded by centrifuges used to enrich uranium. An analyst for South Korea’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies estimated about one thousand centrifuges in the photos which is roughly the number needed to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for... Continue Reading →
Written by Lexi Dean | March 25, 2024 Prabowo Subianto Indonesia’s election results were confirmed this week, officially recognizing Prabowo Subianto as the country’s new President. Mr. Prabowo will take over at the end of Joko Widodo’s term in October. The campaign that won him the election emphasized commitment to democracy and promise to continue... Continue Reading →
Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the past successes of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at a forum in Beijing; he also delivered sharp criticism against those who seek economic decoupling. The forum also saw the Chinese announce easing of investment restrictions as a way to attract more international trade.
Around Monday, September 25, Filipino divers severed a Chinese ball-buoy-barrier near the entrance of the contested Scarborough Shoal. The buoy’s placement is part of China’s policing strategy to block Filipino boats from fishing near the shoal. Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded, “what the Philippines [has] done is nothing but a farce that entertains itself. China will continue to safeguard the territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of Hangman Island.”
The Asian Games marked the first time that President Assad visited China since 2004. This visit carries special significance as Syria reenters the Arab fold as relations with its neighbors improve. The improvement of relations with both China and neighboring Arab states will likely open economic opportunities for the war-torn nation. “We believe that President Bashar Al-Assad’s visit will further develop trust and cooperation in various fields between the two countries,” noted Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.
The Patterson Journal of International Affairs 