By Charles Mautz, Chinus Asset Management During a recent visit to Jakarta, it was evident that Indonesians are optimistic. Investment managers, business leaders and taxi drivers all voiced their opinion that things are getting better and that the future is bright. Up to now, Indonesia has generally punched below its weight. It is often lumped together with … Continue reading
By Stratfor Global Intelligence Widely published satellite imagery from Feb. 14 shows the presence of new Chinese air defense systems on Woody Island in the South China Sea, highlighting continuing maritime frictions in the area. But new imagery obtained by Stratfor provides a higher-resolution view of the deployment and activities taking place across the island. Specialists at … Continue reading
The Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is interested in expanding eastward and is looking to sign a free trade agreement with Hong Kong, according to Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. “We recently concluded the free trade zone agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam and are currently negotiating with Israel. We are ready … Continue reading
By Global Risk Insights 2016 will be an interesting year for Southeast Asia, as the region braces for changes in government (or none at all), implements the ASEAN economy community, and prepares for volatility with the rising tension of the South China Sea and the increasing risk of terrorist attacks. Myanmar NLD needs to … Continue reading
By Michael Hudson A nightmare scenario of U.S. geopolitical strategists is coming true: foreign independence from U.S.-centered financial and diplomatic control. China and Russia are investing in neighboring economies on terms that cement Eurasian integration on the basis of financing in their own currencies and favoring their own exports. They also have created the Shanghai Cooperation … Continue reading
By Robert Shines With the recent IMF decision to grant China’s currency the status of reserve currency, any attempts to “contain” China are over. China has taken a major step in confirming its international economic importance and its reemergence on the world stage with the accession of the yuan as a reserve currency. The move … Continue reading
2015, what a year that was for BRICS! It will be the year to remember Brazil’s economic slowdown and turbulent political scene, China’s botched response to a rout in its stocks that gripped financial markets in mid-2015, and geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions placed on Russia. But what’s happening with other emerging markets outside the … Continue reading
By Andrew Korybko Russia is in the midst of a transformational geo-economic pivot, whereby its previous Western-prioritized economic relations are rapidly moving towards Asia. As part of this historic shift, Russia seeks to spearhead three North-South vectors of trade, with the subject of this article being the one directed towards ASEAN. The Asian Sea Arc, as … Continue reading
By Tony Cartalucci The complexity and history behind the current tensions in Asia Pacific are belied by simplistic narratives underpinned by superficial nationalism. China’s portrayal across the Western media as a regional “bully” versus its victims across Southeast Asia is dividing the general public down two sides of a predictable line. On one side are those … Continue reading
By Thierry Geiger The rise of the East will be uneven. Asia’s emerging and developing economies have coped better than most with the aftermath of the global financial crisis, growing faster than any other region in the past decade. But some are better positioned than others for further growth. This picture of diverging trajectories in the … Continue reading