Report: China finalizing militarization of artificial islands

Report: China finalizing militarization of artificial islands

by WorldTribune Staff, March 28, 2017 China is close to completing a major infrastructure project on several artificial islands that will enable it to deploy warplanes that would be able to operate over nearly the entire South China Sea, a Washington-based think tank said. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), part of Washington’s Center for […]

In epic fight to be top U.S. foe, China still claims victory, despite upstart Putin’s multiple triumphs

In epic fight to be top U.S. foe, China still claims victory, despite upstart Putin’s multiple triumphs

Special to WorldTribune.com by Miles Maochun Yu, Hoover Institution,, March 28, 2017 The cadres of the global commentariat often discuss the intricate relationships among the world’s most meaningful triumvirate, namely the United States, Russia, and China. Less often analyzed, however, are the very potent and peculiar interactions between Moscow and Beijing. It is the ghost […]

China’s vice premier hails ‘unstoppable momentum’ of globalization

China’s vice premier hails ‘unstoppable momentum’ of globalization

by WorldTribune Staff, March 26, 2017 Globalization will continue to move forward, but nations still must respect one another’s “core interests,” the leader responsible for overseeing China’s economic policy said on March 25. “The river of globalization and free trade will always move forward with unstoppable momentum to the vast ocean of the global economy,” […]

Poised for war: Tensions mount North and South of Korea’s DMZ

Poised for war: Tensions mount North and South of Korea’s DMZ

by WorldTribune Staff, March 22, 2017 A massive U.S. show of force and South Korea’s deployment of the THAAD missile defense system in response to a perpetually belligerent North Korea are raising tensions – and preparations for war – on the Korean Peninsula. The arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group is reportedly part […]

Amid China-backed turbulence, Japan and Russia hold talks in Tokyo

Amid China-backed turbulence, Japan and Russia hold talks in Tokyo

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Japan and Russia have pledged closer economic and security cooperation in so-called “two-plus-two” talks as they look to end a decades-long dispute over a small chain of islands. The one-day meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo on March 20 was the first of its […]

Who blinked? Tough talk on Asia tour earns Tillerson warm reception in Beijing

Who blinked? Tough talk on Asia tour earns Tillerson warm reception in Beijing

by WorldTribune Staff, March 19, 2017 A trip to Asia that began with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson bluntly warning that the U.S. policy of “strategic patience” with the rogue regime and Chinese strategic ally in North Korea is no more, ended with Chinese President Xi Jinping hailing a “new era for constructive development.” […]

Tillerson in Seoul: U.S. has lost ‘strategic patience’ with Pyongyang

Tillerson in Seoul: U.S. has lost ‘strategic patience’ with Pyongyang

by WorldTribune Staff, March 17, 2017 “All options are on the table” in dealing with North Korea’s continued provocations, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said during a visit to South Korea on March 17. “Let me be very clear: the policy of strategic patience has ended. We are exploring a new range of diplomatic, […]

Korea is back in the eye of a perfect storm

Korea is back in the eye of a perfect storm

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Thunder clouds are swirling over the Korean peninsula as a perfect storm of political instability and regional geopolitical challenges rumble through South Korea. North Korea’s missile and nuclear tests, as well as Chinese bullying, have thrust the region into a dangerous cycle which could affect […]

Han chauvinism explains China’s fury at South Korea over deployment of U.S. anti-missile system

Han chauvinism explains China’s fury at South Korea over deployment of U.S. anti-missile system

Special to WorldTribune.com by Miles Maochun Yu, Hoover Institution China is mad — really mad — at South Korea. Well-known Chinese defense and military figures are advocating direct military strikes against South Korea; state-controlled media are fanning anti-Seoul hysteria; mobs across the country are smashing South Korean-made goods and merchandise; K-pop concerts and other South […]

U.S.-South Korean alliance under assault by a communist tag team

U.S.-South Korean alliance under assault by a communist tag team

Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, dispensing pledges like a jolly Santa Claus pulling Christmas presents from his sled, arrives today (Friday) in Seoul from Tokyo and flies the following day to Beijing. After vowing undying U.S. support to Korea and Japan, he’ll assure China that THAAD presents no […]