Prof. Michael Byers discusses Russia, the ISS and space warfare with Dr. Aaron Boley in Op-Ed
In this Op-Ed, Prof. Byers & Dr. Boley examine the consequences of Russia’s threats of leaving the ISS, and their willingness to strike space targets. “International co-operation in space matters,” they write. “If it stops, all bets are off.”
Visiting Prof. Swaran Singh writes on the “strategic ambiguity” of the Biden-Xi relationship
Prof. Swaran Singh highlighted the implications of “enduring uncertainties and anxieties” between two of the world’s most powerful leaders, and the consequences of their glamorous personalities. “Short-term gains often dictate strategies of being active without being productive,” wrote Singh.
Prof. Michael Byers comments on the significance of Russia’s announcement to depart from the International Space Station
“It’s a non-story in my view,” wrote Prof. Michael Byers, commenting on Russia’s decision to withdraw from the International Space Station. Byers argues that it’s most likely a public relations move more than anything.
Is Canada’s Gazprom maneuver a sign of war fatigue? Visiting Prof. Swaran Singh writes on Canada’s difficult decision
“At the very least, this concession to Gazprom brings Canada back into the global spotlight,” writes Prof. Singh. Canada’s choice to continue with use of Russian turbines has been controversial, and considering the length of the Ukraine-Russia war, may be a sign of crisis fatigue.
Russia’s war is with the rise of Western values, and not just NATO, says Prof. Lisa Sundstrom
With Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina recently coming out as gay, and also condemning the war in Ukraine, the Russian government targeting those in the LGBTQ+ community may be “a good way to kind of change the channel to seek out an alternative enemy,” says Prof. Sundstrom.
Prof. Yves Tiberghien and Christina Song: South Korea’s foreign policy faces many challenges
South Korea’s recently-elected President Yoon Suk-yeol “faces the same challenge his predecessor faced — balancing the dual demands of trade relations with China and security alignment with the United States,” write Song and Prof. Tiberghien.
Prof. Yves Tiberghien and Prof. Fuma Aoki write on the state of Japan’s borders and travel amidst COVID-19
“Depending on how the seventh COVID-19 wave develops, [Prime Minister Fumio Kishida] may soon gain the political room to open Japan’s borders more widely,” write Prof. Tiberghien and Prof. Aoki. The two UBC professors discuss the popularity of restriction-easing policies in Japan, and the consequences of their precautionary measures.
Visiting Professor Swaran Singh writes on the bold promises of new ‘West Asian Quad’ I2U2
The I2U2 Group comprising India, Israel, the UAE and the US, held their inaugural online summit this month. Visiting Professor Swaran Singh writes on how their new template for international relations could tackle unfolding challenges.
Prof. Yves Tiberghien on the assassination of former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: “this is not the Japan we know”
Expressing his deepest sympathies to the Abe family and the Japanese people, Prof. Yves Tiberghien noted former PM Shinzo Abe’s influence on Japanese politics during and after his leadership, as well as what this tragedy means to Japan’s current political climate.
Prof. Xiaojun Li’s new book Fragmenting Globalization
In their new book Fragmenting Globalization: The Politics of Preferential Trade Liberalization in China and the United States, Profs. Xiaojun Li and Ka Zeng shed light on the influence of global supply chain integration on domestic and international trade policy, as well as support for preferential trade liberalization.