How the Paris Attacks did NOT change international relations

The gruesome attacks in Paris were framed by some as a significant change in politics, linking it to a Third World War, a “clash of civilisations“, and a possible invocation of the NATO’s 5th article. Despite all these voices stressing the huge impact, I do not see much changing for now. Continue reading How the Paris Attacks did NOT change international relations

 

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Competing for the Sea: Historical origins of the territorial dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands

When rocks become a matter of national security

The Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, including five uninhabited islands and three rocks, each smaller than 3.5 km² (Shaw 1999, 9)⁠, have caused diplomatic tensions between China and Japan for the last four decades. Most recently, an increase in Chinese vessels approaching the islands (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 2015)⁠, currently under Japanese control, as well as an increase in intercepted chinese aircrafts in the area (Japanese MoD 2015)⁠ have raised concerns about an escalation of the conflict. The declaration of an East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) by China has further caused the US to send B-52 bombers to fly through the zone (Danner 2014)⁠, a move accompanied by similar reactions from Japan and South Korea.

How did islands which China described as „economically and strategically insignificant“ in 1990 (Downs and Saunders 1999)⁠ and whose ownership was ignored by both sides until the 70s (Shaw 1999)⁠ become such a major issue in the relations between the two countries? Continue reading Competing for the Sea: Historical origins of the territorial dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands

 

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