My analysis of how PM Takaichi won Japan’s election: a nationalist narrative, personal popularity and digital savvy. But lofty promises of strategic investment and national strength now face the constraints of fiscal reality and intensifying great power competition eastasiaforum.org/2026/02/15/h...

As Trump 2.0 hollows out US state capacity, the Asia Pacific must prepare for a world without US leadership

Our latest East Asia Forum editorial Japan's political house of cards: PM Ishiba clings to power despite losing majorities in both houses. A fragile equilibrium emerges #JapanPolitics 🧵 eastasiaforum.org/2025/09/01/j...

Trump is part of the problem rather than the reflexive solution to Australia's strategic and economic challenges. Australia should develop closer ties with regional neighbours and hedge between great powers rather than remain hostage to erratic US foreign policy eastasiaforum.org/2025/07/09/t...

a little late in getting out, but my latest, on the Korean election, for East Asia Forum. eastasiaforum.org/2025/06/08/s...

The Constitutional Court’s verdict to impeach ROK President Yoon strengthens democratic stability and curbs overt political instability, but internal political struggles are far from over, writes Hannah Kim. eastasiaforum.org/2025/04/11/y...

With the US making clear its desire to economically disengage from the world, the Asia-Pacific region needs to develop a collective response to a new wave of protectionism eastasiaforum.org/2025/04/07/t...

You might as well divide the numbers of apples in your kitchen by the number of bagels and use it to calculate your mortgage rate. To criticise [Trump's tariff calculations] on political or economic grounds is too generous. It operates below the level of rational thought. inews.co.uk/opinion/trum...

"Almost everything Mr Trump said this week—on history, economics and the technicalities of trade—was utterly deluded. His reading of history is upside down"

It is depressing how apt this is...

Incredible exclusive interview by South Korea's Chosun Ilbo (from Kyiv) of the two North Koreans captured in Kursk. www.chosun.com/english/nort...

New, from me: as the Trump administration begins, I try to make sense of what, exactly, DOGE is. Journalists and policymakers should be skeptical of its claim to be a govt reform commission, and more willing to see it as a form of oligarchic state capture. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/doge-dange...

YOON ARRESTED. LATEST. AND MORE COMING SOON www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Good quick over view of South Korea’s “imperial presidency,” what causes it, and why it must be reformed. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/s...

How South Korea’s president sealed his own downfall

1/ 🚨 Yoon is now out of office. What happens (or should happen) now? A thread. www.ft.com/content/12c6...

South Korea currently has a “Schrödinger’s President.” Yoon is either the president or not. Whether he holds presidential power can only be determined through impeachment.

As we begin another day of political uncertainty in Seoul, - It's still unclear who is running what in the country - No details about any power sharing arrangement that allegedly exists - We don't know the legal rationale for any such deal - The presidential office has essentially gone dark

573 political scientists in and out of Korea have written and signed a declaration calling for Yoon's immediate impeachment. I've translated it into English with Prof. Jeong Hyun Kim at Yonsei: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

573 Korean political science scholars have issued a public statement declaring that Yoon's impeachment is the only way to resolve the current situation. They have 4 demands: 1. Resubmit an impeachment motion in the National Assembly ...

Wrong headline, NYT. Should read: Impeachment Vote Foiled by Boycott from Yoon's Allies. Ruling party refused to hold the President accountable for what most South Koreans believe was an act of treason. That's the ruling party's failure -- not the opposition's.

What is a self-coup? South Korea president’s attempt ended in failure − a notable exception in a growing global trend theconversation.com/what-is-a-se...

"If the sudden declaration of martial law – the first order of its kind since the 1980s – was intended to restore his grip on power then it was a stunning error in political judgement. The fact that it was blocked within hours is a testament to the robustness of South Korea’s young democracy."

Longer analysis of how South Korea’s political firestorm also revealed the strength of its democracy. Insights from Duyeon Kim, Leif-Eric Easley, @dpinkston.bsky.social thenightly.com.au/politics/wor...

Entire South Korean Cabinet has resigned after all of Yoon's senior aides resigned earlier in the day. Yoon is almost completely alone now. Seems increasingly likely the pressure to resign may overcome him. www.chosun.com/politics/pol...

A storm in a teacup

IR Question of the Week: What is the "Second Image Reversed" and what does it have to do with Trump's reelection? A short 🧵

Trump's re-election victory and its implications for the Asia-Pacific. How the region must respond to US withdrawal from multilateral cooperation and international trade rules, a 🧵 (1/9) eastasiaforum.org/2024/11/11/m...

🧵 1/10 New Japanese PM Ishiba Shigeru faces critical challenges in managing relations with South Korea, following significant improvements under former PM Kishida. Here's what you need to know... theasanforum.org/managing-rel...

A good look at the expectations surrounding Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in managing relations with South Korea by Nishino Junya. theasanforum.org/managing-rel...