Rivalry and Territory in Asia

Here are a few recent articles that came up in the context of the recent ASEAN meetings. Each deals with rivalry and territory explicitly.

Himalayas (India and China)

Article on each territorial dispute

Main Time article on India and China rivalry

China vs. Nepal

Cultural Rivalry

Who would have thought a dress in a beauty pageant would spark an international dispute? I would have..

Pig War II

The last pig war, Austria vs. Serbia in the early 1900's...Pig War II

Reading for Rivalry

Leskiw and Valeriano reading for next week is located here

The Hensel, Diehl, and Goertz article can be found here

Our crazy North Korean Uncle

Lots of rivalry stuff in this article.

Cleaning Up the 20th Century

Asian history runs deep in the negotiations to disarm Kim Jong-il.
"History can be omnipresent or repressed in northeast Asia, but nearly everyone agrees it is festering and unresolved. Historic resentments and nationalist anger are volatile and easily inflamed, as evidenced by the outrage that followed recent comments by Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, about Korean “comfort women” in World War II. Yet, most often, that anger is compartmentalized to protect the hum of commerce. China and Japan conduct record bilateral trade even as public attitudes in both countries can range anywhere from mutual distrust to open loathing. North Korea is a bit like the crazy uncle whose refusal to stay locked and quiet in the region’s attic has forced everyone to the same table, with historic baggage and contemporary rivalries in tow."

Venezuela vs. the United States

Developing rivalry, maybe...to be settled on the soccer field.

Arms Race 2007
Venezuela Spending on Arms Soars to World’s Top Ranks

"Venezuelan military and government officials here say the arms acquisitions, which include dozens of fighter jets and attack helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles, are needed to circumvent a ban by the United States on sales of American weapons to the country. They also argue that Venezuela must strengthen its defenses to counter potential military aggression from the United States."

Complex Rivalry? US-Venezuela-Bolivia?
Venezuela Rivals U.S. in Aid to Bolivia

"Since Mr. Morales became president little more than a year ago, Venezuela has quickly come to rival the United States as Bolivia’s main patron. It has provided assistance for the army, cattle ranches, soybean cultivation, microfinance projects, urban sanitation companies and the oil industry."

It is a good thing there has been so much tension lately because the United States will be playing the Copa America this summer. Its going to be held in Venezuela so that should be fun for America's players, I hear a cell phone battery to the head doesn't hurt that much.

Domestic Politics and Rivalry

Everyone in the Rivalry class should read this and be prepared to talk about it in class this week. Also the Russia stuff including the new post. Click on the rivalry topics tab.

Iran reformists want U.S. to tone it down

"This has been a source of frustration to Iran's reformists, who dealt the president's party a blow at the polls in local elections in December but complain that the Bush administration's threatening rhetoric has pulled the rug out from under them.
"Mr. Ahmadinejad tries to make the international situation worse and worse. And now with the U.N. Security Council resolution, he can say, 'Look, we are in a dangerous position, and nobody can say anything against us, because the enemy is coming into the country.' Exactly like George W. Bush in Washington, D.C. They are helping each other. They need each other, I believe."
If Iranians perceive a foreign threat, he said, "they don't pay attention anymore to differences, and the problem they have between parties and governments doesn't matter anymore."

Russia still hates the United States

After all the news about Iraq and Iran, its good to have a golden oldie come back. Look forward to the "US-Russia Rivalry, Part II - Don't Call it a Comeback" soon on Fox News.

Putin: Washington's militarism has fostered global instability

"Russian President Vladimir V. Putin harshly criticized U.S. foreign policy today, telling an international conference packed with senior American and European officials that Washington's militarism has fostered global instability and forced vulnerable nations to seek nuclear weapons."

Putin Says U.S. Is Undermining Global Stability

By THOM SHANKER and MARK LANDLER

Published: February 11, 2007

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia accused the United States of provoking a new nuclear arms race.
“Primarily the United States has overstepped its national borders, and in every area,” said Mr. Putin. American military actions, which he termed “unilateral” and “illegitimate,” also “have not been able to resolve any matters at all,” and, he said, have created only more instability and danger."

Gates Disputes Putin’s Criticisms of U.S. Power

By THOM SHANKER

Published: February 11, 2007

““As an old Cold Warrior, one of yesterday’s speeches almost filled me with nostalgia for a less complex time,” Mr. Gates said. He paused for effect before adding, “Almost.”



Update:
Domestic rivalry stuff, as covered by the NY Times

No Cold War, Perhaps, but Surely a Lukewarm Peace
"And with presidential elections in both countries coming in 2008, it is unlikely to get better, since candidates rarely score points at home by being conciliatory abroad...The countries are now openly competing for influence in Europe, in the Caucasus and in Central Asia,where access to natural resources and military bases has become paramount for both."

Rivalry Class

Just a reminder, since I myself forgot, there is no Rivalry Seminar this week. You are responsible for a short paper on one international rivalry. Let me know if you have any questions, you may post comments with questions so everyone can get the same info. My webpage has the course syllabus which has the details for the assignment and also links to lists of rivalries. If you go off the list, it must be approved by me.

Dr. Valeriano

PS. No one is allowed to cite or use Wikipedia as a source. Use of web sources is discouraged unless you are referring to events that occurred within the last five years. You generally should cite library materials - first and secondary sources, including journal articles.

PPS. You should have at least five sources, all academic.

PPPS. You should turn the papers in by 5pm. You can slide them under my door or place them in my mailbox in 1101 BSB.

China in Space

Here are two linked articles referring to an Arms Race and Rivalry between the United States and China. We will discuss in class next week.

Chinese missile destroys satellite in space

By Richard Spencer in Beijing

Last Updated: 4:26pm GMT 19/01/2007

The Chinese authorities have not confirmed a US report that it blew up one of its own aged weather satellites last Thursday with a ballistic missile fired from the Xichang space centre in Sichuan province.

There is stony silence on the subject in the Chinese media today as concern grows in the US and in the region about the prospect of an arms race in space.

China knows how much America has to lose

By Richard Spencer in Beijing

Last Updated: 4:26pm GMT 19/01/2007

The American public may now be lulled into a false sense of security by the "been there, done that" attitude prevalent in some quarters; or it may be sent into a panic that a new communist rival is about to replace it as Top Nation. But China's leaders will not be taken in by either myth, and will instead keep a cool eye on what really matters.

Despite appearances, what really matters to China is not whether its military and its space programme can catch up with America's.

In the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a zero-sum, winner-takes-all competition for supremacy. It was conducted across all fronts: military, economic, philosophical, cultural. It was waged, at different points, in every corner of the world.

Dissertation

My dissertation is now back online, it can be found here

Syllabus 389

The Syllabus for 389, Seminar: Interstate Rivalry can be found here