Featured Post from Cedarville University

Is Asia a powder keg ready to blow?

Jun 16, 2020

3 min

Glen Duerr, Ph.D.


This week has seen rising tensions across Asia with key players facing off on what looks to be a dramatic rise in tensions with the potential for action.

 

First off  … Korea, where early Tuesday the first salvo was thrown:


North Korea has blown up a joint liaison office with the South near the North's border town of Kaesong.


The move comes just hours after the North renewed threats of military action at the Korean border.


The site was opened in 2018 to help the Koreas - officially in a state of war - to communicate. It had been empty since January due to Covid-19 restrictions.

In a statement, South Korea warned it would "respond strongly" if the North "continues to worsen the situation".


The destruction of the office, it said, "abandons the hopes of everyone who wanted the development of inter-Korean relations and peace settlement in the Korean Peninsula".


"The government makes it clear that all responsibility of this situation lies in the North." June 16 - BBC



 

And this incident occurred which saw gun fire traded between China and India for the first time in almost a half century:


Three members of India’s armed forces have been killed in a “violent face-off” with Chinese soldiers on their disputed Himalayan border, the Indian army has said in a statement.


The deaths are the first loss of life in the border area in at least 45 years, and come amid a renewed dispute between the two countries in recent weeks. Indian and Chinese soldiers, who often do not carry weapons in the area to avoid escalating conflicts, have brawled, detained each other and deployed forces and equipment in the western Himalayas in recent weeks.


“During the de-escalation process under way in the Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place yesterday [Monday] night with casualties on both sides,” the Indian army said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon Delhi-time. “The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers.”


It said “senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation”.


It was unclear whether shots had been fired or if the men were killed in hand-to-hand combat. Several Indian media reports cited defence sources claiming the fighting involved stones and clubs.


The Chinese also military suffered casualties, according to a tweet by the editor-in-chief of China’s state-run Global Times newspaper. “Based on what I know, Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash,” Hu Xijin wrote. He did not give further details. June 16 - The Guardian

 



 

The world seems on edge, and if you are a journalist covering these topics and you need the perspective and input of an expert who can help with your story – then let us help.


Dr. Glen Duerr's research interests include comparative politics and international relations theory. Glen is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this topic– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.


Connect with:
Glen Duerr, Ph.D.

Glen Duerr, Ph.D.

Professor of International Studies

Dr. Deurr's research interests include nationalism and secession, comparative politics, and international relations theory

International TerrorismDomestic TerrorismInternational RelationsBrexit

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Cedarville University

2 min

Three Year Anniversary of Ukraine War

Three years ago, this Monday, Russian troops invaded Ukraine expecting a a quick victory. This invasion has incited Europe's largest conflict since WWII, taking tens of thousands of lives, destruction of countless cities, and the isolation of Russia. Despite this, Putin appears closer to taking a fifth of Ukraine's territory and preventing it's membership. President Trump broke the three year long policy of isolating Russia by working with Putin to work together to end the war. President Trump's explicit support for Russia's demand against Ukraine's NATO membership reveals a shift in U.S. policy. How will President's Trump's relationship with Putin shift U.S. policy? Despite majority of the West and Ukraine seeing Russia's invasion as an unprovoked act of aggression, Putin continues to insists it's necessity for Russia's security and protection of citizens in Ukraine. In 2023 Russia momentum with offensives across a 1,000kilometer front, securing necessary territorial gains. How does the progression of Russia's invasion effect it's image for American citizens?  In response to the invasion, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy demanded Russia's retreat as a condition to talk. President Zelensky emphasizes Ukrainians need for support from the West; while stressing Ukraine goal to join NATO. How will the shift of support affect Ukraine mission to join NATO? Putin refuses a truce, hoping to weaken the Ukrainian government through a contentious election. Ukraine argues elections are not possible during war times. Putin refuses to accept international peacekeeping forces, remain confident in Russia ability to achieve its goal without negotiation with Ukraine. How will Putin's refusal to find a truce affect Russia and Ukraine's role in the war? Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing the war between Israel and Hamas – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Or schedule an interview by contacting Mark Weinstein at mweinstein@cedarville.edu

2 min

Who will be the Canadian Prime Minister's Successor

On January 6th, 2025 Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau announced his intentions of stepping down. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has be leading the Liberal Party of Canada for the past 12 years. Since his announcement of resignation there has been many prominent individuals stepping up to enter the race of being his successor. In Canada's political system the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons will act as primer minister. The successor of  Mr. Trudeau’s role as party leader will then go to general elections against the leader of the Conservative party. Elections must be held no later than October. What will the change in Prime Ministers look like for the future of Canada's government.  International relations expert, Dr. Glen Duerr, has been a reliable source on the events occurring in the Canada. Here are three valuable insights from a recent interview Earning the vote to be Prime Minister Trudeau's successor is not a guarantee of permanently keeping the role of Prime Minister. Once Canada's Liberal Party elects their candidate to replace Trudeau they will run against the leader of Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, in a general election. The winner of this election will then maintain the role of Prime Minister. How will the general election impact the Liberal Party?  Recently Conservatives and the leader of the party has been dominating public opinion polls. Experts believe that the vote in the House of Commons will cause a drastic shift in the government under a new prime minister long before the general election. Will the shift in popular opinion end the over decade long rule of the Liberal Party? Prime Minister Trudeau explains the Liberal Party will be choosing his successor through votes by the parties members, which has become a minority in Canada's population. Successor candidates include: Chrystia Freeland, Mark Carney, Karina Gould. All of whom have had a succesful political career in the Liberal Party, serving under Primer Minister Trudeau. Are these candidates enough to keep the decade long power in the Liberal party?  If you are a journalist covering the change in Canada's leadership, look no further than our experts for valuable insight and expert knowledge. Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding Canadian politics– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

2 min

What does the Israel-Hamas ceasefire mean

After 15 months of war Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced Wednesday, January 15, his in the process of receiving approval for ceasefire from his security Cabinet in order to further the truce with Hamas. This ceasefire is not only expected to stop a war that has taken more that 46,500 lives, but also the phased release of dozens of American hostages and hundreds of Palestinians. Reports reveal that the ceasefire may be in effect by the end of the week. How will American citizens respond to what appears to be a resolution to the conflict in the middle east?  International relations expert, Dr. Glen Duerr, has been a reliable source on the events occurring in the Middle East. Here are three valuable insights from a recent interview: Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs the support from his security and full Cabinet to receive approval on will be a roughly six-week initial ceasefire phase. The Israel Supreme Court has up to 24 hours to approve The Prime Minister's ceasefire. It is estimated that the ceasefire will take full affect Sunday. What can we expect in the Middle East during the wait of the ceasefire? It was announced that there will be an emergency cabinet meeting held tomorrow renegotiating the deal after Prime Minister Netanyahu's office accused Hamas on reneging on part of the of the ceasefire. However a Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri denied all accusations of Hamas reneging on the terms of the ceasefire. Is the conflict and delay of the ceasefire a prediction to the conflict that is to come? The first stage of the ceasefire will take about 6 weeks, allowing the phased release of American and Palestinian citizens. Hamas is expected to release at least 2 American citizens during the first phase and a a Senior administration official during the second phase. It is expected with each hostage released by Hamas a number of Palestinian detainees will be released. How will the phased release of Hamas hostages affect the culture of Americans?  If you are a journalist covering the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, look no further than our experts for valuable insight and expert knowledge. Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing the war between Israel and Hamas – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Or schedule an interview by contacting Mark Weinstein at mweinstein@cedarville.edu

View all posts
Powered by