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201. Chronology of North Korea-South Korea Relations
Journal: Comparative Connections
Institution: Center for Strategic and International Studies
Topic: Security, Development, War
Political Geography: China, South Korea, North Korea
202. China-Korea Relations
Author: Scott Snyder
Abstract: China reaffirmed its traditional friendship with a revamped leadership in Pyongyang that emerged from the historic Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) conference that re-elected Kim Jong-il as party and state leader. Kim Jong-il visited Northeast China, holding his second summit with President Hu Jintao this year. Immediately after Pyongyang's party conference, Secretary of the WPK Central Committee Choe Tae-bok led a senior party delegation to Beijing to brief President Hu and other officials. Meanwhile, China-ROK relations remain strained following the March 26 Cheonan incident, marking the lowest point in bilateral relations since diplomatic normalization in 1992. The third China-ROK high-level strategic dialogue was held in Beijing. China and South Korea also held their first preliminary round of free trade agreement talks. Beijing promoted resumption of the Six-Party Talks, sending Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs Wu Dawei to meet counterparts in Pyongyang and Seoul.
Topic: Security, Economics
Political Geography: China, Beijing, Korea
203. Chronology of China-Korea Relations
Topic: Security, Economics, Government
Political Geography: China, Korea
204. Japan-China Relations
Author: James J. Przystup
Abstract: The quarter started well. The Kan government, emphasizing efforts to strengthen economic ties with China, appointed Niwa Uchiro, former president of the trading giant Itochu Corp., as Japan"s new ambassador to China. Talks to implement the June 2008 agreement on joint development of the East China Sea began in Tokyo in late July. Prime Minister Kan and all Cabinet members refrained from visiting Yasukuni Shrine on Aug. 15. In early September, Japan began the destruction of chemical weapons left behind in China by the Imperial Army at the end of the war. The quarter, however, ended in controversy. Sparked by the Sept. 7 incident in which a Chinese fishing boat operating near the Senkaku Islands collided with two Japanese Coast Guard ships, relations quickly spiraled downward. The Japanese Coast Guard detained the captain and crew setting off a diplomatic row that led to the Japanese ambassador being called in for a midnight demarche as well as the personal involvement of Premier Wen Jiabao before Japanese prosecutors released the ship's captain on Sept. 24. China's call for compensation and an apology went unanswered as of the end of the quarter.
Topic: Economics, Government
Political Geography: Japan, China
205. Chronology of Japan-China Relations
206. Japan-Korea Relations
Author: David C. Kang
Abstract: The two highlights in Japan-Korea relations during this quarter are Prime Minister Kan Naoto"s apology to South Korea for Japan"s colonial rule, and the appointment of Kim Jong-un, as vice chairman of the Workers" Party Central Military Commission and military general in the Korean People"s Army. While these developments hold the promise to potentially change the security landscape of Northeast Asia, Prime Minister Kan"s first full quarter in office reveals that Japan"s North Korea policy is likely to continue along the lines of previous Japanese administrations, at least for now: an unfavorable attitude coupled with hostility and inaction. Pyongyang"s attitude toward Tokyo, too, changed little and remained more or less predictable – it denounced Prime Minister Kan for apologizing only to South Korea, criticized Japan for "shamelessly" wanting a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, and demanded compensation for all of Japan"s past wrongdoings. Japan-South Korea relations appear to be moving closer, although whether Kan"s apology will truly change anything remains to be seen. Japan keeping a watchful eye on North Korea"s succession At the quarter"s end, the Japanese government remained noncommittal but is apparently paying close attention to the North Korea"s power transition dynamics for signs of whether there is any possible impact on the North"s stance on either the abduction issue or its nuclear and missile programs. The Japanese media closely followed news about Kim Jong-un"s appointment as a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission in the Workers" Party, which took place a day before the party"s conference selecting "supreme leadership body." With no prior military title, little is known about Kim Jong-un, but his new position means that he is responsible for directing North Korea"s army and for formulating the party"s military policies. Along with Kim Jong-il"s sister Kim Kyong-hui"s promotion to a Central Committee"s Political Bureau member and her husband Jang Song-taek"s nomination to the number two position on the National Defense Commission, it appears that a hereditary power transfer may be underway in Pyongyang. The Japanese government made no immediate official comment, but Prime Minister Kan said on Sept. 28 that Japan will "carefully monitor the situation inside North Korea."
Topic: Security, Government
Political Geography: Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Tokyo, Korea, Pyongyang
207. Chronology of Japan-Korea Relations
Topic: Economics, Government, Politics
Political Geography: Japan, Korea
208. China-Russia Relations
Author: Yu Bin
Abstract: For much of the third quarter, Russia and China were besieged by disasters of various kinds. Leaders sent each other messages to express their sympathy and support while relief materials were delivered. Bilateral relations began to gather momentum at the end of August when Prime Minister Putin attended the opening of the Russian-Chinese oil pipeline. In September, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization kicked off its Peace Mission 2010 exercise in Kazakhstan. This was followed by President Medvedev"s state visit to China in the name of "comprehensively deepening Russian-Chinese strategic partnership relations." All of this occurred against the backdrop of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula after the sinking of the South Korea Navy ship in March and the rapid deterioration of China-Japan relations after Japan"s seizure of a Chinese fishing boat in early September.
Topic: NATO, Communications
Political Geography: Russia, Japan, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea
209. Chronology of China-Russia Relations
Political Geography: Pakistan, Russia, China, India
210. Australia-East Asia/US Relations
Author: Graeme Dobell
Abstract: In 2010, Australia saw a first-term-elected prime minister deposed by his own party and then a federal election that produced a hung Parliament. The Labor Parliamentary caucus removal of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on June 24 ushered in Australia"s first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, who waited only three weeks after replacing Rudd before calling a national election, seeking her own mandate from the voters. Instead, the election on Aug. 21 returned the first hung Parliament since World War II. The new Labor government will live on the permanent brink of defeat – fearing an MP"s heart attack, a defection, a by-election. Gillard has won the right to negotiate for her policy preferences, not to impose them. Running a minority government will demand an almost unremitting domestic focus from Gillard. She has promised a more consultative, inclusive style of politics. The Australian Financial Review summed up the difference between the two leaders with this quote from a senior ministerial adviser: "Kevin governed from a two-man tent. Julia will need a marquee." Style changes between the Rudd and Gillard governments will be marked. But policy continuity will often be the norm, especially in foreign policy.
Topic: Foreign Policy, Government, War
Political Geography: East Asia, Australia
211. Chronology of Australia-East Asia/US Relations
Topic: Security, Terrorism
Political Geography: India, East Asia, Australia
212. Table of Contents
213. Regional Overview
Author: Ralph A. Cossa, Brad Glosserman
Topic: Economics
Political Geography: Japan, Asia, South Korea, Thailand
214. Regional Overview Chronology
Political Geography: Russia, China, Indonesia, Beijing
215. U.S.-Japan Relations
Author: Michael J. Green
Abstract: The U.S. decision to rescind the designation of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism tested the bilateral relationship this quarter as the Bush administration was perceived in Japan as having softened its commitment to the abductee issue in favor of a breakthrough on denuclearization in the Six-Party Talks, which ultimately proved elusive. The Aso government managed to extend the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) refueling mission in the Indian Ocean for one year, though bilateral discussions on defense issues continued to center on whether Japan could move beyond a symbolic commitment to coalition operations in Afghanistan. Japanese domestic politics remained tumultuous as the opposition led by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) thwarted the Aso legislative agenda to increase pressure for a snap election. Prime Minister Aso's approval rating plummeted over the course of the quarter due mostly to frustration with the response to the financial crisis, prompting him to postpone the widely anticipated Lower House election in an attempt to shore up support for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Public opinion polls revealed increased interest in offering the DPJ a chance at the helm with most observers predicting an election sometime next spring. Other polls at the end of the quarter showed the Japanese public less sanguine about the U.S.-Japan alliance, a sobering development as President-elect Obama prepared to take office.
Topic: Development, Terrorism, Financial Crisis
Political Geography: United States, Japan, North Korea
216. U.S.-Japan Relations Chronology
Abstract: Oct. 1, 2008: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) becomes the world's largest bilateral development agency. Oct. 3, 2008: The Bank of Japan injects 800 billion yen ($7.6 billion) into the international financial system to prevent a global credit crunch from increasing interest rates. Oct. 3, 2008: Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill meets Saiki Akitaka, director general for Asian and Oceanian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Seoul to discuss Hill's visit to Pyongyang for discussions concerning a verification protocol for North Korean denuclearization under the Six-Party Talks.
Topic: Development, Government
Political Geography: United States, Japan
217. U.S.-China Relations
Author: Bonnie Glaser
Abstract: The U.S. and China held the 5th Strategic Economic Dialogue and the 6th Senior Dialogue this quarter. The global financial crisis was a focal point of discussion in both dialogues, as well as in the meeting between Presidents Bush and Hu Jintao on the sidelines of APEC in Lima, Peru. Beijing responded to the announced U.S. sale of $6.5 billion in arms to Taiwan by suspending bilateral military exchanges between the U.S. and China and talks on nonproliferation. China's internal debate about the international structure of power and the status of the U.S. was revived as the two prepared to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
Political Geography: United States, Japan, Beijing
218. U.S.-China Relations Chronology
Abstract: Oct. 4, 2008: Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesman Hu Changming expresses China's firm objection to a U.S. decision to sell $6.5 billion in arms to Taiwan. Oct. 4, 2008: U.S. nuclear envoy Christopher Hill briefs Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei in Beijing on the outcome of U.S.-North Korea talks in Pyongyang. Oct. 4, 2008: China's Central Bank expresses support on its website for Washington's $700 billion bailout package and calls for greater cooperation on financial stabilization. Oct. 6, 2008: U.S. Defense Department spokesman says China has canceled a series of military and diplomatic exchanges with the U.S. to protest the planned U.S.
Topic: Terrorism
Political Geography: United States, China, Taiwan
219. U.S.-Korea Relations
Author: Victor D. Cha
Abstract: The last four months of U.S.-ROK relations under the Bush administration saw the completion of a mission that helped to define the broadening global scope of the alliance as well as the final resolution of the troublesome "beef issue." Tough negotiations were completed on a new defense cost-sharing agreement and the ruling party in the ROK began the process of passing the implementing legislation for the free trade agreement. All of this amounts to President Obama's inheritance of an alliance relationship that is in fairly strong shape, but a North Korean nuclear negotiation that remains unfinished. Despite the best efforts of the U.S., Pyongyang remained unwilling to accept standard verification procedures as part of the six-party denuclearization agreement. This was despite the fact that on Oct. 11, the U.S. removed the country from the terrorism blacklist. Obama's team will need to adhere to seven key principles as it continues to navigate the labyrinth of these difficult negotiations and bolster the strength of the alliance.
Topic: Terrorism, United Nations
Political Geography: United States, Iraq, Korea
220. U.S.-Korea Relations Chronology
Political Geography: United States, Japan, Korea
221. U.S.-Russia Relations
Author: Joseph Ferguson
Abstract: As documented in this chapter during the last quarter (and over the last several years), U.S.-Russian relations have deteriorated to post-Cold War lows. Given the number of distractions over the last few months, relations stabilized somewhat in that the usual number of caustic barbs hurled across the oceans was limited. The leaders of the two nations are increasingly preoccupied with finding solutions to the economic ills affecting their respective nations and the entire world. As the Obama administration comes to office there seems to be a determination to reestablish a working relationship with the Kremlin, something that was obviously lacking during the August crisis when Russian troops invaded Georgia. President-elect Obama and future Cabinet members – as well as members of Congress – have publicly stated the need to recalibrate relations with Russia, starting with arms control.
Topic: Cold War, Economics
Political Geography: Russia, United States
222. U.S.-Russia Relations Chronology
Topic: Security
Political Geography: Russia, United States, Europe, Georgia
223. U.S.-Southeast Asia Relations
Author: Sheldon W. Simon
Abstract: Political conflict in Thailand between the ruling, rural-based pro-Thaksin People Power Party (PPP) and an urban elite coalition calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) – though actually opposing democratic elections – turned violent in November and shut down Bangkok and the capital's airports for several days. The PPP government was forced to postpone the ASEAN summit scheduled for early December because of the violence and rescheduled the meeting for February 2009 to the dismay of other ASEAN leaders. Nevertheless, the new ASEAN Charter, which provides the Association with a legal personality for the first time, was activated at a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Jakarta on Dec. 15. Southeast Asian leaders welcomed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's election as the next U.S. president although some commentators noted that the Democratic Party has sometimes followed a trade protectionist policy when the U.S. economy is in difficulty. The Democrats have also taken a tougher position on human rights. In general, though, no significant change is foreseen in U.S. policy for Southeast Asia under President-elect Obama.
Topic: Security, Development
Political Geography: United States, Thailand, Southeast Asia
224. U.S.-Southeast Asia Relations Chronology
Topic: Islam, Law
Political Geography: United States, Vietnam, Southeast Asia
225. China-Southeast Asia Relations
Author: Robert Sutter
Abstract: Asian commentators who asserted that China and its neighbors could ride out the economic crisis in U.S. and Western financial markets appeared in retreat during the quarter as the impact of the financial turmoil and recession in America and Europe began to have a major effect on China and the region's trade, manufacturing, currency values, and broader economic stability. The hope that China could sustain stable growth independent of the U.S. and Europe and thereby provide an engine of growth for export-oriented Southeast Asian countries was dented by Chinese trade figures that nosedived in November, especially Chinese imports, which fell by 18 percent. The financial crisis also dominated the discussion at the ASEM summit in October. Meanwhile, China continued to pursue infrastructure development projects with its neighbors to the south, resolved the land boundary dispute with Vietnam, and signed a free trade agreement with Singapore. Talk of a planned Chinese aircraft carrier caused some controversy, but on the whole assessments of China's rise were notably more balanced than in the past.
Topic: Economics, Financial Crisis, Reform
Political Geography: United States, China, America, Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia
226. China-Southeast Asia Relations Chronology
Topic: Security, Law
Political Geography: China, Vietnam, Southeast Asia
227. China-Taiwan Relations
Author: David G. Brown
Abstract: Beijing and Taipei continued to work cooperatively through various dialogue channels to improve cross-Strait relations. The focus this quarter was on the first ever visit by a "designated representative" of the Chinese government to Taiwan – the visit of ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin in November, when four agreements were signed. This process is gradually establishing a degree of trust in this long-troubled relationship. However, a vocal opposition minority in Taiwan disrupted the Chen visit and forced President Ma Ying-jeou to make adjustments. Despite the progress, there is still no evidence that Beijing has taken any steps to reduce its military threat directed at Taiwan. President Hu's new six-point statement and Taipei's initial reaction to it highlight the continuing gap between their positions. The global economic crisis is confronting the relationship with new challenges, the scope of which is not yet clear. Internationally, Taiwan's desire for participation in the WHO will be a test of this evolving relationship next spring.
Political Geography: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Taipei
228. China-Taiwan Relations Chronology
Political Geography: China, Taiwan, Beijing
229. North Korea-South Korea Relations
Author: Aidan Foster-Career
Abstract: The final three months of 2008 saw relations between the two Koreas continue to worsen, as they had since South Korean voters in December 2007 elected the conservative Lee Myung-bak as their next president, ending a decade of rule by liberals. Official ties remained frozen as Pyongyang media continued to heap childish insults on Lee. Upping the ante from words to deeds, but also shooting itself in the foot, from December the North placed restrictions on cross-border traffic and expelled most Southerners from the joint Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), just north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). But the end of the year brought a possible way forward, with hints from both sides that they are considering a deal where the South would pay for the release of abductees and prisoners of war held by the North. It remains to be seen whether this will fly or how soon the two Koreas can tone down the enmity stoked over the past year. Meanwhile, nongovernmental interaction continues, albeit on a far smaller scale than during the former "Sunshine" policy.
Topic: Government, Communications
Political Geography: South Korea, North Korea
230. North Korea-South Korea Relations Chronology
Topic: International Relations, Government
Author: See-Won Byun
Abstract: High-level interaction between Presidents Hu Jintao and Lee Myung-bak continues to intensify following the upgrading of the Sino-South Korean relationship to a "strategic cooperative partnership" in August of 2008. The increase in the number of meetings between top leaders is in part a by-product of the proliferation of regional forums in which China and South Korea both have membership and in part an affirmation of the rising importance of the relationship to both sides. This quarter Hu and Lee participated in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing in October as well as the G20 meeting in Washington and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Peru in November. Lee and Premier Wen Jiabao also met as part of the first trilateral meeting among Chinese, South Korean, and Japanese leaders held in Fukuoka in mid-December. In contrast, Chinese and North Korean leaders rarely meet these days, and Chinese officials confess ignorance regarding the health of Kim Jong-il despite being North Korea's closest of neighbors.
Topic: International Relations, Foreign Policy
Political Geography: China, Europe, Beijing, Asia, South Korea, Korea
232. China-Korea Relations Chronology
Political Geography: United States, Japan, China, Korea
Abstract: In early December, the Japanese Foreign Ministry released its annual survey of public opinion on Japan's international relations, which revealed that over 70 percent of the public considered relations with China to be in poor shape. The survey likewise revealed a record high, 66.6 percent of the Japanese public, as feeling no affinity toward China. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense reported increasing PLA naval activities in the waters around Japan, including the incursion of research ships into Japanese territorial waters in the Senkaku Islands chain. There were also reports that China would begin the construction of two aircraft carriers in 2009. Japanese and Chinese leaders met in Beijing in October and in Japan in December, but beyond commitments to best efforts, failed to make any demonstrable progress on food safety and sovereignty issues.
Political Geography: Japan, China, Beijing
234. Japan-China Relations Chronology
Political Geography: United States, Japan, China, Europe, Asia
Abstract: The year ended fairly quietly in Japan-Korea relations with no major events marking the last few months of 2008. Japan-North Korea relations remained stagnant and Japan-South Korea relations essentially ignored the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute, instead focusing on dealing with the widening global economic crisis. The biggest diplomatic event was the successful trilateral summit in December among China, Korea, and Japan, which may set the stage for further diplomatic movement. Whether 2009 will bring dramatic progress on these issues remains to be seen, but with new leaders in Japan and South Korea entering their first full years of rule, the continued concerns about the health of North Korea's leader, and a new U.S. president, the new year holds the possibility for progress on at least some of these issues.
Topic: International Relations, Economics
Political Geography: United States, Japan, China, North Korea, Korea
236. Japan-Korea Relations Chronology
Abstract: In contrast to the hectic third quarter of the Beijing Olympics and South Ossetia, the last quarter of 2008 was calmer for Russia and China. Their bilateral relations, nonetheless, seemed to become more substantive. The 13th annual Prime Ministerial Meeting in Moscow in late October and the 13th session of the Russian-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation in Moscow in early December provided some fresh impetus for the impasse in two important areas of bilateral relations: the long-awaited oil pipeline to China and military relations. Separately, the quarter also witnessed the final, albeit low-key, ceremony for settling the last territorial issue when Russia officially transferred to China control of one and a half islands of the disputed territory near Khabarovsk. However, the world around Russia and China was in turmoil not only because of the financial tsunami that was leaving no nation behind, but also because of regional crises between India and Pakistan as well as Israel and Palestine, and the stagnation in the Korea denuclearization process.
Political Geography: Pakistan, Russia, United States, China, India, Israel, Beijing, Palestine, South Ossetia
238. China-Russia Relations Chronology
Topic: International Relations, Development, Economics
Political Geography: Russia, China, Beijing
239. U.S.-India and India-East Asia Relations
Author: Satu Limaye
Abstract: India's relations with the U.S. and East Asia during 2008 took place amidst remarkable flux domestically, within the South Asian region, and around the world – all of which directly and indirectly influenced developments in bilateral relations. The two issues that dominated U.S.-India relations during 2008 were the civilian nuclear cooperation deal and, at the end of the year, the U.S.-India-Pakistan triangle including the issues of terrorism and Kashmir. India's relations with East Asia were quiescent during 2008. A notable development was the completion of an India-ASEAN free trade agreement, although its economic implications remain uncertain. India accentuated the positive with Myanmar as bilateral relations became more cordial while relations with China seemed to be on hold for most of the year as the border dispute remained unresolved and India responded cautiously to the Chinese handling of unrest in Tibet.
Topic: International Relations, Development, Terrorism
Political Geography: Pakistan, United States, South Asia, India, East Asia
240. U.S.-India and India-East Asia Relations Chronology
Topic: International Relations, Environment
Political Geography: United States, India, East Asia, Myanmar
Abstract: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's choice of Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and China for her first official trip overseas helped shine a spotlight on Asia as a high priority region this quarter, as did North Korean Dear Leader Kim Jong-il's announcement that he intended to conduct a satellite launch in early April. The drama surrounding the anticipated launch provided an unfortunate back drop for otherwise very positive pronouncements about intended Obama administration policies in East Asia, even if the quarter closed with only a handful of those eventually to be tasked with implementing these policies at their desks. ASEAN leaders finally held their postponed summit and celebrated the entry into force of their much-maligned Charter. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited Washington to underscore that the U.S. and Australia are still "mates," even as his reluctance to send more combat forces to Afghanistan foreshadowed the difficulty President Obama faces in getting allies to sign up for his "surge" there. Finally, economic forecasts kept being adjusted downward as Asian leaders prepared for the G20 summit in London in hopes that this would bring a turnaround.
Topic: Security, Government, United Nations
Political Geography: Afghanistan, United States, Japan, China, Indonesia, Asia, South Korea, London, Australia
Topic: Security, United Nations
Political Geography: United States, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos
Abstract: A new calendar year did little to change the tenor of Japanese domestic politics as the public became increasingly frustrated with parliamentary gridlock and the leadership of Prime Minister Aso Taro, whose approval rating plummeted amid a deepening recession. Opposition leader Ozawa Ichiro continued pressure tactics against the government and became the favorite to succeed Aso until the arrest of a close aide damaged his reputation and stunted momentum for a snap election. Aso demonstrated the art of political survival, touting the urgency of economic stimulus over a poll he could easily lose and which need not take place until the fall. In an effort to prevent political turmoil from weakening Japan's global leadership role, the government dispatched two Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyers to participate in antipiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
Topic: International Relations, Economics, Government
Abstract: The U.S.-China relationship got off to a good start under the Obama administration, putting to rest Chinese worries that a prolonged period would be required to educate the new U.S. president about China's importance. "Positive" and "cooperative" were the two watchwords used repeatedly by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her discussions with Chinese leaders, which focused on the need to deepen and broaden the U.S.-China relationship, and to elevate cooperation to address urgent global problems, especially the financial crisis and global warming. In late February, U.S.-China military-to-military ties, which had been suspended by Beijing after the U.S. sold a large weapons package to Taiwan last October, partially resumed with the visit of U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense David Sedney to Beijing. A naval confrontation between U.S. and Chinese ships took place near Hainan Island, which was quickly defused, although the underlying causes remain. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Washington D.C. in March to prepare for the first meeting between the two countries' presidents, which took place on the margins of the G20 meeting in London on April 1.
Topic: International Relations, Development
Political Geography: United States, China, Beijing, Taliban
Topic: International Relations, Security, Economics
Political Geography: United States, China, London
Abstract: The quarter ended with the question of whether President Obama's first late-night crisis phone call – the metric for leadership bandied about during the campaign – would be over a ballistic missile test by North Korea. The suspenseful end to the quarter contrasted with its quiet start where the focus of U.S.-ROK bilateral relations was on initial contacts between the Lee and Obama administration teams and policy coordination over the global financial crisis, while the North Korea missile launch issue slowly but steadily moved from a simmer to a slow boil. However events unfold, the launch itself gives the new administration its first taste of North Korean bad behavior and confronts it with the problem of finding the right balance between under- and over-reaction that is needed to move denuclearization negotiations forward.
Political Geography: United States, Washington, North Korea, Korea
Topic: International Relations, Security, Government, United Nations
Political Geography: United States, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia
Abstract: The bilateral dialogue in the first quarter of the year was cordial, if somewhat distant. The administration of President Barack Obama sent clear and positive signals to the Kremlin. At times President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin reciprocated with positive language; at times Moscow's negative rhetoric reappeared. Clearly the Russian leadership has been making a cautious assessment of the new U.S. leader. Optimism was again evident at the London meeting between Obama and Medvedev on the eve of the G20 summit on global economic issues. In London, the two leaders pledged cooperation on a variety of issues, centering on arms control. There has been nothing positive in the bilateral relationship to report since last April when then-President George W. Bush visited then-President Putin at Sochi. Since that time, the relationship has plunged to depths unseen since the Cold War. Although many observers wish to see progress (and have come to forecast it), there is clearly much work to be done to repair the rift that has developed over the past six years.
Topic: International Relations, Cold War, Government
Political Geography: Russia, United States, London, Moscow
Topic: International Relations, Security, Government
Political Geography: Russia, United States, Europe, Ukraine, France
Abstract: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Indonesia, part of her initial overseas journey to Asia, was enthusiastically received in the world's most populous Muslim country. The secretary praised Indonesia's thriving democracy as evidence of the compatibility of Islam and political pluralism. Noting Southeast Asia's importance to the U.S., Clinton announced that the State Department would begin consideration of a process to sign ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, a prerequisite for membership in the East Asia Summit. She also acknowledged that Washington's harsh sanctions against Burma's military junta had not changed that regime's draconian rule but also pointed out that ASEAN's engagement strategy was equally impotent. Nevertheless, she stated that the U.S. would consult with ASEAN in the process of reviewing its Burma policy. Meanwhile, ASEAN held its 14th summit in Thailand at the end of February. While the global economic crisis dominated the agenda, the future of a human rights commission mandated by ASEAN's new Charter proved the most contentious, with the more authoritarian ASEAN members insisting that noninterference in domestic affairs should remain the underlying principle of any human rights body.
Political Geography: United States, Washington, Indonesia, East Asia, Burma, Southeast Asia
Topic: International Relations, Security, United Nations
Political Geography: United States, Washington, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Abstract: Southeast Asian and broader international attention focused in March on the confrontation between five Chinese government ships and the U.S. surveyor ship USNS Impeccable in the South China Sea near Hainan Island. U.S. and Chinese protests and related media commentary highlighted for Southeast Asian audiences a pattern of U.S. surveillance to learn more about China's growing military presence and activities in the area, and a pattern of China's unwillingness to tolerate such actions in areas where it claims rights that are disputed by the U.S. and other naval powers. The protests and commentary provided a vivid backdrop for China's continued efforts to claim and defend territory in the South China Sea that is also claimed by Southeast Asian nations. Meanwhile, there was little good news on the economic front as China's international trade and economic interchange with Southeast Asia continued to fall rapidly. Chinese diplomatic and political attention to the region remained low during the quarter.
Political Geography: United States, China, Southeast Asia
Topic: International Relations, Security, Development
Political Geography: China, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Abstract: Beijing and Taipei have been making preparations for the third round of ARATS-SEF talks to be held in May or June at which time additional agreements on finance, flights, and crime are expected. The global recession has precipitated a dramatic decline in cross-Strait trade and that, in turn, has contributed to accelerated plans to negotiate a comprehensive cross-Strait economic agreement. However, the planning for such an agreement has produced a storm of opposition protest in Taiwan, which represents the most serious challenge yet to President Ma's cross-Strait policies. Officials on both sides are speaking optimistically about finding a formula under which Taipei could be an observer at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May. Although defense reports from both sides acknowledge reduced tensions, there is as yet no sign that Beijing will reduce the military threat directed at Taiwan.
Political Geography: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Taliban, Taipei
Topic: International Relations, Economics, World Health Organization
Author: Aidan Foster-Carter
Abstract: Looking back, it was a hostage to fortune to title our last quarterly review: "Things can only get better?" Even with that equivocating final question mark, this was too optimistic a take on relations between the two Koreas – which, as it turned out, not only failed to improve but deteriorated further in the first months of 2009. Nor was that an isolated trend. This was a quarter when a single event – or more exactly, the expectation of an event – dominated the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia more widely. Suspected since January, announced in February and awaited throughout March, despite all efforts to dissuade it North Korea's long-anticipated Taepodong launched on April 5. This too evoked a broader context, and a seeming shift in Pyongyang. Even by the DPRK's unfathomable logic, firing a big rocket – satellite or no – seemed a rude and perverse way to greet a new U.S. president avowedly committed to engagement with Washington's foes. Yet, no fewer than four separate senior private U.S. delegations, visiting Pyongyang in unusually swift succession during the past quarter, heard the same uncompromising message. Even veteran visitors who fancied they had good contacts found the usual access denied and their hosts tough-minded: apparently just not interested in an opportunity for a fresh start offered by a radically different incumbent of the White House.
Topic: International Relations, Development, Government
Political Geography: United States, South Korea, North Korea, Pyongyang
Topic: International Relations, Government, United Nations
Author: Scott Snyder, See-Won Byun
Abstract: Top-level diplomacy between Beijing and Pyongyang intensified this quarter in honor of China-DPRK Friendship Year and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Prior to the Lunar New Year holiday in mid-January, Kim Jong-il held his first public meeting since his reported illness with Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department Head Wang Jiarui. In March, DPRK Prime Minister Kim Yong-il paid a return visit to Beijing. The Chinese have accompanied these commemorative meetings with active diplomatic interaction with the U.S., South Korea, and Japan focused on how to respond to North Korea's launch of a multi-stage rocket. Thus, China finds itself under pressure to dissuade Pyongyang from destabilizing activity and ease regional tensions while retaining its 60-year friendship with the North. Meanwhile, South Korean concerns about China's rise are no longer confined to issues of economic competitiveness; the Korea Institute for Defense Analysis has produced its first public assessment of the implications of China's rising economic capabilities for South Korea's long-term security policies. The response to North Korea's rocket launch also highlights differences in the respective near-term positions of Seoul and Beijing. Following years of expanding bilateral trade and investment ties, the global financial crisis provides new challenges for Sino-ROK economic relations: how to manage the fallout from a potential decline in bilateral trade and the possibility that domestic burdens will spill over and create new strains in the relationship.
Topic: Bilateral Relations
Political Geography: United States, Japan, China, Beijing, South Korea, North Korea, Korea, Pyongyang
Abstract: Jan. 1, 2009: Hu Jintao and Kim Jong-il exchange New Year messages and pledge closer China-DPRK ties. Jan. 2, 2009: ROK Ministry of Strategy and Finance says South Korea will implement anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Taiwanese polyester yarn for the next three years. Jan. 5, 2009: ROK Unification Ministry says the current slowdown in North Korean defectors to South Korea is partly due to tightened border controls in China. Jan. 5, 2009: SAIC injects $45 million into Ssangyong and resumes negotiations with Korea Development Bank over a possible restructuring plan. Jan. 7, 2009: The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention heightens bird flu warnings after a teenager in Beijing is suspected of dying from the virus on Jan. 6. Jan. 9, 2009: China's Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue visits Pyongyang to discuss 60th anniversary-related exchanges. Jan. 9, 2009: Ssangyong Motor Co. files for court protection from creditors. The board reconvenes in Shanghai to finalize restructuring plans. Jan. 9-12, 2009: A Chinese Foreign Ministry delegation visits Pyongyang for 60th anniversary celebrations of China-DPRK diplomatic relations. Jan. 11, 2009: The North Korean consulate general in Shenyang opens its branch office in Dandong city bordering North Korea.
Abstract: The year 2008 ended with reports that China would begin construction of two conventionally powered aircraft carriers, while February brought news that China was planning to construct two nuclear-powered carriers. January marked the first anniversary of the contaminated gyoza controversy and despite concerted efforts to find the source of the contamination and the interrogation of several suspects, Chinese officials reported that the investigation was back at square one. Meanwhile, efforts to implement the June 2008 Japan-China joint agreement on the development of natural gas fields in the East China Sea made little progress and the long-standing territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands found its way into the headlines following Prime Minister Aso's February visit to Washington. In mid-March, China's defense minister confirmed to his Japanese counterpart Beijing's decision to initiate aircraft carrier construction.
Political Geography: Japan, China, Washington, Beijing
Abstract: Jan. 3, 2009: Prime Minister Aso Taro visits Issei Shrine to pray for a prosperous 2009. Jan. 4, 2009: Yomuri Shimbun reports that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will set up mechanism to protect Japan's intellectual property rights in farm, forestry, and fisheries sectors in China. Jan. 4, 2009: Sankei Shimbun reports that China has unilaterally initiated drilling in the Kashi/Tianwaitan natural gas field in the East China Sea. Japan-China Relations 114 April 2009 Jan.
Author: Ji-Young Lee, David C. Kang
Abstract: The first three months of 2009 saw Japan-North Korea relations go from stalemate to hostility, as North Korea's "satellite" launch on April 5 heightened tensions throughout Northeast Asia. As Pyongyang tried to goad its partners in the Six-Party Talks (the new Obama administration in particular) to induce more favorable terms, Tokyo took steps that may have more far-reaching implications for regional security than merely a plan to deal with the current North Korean missile crisis. Meanwhile, Tokyo and Seoul continued to focus on a practical partnership for economic cooperation and stayed on good terms. The highlight of the quarter was Prime Minister Aso's successful two-day visit to South Korea in mid-January for a summit with President Lee Myung-bak. Although historical issues lingered as a potential factor that might challenge and disrupt this mood of détente, Japan-South Korea relations improved due in no small part to the Lee administration's tough policy toward Pyongyang.
Political Geography: Japan, North Korea, Tokyo, Korea, Pyongyang
Abstract: Jan. 5, 2009: South Korea's Coast Guard says that it will build a special pier in Ulleung Island to respond rapidly to an emergency on the Dokdo/Takeshima islets. Jan. 11, 2009: Prime Minister Aso Taro and President Lee Myung-bak hold a meeting in Seoul with business leaders of the two countries. Jan. 12, 2009: PM Aso and President Lee meet at South Korea's Blue House and agree to promote bilateral cooperation. Jan. 15, 2009: Kim Hyun-hee says in her interview with Japan's NHK that she is certain that Takuchi Yaeko is alive in North Korea and expresses her desire to meet with the Takuchi family. Jan. 29, 2009: Japanese and South Korean top negotiators for the Six-Party Talks, Saiki Akitaka and Kim Sook, discuss the denuclearization of North Korea. Japan-Korea Relations 124 April 2009 Jan. 31, 2009: China's official Xinhua News reports that South Korean, Japanese, and Chinese astronomers will collaborate to build a 6,000 km-diameter radio telescope, which will be the world's largest in its scale. Feb. 11, 2009: Japan's Foreign Minister Nakasone Hirofumi meets Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan in Seoul and they agree to deepen the bilateral cooperation.
Abstract: The year of 2009, which marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, unfolded with a series of high-profile interactions. The "Year of Russian Language" in China was launched, which is to be reciprocated by Russia's "Year of Chinese language" in 2010. An oil pipeline is finally to be built from Skovorodino to northeast China 15 years after its initial conception. The two militaries were engaged in the first round of talks for joint exercises to be held in July-August. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization held its first special session on Afghanistan as it officially reached out to NATO. Meanwhile, top leaders and senior diplomats were busy coordinating policies regarding the financial crisis and growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. All of this, however, could hardly conceal a sense of uneasiness, particularly from the Chinese side, about the sinking in mid-February of a Chinese cargo ship by the Russian Coast Guard near Vladivostok. While Beijing requested a thorough and timely investigation, Moscow seemed more interested in a weapons smuggling case allegedly involving top Russian naval officers.
Political Geography: Afghanistan, Russia, China, Beijing, Moscow, Korea
Abstract: Jan. 1, 2009: The Years of the Chinese and Russian Languages (2009-10) are officially launched. The arrangement is that 2009 is Year of Russian Language in China and 2010 will be the Year of Chinese Language in Russia. Jan. 14, 2009: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) holds a deputy foreign ministerial meeting in Moscow to discuss Afghanistan.
Political Geography: Afghanistan, Russia, China
Abstract: Regional Overview:………………………………………………………………………………1 Old Challenges, New Approaches by Ralph A. Cossa and Brad Glosserman, Pacific Forum CSIS Pyongyang reverted to form this quarter, reminding everyone that old challenges would not be easily or quickly negotiated away.
Abstract: Pyongyang reverted to form this quarter, reminding the new U.S. administration that old challenges would not be easily or quickly negotiated away. Its attention-getting devices included a failed "satellite launch" and an apparently successful nuclear test, along with a promise to never, ever return to the Six-Party Talks. China and Russia, in each case after much diplomatic gnashing of teeth, joined in strongly condemning these violations of prior United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
Topic: United Nations
Political Geography: Russia, United States, China, Pyongyang
270. Regional Chronology
Abstract: April 1, 2009: Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev meet in London on the sidelines of the G20 economic summit. They vow a "fresh start" in relations and announce their intention to cooperate on a wide range of issues, beginning with negotiations on a new arms control treaty.
Political Geography: London
Abstract: Most analysts had thought this quarter would begin with the dissolution of the Lower House of the Diet and elections, but Prime Minister Aso Taro put off the election with the hope that additional economic stimulus measures would translate into increased support for his ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The stimulus package helped a bit, but Aso received a real boost when Ozawa Ichiro resigned as opposition leader in May due to a funding scandal. That boost in the polls quickly evaporated when Ozawa was succeeded as head of the Democratic Party of Japan by Hatoyama Yukio. Revelations that an aide had falsified his political funding reports for several years tarnished Hatoyama's image, but did not help Aso and the government raise their support rate beyond the low teens in many polls. As a result, most analysts continued to predict a victory for the DPJ in a general election expected in August and uncertainty continued hanging over the U.S.-Japan relationship because neither political party in Japan is likely to win a landslide – meaning another year or more of parliamentary gridlock.
Abstract: April 1, 2009: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) begins an antipiracy mission in the Gulf of Aden. April 1, 2009: The Japan Automobile Dealers Association announces that domestic new car sales fell 15.6 percent in 2008, a 38-year low. April 1, 2009: The Bank of Japan's quarterly tankan survey index (the percentage of companies saying business conditions are good minus the percentage saying conditions are bad) plunges to minus-58, a record low and a 34-point drop from the December 2008 survey. April 2, 2009: U.S.
Abstract: After the completion of the first round of "get-acquainted" meetings aimed at laying the foundation for cooperation on a broad range of issues, both the U.S. and China agree that the bilateral relationship has gotten off to a good start. While there is acute awareness on both sides of the challenges, there is a shared sense that their futures are inextricably linked and that cooperation is essential to global economic prosperity and security. The quarter opened with the first face-to-face meeting between Presidents Hu and Obama on the sidelines of the G20 financial summit in London. On separate visits to Beijing, Todd Stern, the U.S. special envoy for climate change, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi underscored the importance of combating the effects of global warming. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner traveled to China to prepare for the first round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Washington sought China's cooperation on pressing regional security issues, including North Korea and Afghanistan-Pakistan. After an 18 month hiatus, the Defense Consultative Talks were held in Beijing, giving a desperately needed boost to the bilateral military relationship.
Political Geography: Pakistan, Afghanistan, United States, China, Washington, Beijing, North Korea, London
Abstract: April 1, 2009: President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama meet in London on the margins of the G20 financial summit. April 2, 2009: Vice Premier Wang Qishan meets with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in London after the closing of the G20 financial summit. April 5, 2009: Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi talks by phone to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss North Korea's missile launch. April 7, 2009: The U.S.
Abstract: The quarter saw a plethora of provocations by North Korea, ranging from ballistic missiles tests to the country's second (and more successful) nuclear test. The United Nations Security Council responded with Resolution 1874 that called for financial sanctions and the institutionalization of a counter proliferation regime that would have made John Bolton proud. The U.S. and ROK presidents held their first summit amidst all this noise and sent clear signals of alliance solidarity. Washington exhibited the closeness of the alliance, being the only country to send a presidential delegation to the funeral of former President Roh Moo-hyun. These rhetorical demonstrations of the alliance's strength, however, cannot drown out the potential substantive setback to the alliance as the KORUS Free Trade Agreement continues to languish.
276. U.S. Korea Relations Chronology
Abstract: April 1, 2009: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s state radio accuses U.S. RC-135 surveillance aircraft of spying on the launch site on its northeast coast and threatens to shoot it down. The DPRK also vows to wage war against Japan if it tries to shoot down a missile that the DPRK says will carry a communications satellite. April 2, 2009: Reuters reports that President Barack Obama told President Lee Myung-bak that he wants to make progress on a free trade deal between the two countries.
Political Geography: United States, Korea
Abstract: President Barack Obama traveled to Moscow in early July to meet the Russian leadership, the political diarchy of President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The meetings were conducted in a cordial atmosphere, but this particular summit stood out from summits of the past two decades between U.S. and Russian leaders: there was no backslapping camaraderie or use of first names. Obama conducted the visit with a minimum of pomp and a maximum of professionalism. His job was to assess the state of U.S.-Russian relations, assess the leadership situation in Russia, and to decide on the best path to improve bilateral relations. Although most of the headlines stated that the results of the summit were "mixed," Obama seems to have achieved what he wanted and laid the groundwork for achieving normalcy in relations for the next six months or so. The most pressing issues, however, remain unresolved, and it is not clear if progress can be sustained beyond the end of the year.
Political Geography: Russia, United States, Moscow
Abstract: April 1, 2009: In London President Barack Obama meets President Dmitry Medvedev for the first time ahead of a G20 summit to address the global economic crisis. April 3, 2009: NATO holds its 60th anniversary celebration at a summit in Strasbourg, France. At the Strasbourg summit, President Obama criticizes the Russian "invasion" of Georgia, and states that "we can't go back to the old ways of doing business.
Abstract: Southeast Asia media and elites praised President Barack Obama's Cairo address for opening a new dialogue with Muslims and acknowledging U.S. transgressions after 9/11. Washington excoriated Burma's ruling junta for transferring opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to prison for violating the regime's detention law, characterizing the charges as "baseless" and an excuse to extend her incarceration beyond scheduled elections in 2010. Thai political turmoil disrupted ASEAN and East Asia Summit meetings in April. In the Philippines, this year's Balikatan exercise involved 6,000 U.S. troops and focused on responses to natural disasters. Meanwhile, the Philippine Congress is scheduling new hearings on the Visiting Forces Agreement for its alleged unduly favorable treatment of U.S. military personnel. Human rights concerns in Southeast Asia were raised again in the annual U.S. watch list on human trafficking with most of the region cited for an unwillingness or inability to stop the notorious trade. Finally, the U.S. praised Southeast Asian maritime defense cooperation in suppressing regional piracy as well as contributing to counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden.
Political Geography: United States, Washington, East Asia, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Abstract: April 1, 2009: Twelve members of the U.S. Congress urge internet giants Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo to resist Vietnam's efforts to restrict online political speech. April 1, 2009: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg says the U.S. is open to a new framework to discuss relations with Burma. April 2, 2009: U.S. charge d'affaires in Burma Larry Dinyer says Washington has so far provided a total of $74 million in humanitarian assistance to Cyclone Nargis survivors. April 7, 2009: Visiting Vietnam, Sen. John McCain calls for closer economic relations and also greater political freedom. U.S-Southeast Asia Relations 63 July 2009 April 10-12, 2009: The annual ASEAN summit convenes in Pattaya, Thailand, including meetings with the association's major dialogue partners. On April 12, the meeting is disrupted by pro-Thaksin opposition demonstrators and foreign leaders flee by helicopters and ships. April 11, 2009: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a Cambodian New Year's message cites progress in Khmer-U.S. relations over the past year including U.S. Navy humanitarian ship visits, economic assistance, and the presence of U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in 11 provinces. April 13, 2009: A group of 10 U.S. women senators urge UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to put pressure on Burma's ruling junta to scrap election plans and release Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. April 14, 2009: State Department spokesman Robert Wood characterizes the anti-government violence in Thailand that led to the cancellation of an ASEAN plus 3 and the East Asia Summit as "unacceptable" and urges political opponents to return to peaceful demonstrations.
Political Geography: United States, Southeast Asia
Author: Robert Sutter, Chin-Hao Huang
Abstract: The highlight of China's relations with Southeast Asia this quarter was continued maneuvering by China and Southeast Asian claimants over disputed territory and related economic claims in the South China Sea. Last quarter's widely publicized face-off between the U.S. surveyor ship USNS Impeccable and harassing Chinese vessels was followed by incidents and commentary this quarter that underlined China's view of an important U.S. role in challenging Chinese maritime claims in Southeast Asia. Chinese official statements and commentary and the actions by Chinese defense and security forces underlined a firm Chinese position in support of territorial and resource rights disputed by some Southeast neighbors and the U.S. Meanwhile, the pace of Chinese diplomacy picked up with economic support to Southeast Asian neighbors weathering the decline in trade and investment during the ongoing global economic recession along with visits and interaction with senior Southeast Asian leaders.
Abstract: April 2, 2009: Guo Boxiong, vice chairperson of the Central Military Commission, meets Teo Chee Han, Singaporean deputy prime minister and minister of defense, in Beijing. They agree to raise the level of military-related exchanges and visits, personnel and military training, and increased cooperation in defense consultation.
Political Geography: China, Southeast Asia
Abstract: Beijing and Taipei made significant progress in improving cross-Strait relations this quarter. In May, "Chinese Taipei" participated for the first time as an observer in the World Health Assembly. In April, the third round of ARATS-SEF talks produced three new agreements and an understanding to open Taiwan to investors from the mainland. These developments have been well received in Taiwan. The progress over the past year has produced increasing de facto dealings between government officials from the two sides. The recent precipitous decline in cross-Strait trade appears to be bottoming out, and Beijing has taken steps to help Taiwan economically. Although there is still no indication that Beijing has reduced the military forces targeted at Taiwan, Hu Jintao has called for preparations concerning a peace agreement and confidence building measures.
Abstract: April 1, 2009: Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao meet at the G20 summit in London. April 6, 2009: Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) Deputy Chairman An Min leads 7-member delegation to Taiwan. April 7, 2009: Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) releases "policy explanation" of Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA).
Political Geography: China, Taiwan
Abstract: The second quarter of 2009 saw North Korea make headlines around the world, as it likes to do. (On their leisurely train journey across Siberia toward Moscow in the summer of 2001, Kim Jong-il told his Russian host, Konstantin Pulikovsky: "'I am the object of criticism around the world. But I think that since I am being discussed, then I am on the right track.") The quarter was neatly, perhaps deliberately, bookended by missile launches. On April 5 after a two month build-up, while the world watched the preparations via spy satellites, the DPRK finally fired its long-awaited Taepodong-2 long-range missile. Ostensibly this was to put a satellite in orbit – although neither the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) nor anyone else has managed to observe any new object soaring across the heavens. Meanwhile, relations between the South and North continued to deteriorate as interaction became more caustic and the stakes higher. By the end of the quarter, the rest of the world watched again as the North launched more missiles.
Political Geography: South Korea, North Korea, Moscow
Abstract: April 2, 2009: Guo Boxiong, vice chairperson of the Central Military Commission, meets Teo Chee Han, Singaporean deputy prime minister and minister of defense, in Beijing. They agree to raise the level of military-related exchanges and visits, personnel and military training, and increased cooperation in defense consultation. April 2, 2009: Lt. Gen. Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), meets senior defense scholars and representatives from ASEAN member countries attending the China-ASEAN Dialogue 2009 to discuss deepening regional defense cooperation. April 8, 2009: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie receives Nguyen Van Duoc, vice defense minister from Vietnam, to discuss bilateral military ties and future prospects for strengthening military exchanges. April 8, 2009: Hu Zhengyue, assistant foreign minister, expresses concern over the demonstrations and protests in Thailand and expresses confidence that the Thai government will ensure safety for visiting leaders during the ASEAN Plus 3 meetings. April 10, 2009: Gao Hucheng, China's vice commerce minister, announces that ASEAN is likely to replace Japan as China's third largest trading partner in the near future. April 12, 2009: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi announces a multi-billion dollar aid and credit extension package to ASEAN countries during a meeting with the 10 foreign envoys from ASEAN member countries posted in Beijing. April 16, 2009: According to Chinese press statements, the Maritime Safety Bureau announces that it has sent at least six patrol vessels to the South China Sea in recent weeks and that such patrols are legal and within China's exclusive economic zone. April 20, 2009: Chen Bingde, chief of the general staff of the PLA, meets Tin Aye, member of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council. Both sides agree to forge close communication and cooperation to help maintain regional stability. April 24, 2009: China and Singapore sign a memorandum of understanding on education cooperation.
Abstract: North Korea's missile launch on April 5 and nuclear test on May 25 posed a test to the international community following two UN Security Council resolutions in 2006 condemning North Korea's actions. For China, the tests again highlighted the tensions between its emerging role as a global actor with increasing international responsibilities and prestige and a commitment to North Korea as an ally with whom China shares longstanding historical and ideological ties. On June 12, China voted in favor of UN Security Council Resolution 1874 condemning North Korea's nuclear test, banning sales of nuclear and missile-related technology and heavy weapons to North Korea, authorizing financial sanctions against companies involved with North Korea's missile and nuclear programs, and authorizing the implementation of an inspections regime for suspect shipments into and out of North Korea. China now must decide whether it will actively implement the resolution. As a result of North Korea's declining trade with South Korea and the international community, China's economic leverage with North Korea has grown. But it is unclear whether China will utilize such leverage given strategic concerns about regional stability and the impact on the political succession process now underway in Pyongyang.
Political Geography: China, South Korea, North Korea, Korea, Pyongyang
Abstract: April 3, 2009: Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Hu Jintao meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in London and express concern over North Korea's planned missile/satellite launch. April 5, 2009: North Korea launches a long-range ballistic missile. April 6, 2009: President Lee meets a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) delegation led by Li Changchun, chief of the CCP Propaganda and Cultural Affairs Bureau, in Seoul and calls for Chinese support in dealing with North Korea's April 5 missile launch. April 7, 2009: ROK quarantine authorities discover a banned substance in Chinese beef stock.
Abstract: Intensive high-level meetings marked the second quarter of the year for Japan and China. In April alone, Prime Minister Aso Taro met three times with China's leaders, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. Efforts to structure a response to North Korea's April 5 missile test and May 25 nuclear test dominated bilateral diplomacy. Japan's call for a strong response in the UN Security Council met with Chinese appeals for caution and restraint. Japanese efforts to begin implementation of the June 2008 agreement on the joint development of natural gas fields in the East China Sea and to resolve the January 2008 contaminated gyoza cases made little progress. Issues of history were rekindled by Prime Minister Aso's offerings at the Yasukuni Shrine and the release of movies on the Nanjing Massacre in China. The quarter ended with senior diplomats again discussing implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1874, which imposed sanctions on North Korea.
Political Geography: Japan, China, North Korea, East China
Abstract: The second quarter of 2009 saw a rapid increase in tensions between North Korea and all its neighbors, and this tension dominated relations during the quarter. In rapid succession, North Korea tested a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (which failed), a nuclear device (successfully), dared anyone to start a war with it, and then dispatched a ship suspected of carrying small arms on a route most believed destined for Myanmar. Japan led the way in responding to North Korea, introducing harsher sanctions and calling for wider international moves to punish Pyongyang. Seoul-Tokyo relations moved closer as leaders in both capitals agreed on how to react to North Korea and both leaders welcomed the Obama administration's moves for UN sanctions.
Political Geography: Japan, North Korea, Tokyo, Korea, Myanmar, Pyongyang
Abstract: Between June 14-18 Russian and Chinese heads of state interacted on a daily basis at three summits: the Ninth annual SCO summit and the first ever Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) summit (both in Yekaterinburg), and their own annual bilateral meeting in Moscow. The locus of Russian-China relations was, therefore, "relocated" to Russia. Economic issues dominated these meetings as the global financial crisis deepened. Mounting danger on the Korean Peninsula and instability in Iran were also recurring themes. President Hu Jintao's five-day stay in Russia ended when he joined President Dmitry Medvedev to watch a spectacular performance by Chinese and Russian artists in Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre for the 60th anniversary of Russian-China diplomatic relations.
Topic: NATO, Financial Crisis
Political Geography: Russia, China, Iran, India, Brazil
Topic: Financial Crisis
Political Geography: Russia, China, Moscow
Abstract: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton kept her promise and showed up at the first ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting to take place on her watch and, also as promised, signed ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) on behalf of the United States. Unfortunately, North Korean "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il also kept his promises: to ignore all UN Security Council resolutions, to shoot more missiles, and to never, ever (or at least not this past quarter) return to the Six-Party Talks. In response, Washington pledged to continue its full-court press on enforcing UN-imposed sanctions despite a few "good-will gestures" from Pyongyang. U.S. President Barack Obama also kept his promise to take significant steps toward global disarmament, chairing a UN Security Council session to underscore his commitment to this ideal. Meanwhile signs of the promised recovery of the global economy were in evidence this past quarter, with Asia leading the way.
Political Geography: Russia, United States, Asia, North Korea
Political Geography: Russia, United States, China
Author: Nicholas Szechenyi, Michael J. Green
Abstract: Hatoyama Yukio led the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to a landslide victory in the Aug. 30 Lower House election and was elected prime minister after a spirited campaign for change both in the form and substance of policymaking. Exit polls showed that the public had grown weary of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) but had not necessarily embraced the agenda of the coalition government Hatoyama would subsequently form with an eye toward consolidating power in an Upper House election next summer. Though the election centered primarily on domestic policy, Hatoyama began his tenure by outlining foreign policy priorities during visits to the UN in New York and the G20 summit in Pittsburgh less than a week after he took office.
Political Geography: United States, Japan, New York
Abstract: The inaugural session of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue was held in Washington in July, combining pomp with substantive discussions on issues of great consequence for the two countries and the world. High-level exchanges continued with the visit to the U.S. by Wu Bangguo, the head of the National People's Congress – the first visit by China's top legislator in two decades. A special meeting of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement was held in Beijing to discuss the confrontations inside China's exclusive economic zone between U.S. Navy surveillance ships and Chinese vessels that took place earlier this year. The U.S. imposed tariffs on tire imports from China, prompting Beijing to file a formal complaint against the U.S. at the WTO and launch an investigation into U.S. exports of chicken meat and auto parts. Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao met in New York and both attended the G20 in Pittsburgh. They will meet again in November when Hu hosts Obama for his first visit to China.
Political Geography: United States, China, New York, Washington


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InstitutionsEBRD, EU and GCF Foster Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in Morocco
EBRD, EU and GCF Foster Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in Morocco
London – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) – supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the European Union (EU) – is providing a financial package of up to €25 million to "Banque Marocaine pour le Commerce et l'Industrie" (BMCI) to support Morocco's green transition.
The financing, of which a total of €23.75 million will be provided by the EBRD and €1.25 million by the GCF, will be extended as sub-loans by BMCI to local citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporates for investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies, the Bank said Thursday in a release.
The new EBRD financing comes under the Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) in Morocco, which is supported by the GCF.
A comprehensive technical capacity package complemented by investment incentives, both funded by the EU, will support BMCI in the deployment of the programme. The EU considers this package to be a concrete help for companies to find and finance the solutions best suited to their transition to the green economy in Morocco.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Antoine Sallé de Chou, EBRD Director, Head of Morocco, and Rachid Marrakchi, CEO of BMCI, the source added.
This the fourth collaboration between the EBRD and BMCI. In September 2018 the Women in Business programme was the first partnership, followed by a credit line supporting green projects through the Morocco Sustainable Energy Financing Facility (MorSEFF) in February 2019, and lastly a trade finance line in July 2019.
Operating in Morocco since 1943, BMCI is a major player in Morocco's economic development. BMCI is also positioning itself as an important player in the banking sector's protection of the environment, by offering "green packs" with advantageous conditions for the financing of environmentally friendly equipment or work.
Morocco is a founding member of the EBRD and became a country of operations in 2012. To date, the EBRD has invested more than €3.1 billion in the country through 78 projects.
FAO Deplores Degradation of Land and Water Resources
UN Praises Morocco for its 'Remarkable Leadership' in Climate Action
Morocco Can Serve as Model for Water Management and Sustainable Irrigation (ICID ...
Hydrogen Markets to Change Geopolitical Map (IRENA)
Papua New Guinea: Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Hits 74 km West of Panguna
Magnitude 6.7 Earthquake Hits Off Indonesia's Banten
Government Council Adopts Draft Decree on AMEE
EU Adopts New Investment Guidelines to Perform Green New Deal
Morocco Re-elected to Council of International Maritime Organization for 2022-2023 Period
China's Hebai Deploys over 600 Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
Sustainable Irrigation: Morocco Willing to Share its Experience with African Countries (Minister)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Also, Manager and Admin can also see these courses through Team Learning pages.
10) "Business Fundamentals" still shows in "Enrolled" status.


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This could be seen in the fact that a widower will lament the loss of his wife, but not as a companion. What he normally misses is the housewife as a servant." It is interesting to note that the Albanian language has no word for "love" or "to love". As a rule, women first meet their husbands on the day they get married as a end result of engagements are all the time organized by the parents. It is only among the many highland Albanians, among the rugged mountain tribes, that one often encounters love matches because there is much less communication. But right here, too, attending to know each other before marriage is extraordinarily difficult as a end result of most of the tribes disapprove of marriage inside the tribe itself. The husband and spouse have to be of various tribes because members of one tribe see themselves as blood relations descending from one ancestor, and marriage with a blood relation, nevertheless distant, is regarded as incestuous. Thousands of women and girls have been trafficked from Albania alone to western Europe as sex slaves in the last 20 years.
As a end result, Albania now has its first generation of self-defense instructors who has already started to offer training and help to survivors of violence, as well as to women and girls usually. An illustration of that is the next incidence described by Karl Steinmetz that occurred in Nikaj. A Nikaj man was engaged to a Shoshi girl, but the potential bride fled to her married sister in Shala shortly earlier than the marriage. Her brother, as head of the household, was in a really albanian women for marriage tough state of affairs because the groom was demanding his bride and non-fulfillment of the engagement would have led to a blood feud. To clear up the issue, he seized the married sister from Shala who was on a visit to her family and gave her to the guy from Nikaj as a substitute of the youthful sister who had run away. The groom was glad with this case as a end result of he had not seen both of the girls before.
Maria, the woman who was pressured into prostitution in Greece, is following that path. The women can request a work allow and can attend training and coaching courses freed from cost, Sorensen explains.
Marriage, Fertility And Household Life
According to Olldashi, under the communist regime, the prevailing mentality was that when women married, they have been "automatically separated from hereditary rights". "The first restriction is due to the reality that in plenty of instances the immovable property is registered solely within the name of the husband or the top of household," Anastasi stated.
Many factors hinder women's and especially younger women's entrepreneurial ideas from becoming actual companies. AtRisiAlbaniawe are conscious of the importance of networking and knowledge switch from senior residents to youthful ones. By bringing inspiring and yet practical tales closer to the youthful audience, the campaign encourages younger women to take that first step in path of creating their companies. Instead of this, there are a quantity of gossip and legends regarding women and their very personal options on the Web. However , Albanian brides are among the many most receptive, zealous, supportive and fabulous women around the earth.
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Despite the progress made in recent a long time, the United Nations ranks Albania among the international locations where women face inequality, a pay gap, gender-based violence, and discrimination in the labour market. Over the previous years, AWEN has become one of many main actors together with civil society organizations in lobbying and advocating for women's rights points. Usually, lovely Albanian girls are lonely because the outcome of the reality that they can not meet a person who they want to personal. That is why Albanian bride business is the only answer the place the can meet an individual for a longer relationship in order to discover a spouse. These are all silly myths and stereotypes that exist in society.
The pandemic has posed challenges to all, and particularly to frontline workers, receiving and processing migrants. "We are there to quickly process, identify vulnerabilities and evaluate the scenario to determine the most effective referral path to protection here in Albania", she says. "Although the number of the refugees decreased during the COVID time, the health needs and the danger was much larger. They had no idea how to defend themselves, no masks, no safety at all. The fact that she is fluent in Berber, Arabic, Spanish, English, Albanian and French meant she was the highest candidate and at last found her calling.
Should you might be a sort of males, you presumably can meet Albanian mail-order brides on around the globe relationship websites and Albanian marriage businesses. In the rare circumstances of love matches within the highlands, the younger man has already visited the family of the girl and has seen her.
In The Interstices Of The City: Albanian Women In Athens
The fields in which these women have acted vary from art, science, politics and society. Women are expected to be devoted to their husbands, however married Albanian women are considered the property of their male spouses. Having daughters is less favoured within the patriarchal society of Gheg Albanians. Due to the giving of greater significance to the desire of getting sons than bearing daughters, it's customary that for pregnant Albanian women to be greeted with the phrase "të lindtë një djalë", which means "May it's a son". Albanian women are pleasant and straightforward-going, and native girls are merely beautiful. So, whenever you decide to mix tourism with a love search, chances are you'll discover a soulmate in Albania. Albania is situated at the North of Greece and all through the Adriatic Sea.
"My father would typically tell me that 'daughters are married off to their husbands, while boys are the heirs of the property' as a result of they're his offspring and they will care for him when he will get old," she added. However, despite the monetary contribution they made to the household, Entela and her married sister Ermelinda do not count on to inherit from the household estate. Two years in the past, Shpresa ended 34 years of marriage because of the continuous beatings she was subjected to by her husband. Nevertheless, activists say language stays the biggest obstacle to the combination of Albanian women in Croatian society.
Sensible Advice On Assembly Engaging Israeli Women
The women in central Albania, particularly the women in Elbasan and the close by regions, are identified to cook the candy tasting ballakume through the Dita e Verës, an annual spring pageant celebrated on the 14th of March.
Maria, the woman who was pressured into prostitution in Greece, is following that path.The price is 17381, source. Take a sip of the liquid from the bottle and swish it around for 30 seconds before spitting it out. Repeat this process 2-3 times more or until the bottle is empty. After that, toss the bottle away and take your drug test. For the next 30 minutes, the mouth should be clean of any drug metabolites. Only remember not to eat or drink anything before taking the test because this could affect your results. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a chemical produced by the glands of the marijuana plant. When you smoke marijuana, THC passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, where it is delivered to the brain and other organs. This chemical compound in cannabis causes your cerebral high by influencing parts of the brain that control movement, feelings, coordination, memory, reward, and judgment. The frequency of use, the amount of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana, metabolism, and hydration all impact drug test results. Drug testing is a good approach to keep track of your substance use. With many different drug test types available, it is important to grasp the difference between them. Here is some information about the many sorts of drug tests so you can understand your alternatives: This is the most popular drug testing method employed by companies and drug testing labs. It is non-invasive and provides insight into an individual's metabolite profile. Marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, PCP, and other drugs can all be detected using these tests. When it comes to the period until THC can be detected through urine, the numbers differ for occasional and regular users. You can test positive for cannabis in one to three days if you are a casual user. Moderate users may fail a urine drug test for 7 to 21 days. The cannabis might linger in the urine for up to 45 days in heavy users. A saliva drug test looks for drugs or alcohol in a person's saliva to detect chemicals in their system. These tests are fast and simple to perform, do not cause pain to the individual, and are inexpensive. Within minutes, the mouth swab can determine if someone has used drugs in the past 3-24 hours, but again, that window can be longer for people who use drugs frequently or for a long time. Saliva specimens offer the shortest detection window, making them appropriate for testing with reasonable suspicion. Blood tests are the most precise way to detect THC in your system, but they are also the most invasive. Blood tests are successful in tracing marijuana for 1 to 2 days. It has been discovered beyond 25 days in rare cases though. Repeated strong doses increase the amount of time it can be detected. Hair tests can detect drug usage for up to 90 days. The person being tested must have at least an inch of hair for this approach to operate. Hair tests take longer than other methods to complete. Cannabis, opiates, PCP, methamphetamines, and cocaine use can all be detected using this test. The women can request a work allow and can attend training and coaching courses freed from cost, Sorensen explains.
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Odd Folks are back, and proudly present to the world the teaser for their second full-length, Foreign Affair. The Australians kept it overseas this time around, stepping into countries like Japan, Finland, and Canada, in search of obstacles to slide on, and pockets of deep snow to plow through. Be on the lookout for the full video this coming September.
Featuring Joel Cantle, Jye Kearney, Troy Sturrock, Ryan Tiene, Harry Green, Tim Laidlaw, Rocco Rachiele, and Josh Anderson.


text:
Q: Enumerate all files of certain type from resources I have a JAR file which is included in resources section of my JNLP file. This contains lots of images in subfolders.
The user should be able to substitute this JAR file later on to add/remove images.
Is there a way to enumerate all files from the resources with, lets say .GIF as file extension or even better to specify a pattern like "images/*.gif" (so I just get images which have "images" as their parent directory).
The other option would be to write a text file that reflects the file structure. This way you can run through it line by line, image by image but this would mean you have to update two places and this is not very user-friendly.

A: Yeah you just grab the jar and move to the directory then enumerate the files inside:
public String[] getFiles() throws IOException {
   ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<String>();
   List<JarEntry> ents = new ArrayList<JarEntry>();
   Enumeration<JarEntry> e = null;

   URL jarp = getLocation();
   if (jarp != null) {
    jar = jarp.getProtocol().equalsIgnoreCase("jar") ? jarp : new URL("jar:" +                                                                                jarp.toString() + "!/");
    JarFile jarf = null;
    try {
        jarf = AccessController.doPrivileged(
                new PrivilegedExceptionAction<JarFile>() {

                    @Override
                    public JarFile run() throws Exception {
                        JarURLConnection conn = (JarURLConnection) jar.openConnection();
                        conn.setUseCaches(false);
                        return conn.getJarFile();
                    }
                });
    } catch (PrivilegedActionException ex) {
        Logger.getLogger(LicenseLoader.class.getName()).log(Level.SEVERE, null, ex);
    }
    e = jarf.entries();
    while (e.hasMoreElements()) {
        JarEntry je = e.nextElement();
        if (!je.isDirectory()) {
            ents.add(je);
        }
    }
    for (JarEntry ent : ents) {
        if ((ent.getName().startsWith(pathName)) && (ent.getName().endsWith(".gif"))) {
            String name = ent.getName().replace(pathName, "");
            list.add(name);
        }
    }
 }
 return list.toArray(new String[list.size()]);
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
in Education, Girl Child, India, Lede
Son Honours Father Slain in 26/11 Attacks by Educating Adivasi Girls
A month after this gruesome act, the Sharma family founded an organisation, Shaheed Sushil Kumar Sharma Foundation, in their hometown, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in his memory.
by Vidya Raja November 18, 2017, 10:04 am
On 26/11, Chief Ticket Inspector SK Sharma was one of the many people who lost his life in the Mumbai terror attacks. Sharma was rushing home that night to spend his son, Aditya's birthday with him. Unfortunately, he got shot and succumbed to his injuries.
A month after this gruesome act, the Sharma family founded an organisation, Shaheed Sushil Kumar Sharma Foundation, in their hometown, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in his memory. The chief aim of this organisation is to support the education and empowerment of Adivasi girl children. It now offers free education to girls belonging to weak socio-economic backgrounds, alongside a handful of courses in painting and self-defence, among others.
Aditya was a student of Class 7 when he lost his father. Speaking to The Better India, he talks about the organisation and his journey.
"I wasn't sure of what was happening and fell asleep after waiting for him to return home. I woke up at 4 a.m. and heard my mother and some other relatives crying. Even then the magnitude of what had happened did not strike me," he says.
When asked why the foundation came into being, he says,
"The one thing that we, the family, were sure of was that his memory must be kept alive by doing something that he would have liked and supported."
The Sharma family
"Creating a foundation and helping others was how we thought that could be achieved and that is why we started the organisation within a month of his death."
Speaking about the beginning, he says, "Initially the contributors were just the immediate family members. I remember we started the foundation with three children. Today, we are supporting over 350 children."
Each girl child at the foundation is taught self-defence techniques and also given adequate training in all the necessary life skills.
Self-defence class in progress
"We periodically hold various competitions to encourage the girls to do better. We want to equip them with all the necessary skills," he said.
Aditya's mother, Ragini Sharma, has personally adopted five girl children from the school and will be sponsoring their education until the very end. "One of the reasons that we adopted these girls was because of their enthusiasm and zest for life. While most other girls were shy and took time to open up, the five girls we sponsor were full of life and wanted to engage with us. Despite not having access to the best education and infrastructure, these five girls scored above 90% in their examinations. We certainly feel that they deserve to be encouraged and pushed forward," he says.
While the family has undoubtedly faced some painful and challenging times, what has kept them going is the strong bond they share with each other.
If you wish to find out more about the foundation, click here.
Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.


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Information | Science
What Is A Comet?
Science expert Emerald Robinson explains what a comet is.
Emerald Robinson: Hi! I am Emerald Robinson. In this "What Is" video, we explore comets, those unique streaks of light in our night sky that rarely visit us.
Comets are icy objects, typically ranging a few miles in size, which orbit our Sun. Their highly elliptical orbits carry them from close to the Sun all the way to the outer edges of the solar system.
When a comet gets close to the Sun, its outer layers of ice melt and evaporate creating an atmosphere of gas and dust around the comet. This atmosphere is called a coma. Radiation from the Sun pushes some of this atmosphere into a long tail. A comet's tail always points away from the Sun, no matter which way the comet is moving.
Gases in the coma and tail of a comet reflect the light from the Sun giving comets their familiar appearance. But Comets are very dark and hard to see when they aren't near the Sun.
The time between one visit near the Sun and the next is called the comet's period. The first comet whose period was known was Halley's Comet. Its period is 75 years. Halley's Comet last traveled through the inner solar system in 1986.
Comets with periods of 200 years or less are called short period comets. Short period comets are from a region beyond the orbit of Neptune called the Kuiper Belt. The Kuiper Belt is home to comets, asteroids, and dwarf planets.
Long period comets have periods of thousands or even millions of years. Most long-period comets come from a very distant region of the solar system called the Oort cloud. The Oort cloud is about 50,000-100,000 times the distance from the Sun to Earth.
Comets carry materials in from the outer solar system. Some scientist believes that water may have been brought to early Earth from a collision with a comet carrying water.


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Do you know the symptoms of alcohol-related liver disease?
Because there are several different progression stages, alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) can present a number of different symptoms. However, ARLD doesn't often present any symptoms until the liver is severely damaged.
As disease progression worsens and more inflammation and scar tissue forms in the liver, the liver will eventually begin to fail. Liver failure is a life-threatening condition which can cause serious complications, including increasing pressure in the brain and excessive bleeding in the body.


Shooting sports have always been integral to the plans for the Summit. Because the Summit is home to the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base, you can be sure it will include more than your run-of-the-mill shooting ranges.
To that end, the Summit features a world-class assortment of shooting sports ranging from those that propel projectiles via gunpowder and bow string to those that depend on human power to hit the targets.
I was fortunate enough to try all but a few of these, and let me just say they were fantastic.
Safety is also a priority at the Summit. Each shooting sport activity begins with a specialized safety briefing.
So whether you're a newbie shooter or a pro, you'll definitely find something that's just right for you. And trust me, no matter what you pick, you won't regret it.


The anticipation, the excitement, the joy and emotion that comes with photographing an expectant couple is just what I love to capture. Having photographed hundreds of pregnancy photography sessions here in lovely San Diego, I have so many favorite locations to recommend to parents that might not have a particular location in mind. I especially love to take advantage of our beautiful beaches and gorgeous nature settings throughout the county. Expectant parents are typically photographed around 34-36 weeks gestation. I recommend contacting me to schedule your maternity (and newborn combo package) session as soon as possible, as I tend to book out one to two months in advance. Maternity photography sessions are typically scheduled to begin close to sunset, to really get the most of that amazing light as the sun goes down. Those golden and colorful tones are pure magic at the end of the day!
Don't forget to check out the awesome 'Questions and Answers' section for answers to the most common questions asked about our maternity photography session and what to expect.


Bob, Leon, Hannah, Mark, Pavel, and even Haki are not just characters to me. The story you just read is not all there is. I know how they were raised. I know their hopes and dreams. And if you stick around long enough I will let you know who will die unjustly before their time and who will live a long happy life with sorrow not overcoming the joy.
Yes, I have a plan to tell their stories in future books.
When Dissecting the Hack was first released, I read it again and began to recall many of the layers that took shape in the process of writing this first story. Many of the actions of the characters are based on things I haven't yet had the chance to share with you.
In the last year as we were working on the revised edition, I had a second chance to give these characters some more depth. I used Twitter kind of like the extra material on a DVD. Directors get to bring back material that landed on the floor of the editing room. I was able to give you a chance to see some "extra content" that gives you just a little more information about the story. You could see into some of the characters' motivations and thinking.
This project was not to fool anybody or prove how clever I was. It was simply a way to keep telling a story I loved and help you better understand the people characters I already know so well.
Stick around – there are more adventure, puzzles, white hats, black hats, romance, heartbreak, danger, and heroics for all of these characters and more in the years ahead.
Remember to click on the other entries in the extras section to see the recap of the twitter feeds that directly reflect the book time line.
Just got my copy Thursday and have been reading every chance I get. Great stuff! I look forward to future books.
Can't wait for the next book. Bought my copy last Fall and have read it twice. I won't lend the book to anyone for fear of not getting it back. (Plus I want them to buy a copy to help Jayson). Can't wait to hear about the DefCon, BlackHat, B-Sides, ExcaliburCon stories that will surely surface on Exotic Liability or some other podcast.
Thanks Eric that is super cool :-) and made my day (now I just need ppl to post reviews on Amazon) ;-) Oh there will be stories but when we meet up in person I will tell you some that they won't even talk about on air :-) Thanks again I really did make this book & community for everyone and I get rewarded every time someone says that they liked it or that they learned something new from it.
Yes... I finally got my copy. I ordered the original on Amazon... and then it got pulled... now I finally got a copy of the paperback. Thanks for writing the book.