Geopolits - East Asia Archives

Trump’s Geopolitics in a 2nd Term is a Strategic Reckoning

April 1, 2025April 1, 2025

Trump’s foreign policy, outlined in the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, represents a bold shift in American power. By focusing on China and the Indo-Pacific, he aims to address what he sees as the biggest geopolitical challenge of the 21st century, believing that pulling back from other regions will be worth it.

Starlink in Bangladesh: The Intersection of Technology, Geopolitics, and Economic Goals

March 28, 2025March 30, 2025

Starlink’s impact on Bangladesh could go in different directions. In a best-case scenario, it could help close the digital gap, connecting 20 million rural homes by 2030. This would boost freelance earnings by $5 billion by 2030 and increase GDP growth by 1.5% annually. However, there is also a risk that China could respond by pulling back from BRI projects, while India might tighten border security. Domestically, Starlink’s high cost could deepen economic inequality, making internet access even more of a privilege.

The Legacy Western Media is a Tool of the Deep State Undermining Society

March 26, 2025March 30, 2025

Governance becomes untenable when media prioritizes sensationalism over facts. The Iraq War provides a stark example. Legacy media uncritically amplified fabricated claims of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), with The New York Times running front-page articles based on anonymous intelligence sources. The truth was different: UN inspector Hans Blix found no WMDs before the 2003 invasion, yet by 2004, a PIPA study showed 57% of Americans still believed Iraq possessed such weapons—a testament to the media’s influence. The consequence? Over 4,000 US troops and 100,000+ Iraqi civilians perished, while trust in Western governance eroded. By 2007, only 19% of Britons trusted their government, per Ipsos Mori.

The media’s role in exacerbating racial tensions became glaring in the wake of the 2020 George Floyd riots. While outlets like CNN and The Guardian highlighted police brutality, they largely ignored the widespread rioting that caused $2 billion in damages, as estimated by AXA Insurance. The selective narrative deepened racial divisions; a Pew Research poll found that by year’s end, 73% of white Americans felt race relations had worsened, up from 44% before Floyd’s death. Rather than fostering understanding, the media amplified discord.

How the Philippines has become a Pawn in the Indo-Pacific Chessboard

March 23, 2025March 30, 2025

The recent U.S. commitment to increasing military assistance underlines the Philippines’ dependence on American security guarantees. The Trump administration’s promise of “more significant support” for Philippine security forces comes amid growing concerns over Beijing’s aggressive posture in the South China Sea. However, China remains a critical economic partner, making it difficult for Manila to completely align with Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy without facing economic repercussions from Beijing.

Categories: America / East Asia / Indo-Pacific regions

Why ASEAN is More Important Than an Asian NATO for Bangladesh

March 15, 2025March 30, 2025

In this geopolitical performance, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue—referred to as the Quad—might find itself overshadowed. Consisting of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, the Quad was envisioned to contain Chinese rise in Indo-Pacific. However, Trump, always the unconventional director, appears inclined to bypass this group, opting instead for individual negotiations with key Pacific players such as Japan and the Philippines. Envision a series of clandestine gatherings in elegantly decorated chambers adorned with bamboo, where offerings of military prowess and economic incentives are presented like scrumptious tropical fruits. The objective? To establish a new military alliance, often likened to an “Asian NATO,” serving as a barrier against the expanding influence of China. This development unfolds akin to a captivating plot twist in a sophisticated theatrical production, holding the potential to significantly alter the geopolitical landscape of the region.

The Role of Think Tanks in Legitimizing CIA-Backed Regime Change Operations

February 7, 2025March 31, 2025

If history is any guide, these think tanks will continue to provide intellectual cover for future regime change operations. Perhaps tomorrow’s target will be Venezuela, where think tank reports have long painted Nicolás Maduro as an existential threat to regional stability. Or maybe it will be Iran again, where “experts” routinely warn about the dangers of its nuclear program, conveniently ignoring the long history of U.S. meddling in Iranian affairs. Wherever the next intervention occurs, one can be sure that a glossy think tank report will be there to justify it.

Amena’s Fight for Hope in the Wake of USAID’s Retreat

February 3, 2025March 31, 2025

Even in Bangladesh, where USAID had played a critical role in disaster relief and development, its programs were not free from controversy. Some agricultural initiatives led to environmental damage, while governance projects were accused of undermining local institutions by favoring foreign NGOs over national efforts. The 2025 funding suspension only reinforced the notion that USAID’s presence was as much about American strategic interests as it was about humanitarian assistance. For Amena and her community, the suspension is a stark reminder of their vulnerability, their dependence on the goodwill of a distant power that can withdraw its support at any moment.

Categories: Africa / America / East Asia / Indo-Pacific regions / South Asia

The Whispering Shelves in China and the Tale of Korean Peninsula

December 27, 2024April 1, 2025

The older Ji-hoon spoke again. “Your alliances fractured. Your people divided. Americans left when the stakes got too high. The North took advantage, but they did not need to invade. South Korea imploded all on its own. Politicians too busy fighting each other to fight for the country. An economy that could not sustain itself. A population too old to rebuild. The median age in South Korea hit 44 in 2024, the highest in the OECD, and it is only going up. This is what is waiting if nothing changes.”

Categories: America / China and Pacific region / East Asia / Indo-Pacific regions

Can Sazia’s Winter Reverie Forge Bangladesh’s Path Beyond D8’s Broken Promises?

December 24, 2024April 1, 2025

Despite these shortcomings, dismissing the D8 entirely would be shortsighted. The organisation serves as a platform for dialogue, fostering diplomatic goodwill among its members. Initiatives in food security and industrial collaboration, though limited in tangible outcomes, have at least sparked conversations about shared challenges. For Bangladesh, the D8 represents a symbolic connection to the global south and an affirmation of its aspirations to collaborate with peer nations.

Categories: Africa / China and Pacific region / East Asia / Indo-Pacific regions / South Asia

Perils of Weaponizing Tariffs in Global Trade

December 11, 2024April 1, 2025

Perhaps the most significant consequence of these tariffs is their potential to accelerate the decline of the rules-based global economic order. The WTO, already weakened by years of criticism and inaction, faces further marginalization as major economies resort to unilateral measures. This shift erodes the mechanisms that have historically provided stability and predictability in international trade, increasing the risk of disputes escalating into broader economic conflicts. In the absence of a strong multilateral framework, the global economy risks devolving into competing blocs, where power dynamics and economic leverage dictate outcomes.