http://www.nbr.org - NBR - The National Bureau of Asian Research

After bin Laden, Still No Choice for U.S. with Pakistan

The U.S.-Pakistan relationship has received renewed attention in both countries after U.S. Navy Seals raided a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, killing Osama bin Laden. C. Christine Fair, argues that the relationship leaves few options for the United States, which needs Pakistani cooperation in Afghanistan.

Japan's Evolving Role in Global Health

Forging strong domestic partnerships and sustained political commitment will be key for the future of Japan's leadership role in global health, according to Mr. Rayden Llano and Dr. Kenji Shibuya (Tokyo University). They review Japan's historical role, outline current challenges, and offer recommendations for Japan to become a more effective global health contributor.

Immunization Effectiveness

Is vaccine effectiveness dependent only on the quality of the vaccine and cold chain reliability, or more broadly on how well health systems deliver? Dr. KV Balasubramaniam explores critical aspects of vaccine delivery, arguing that more attention and resources should be devoted to improving delivery systems to ensure the full benefits of vaccination reaches those who need it most.

Rare Earth Elements and Asia's Resource Nationalism

Rare earth elements play a critical role in many cutting-edge technologies, giving China potential political and diplomatic leverage as the primary production market for these natural resources. Yufan Hao and Jane Nakano offer Chinese and Japanese perspectives on this issue and the implications of rare earth elements for Asia's resource nationalism.

The Imperative of Efficiency in Vaccine Delivery

Are vaccine supply chain systems prepared to handle the vaccines of the next decade? This thought piece argues that seemingly simple and well-run vaccine supply chain and delivery systems are in reality quite complex and that these systems will need systematic overhauling to deliver on the lifesaving potential of these incoming innovations.

2011 Energy Security Conference

Governments throughout the Asia-Pacific are sponsoring increasingly nationalistic, competitive strategies to secure access to oil, gas, and minerals. On May 4, policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders concerned with the future of Asian energy and resource markets gathered in Washington, D.C., to analyze the nature and implications of these new strategies.

After the Quake

Relief Efforts

Amidst Trial, Ties That Bind: Enduring Strength in the U.S.-Japan Alliance

Expert Q&A;

Dr. Makoto Aoki Healthcare Reform and Disaster Preparedness Planning in Japan Dr. Scott Davis Navigating Fukushima Michael Birt Another Tsunami Warning: Caring for Japan's Elderly Dr. Francesco Checchi Health Implications in the Aftermath of Japan's Crisis Adm. Thomas B. Fargo The Military Foundations of U.S. Disaster Assistance in Japan William W. Grimes Japan's Post-Quake Economic Outlook Dan Sneider Implications for Japan's Political Future

Research Groups, Centers & Chairs

Center for Health and Aging (CHA) John M. Shalikashvili Chair in National Security Studies Kenneth B. and Anne H.H. Pyle Center for Northeast Asian Studies National Asia Research Program (NARP) Political and Security Affairs (PSA) Slade Gorton International Policy Center Trade, Economic and Energy Affairs (TEEA)

The Current Vaccine Wave and Global Health

In advance of the June 2011 Pacific Health Summit on vaccines, NBR spoke with Dr. Adel Mahmoud (Princeton University) about major trends and achievements in the vaccine field over the last two decades. Dr. Mahmoud explores the impact of, and challenges surrounding, new vaccines, including pricing policies, financial structures, and the increasingly prominent role of emerging market manufacturers.

Taiwan's Future: Narrowing Straits

Using a cost-benefit approach, Robert Sutter argues in this issue of the NBR Analysis that though cross-strait relations are on the upswing, by forging deeper relations with China, Taiwan may be losing its freedom of action and giving itself little choice beyond continued accommodation of China’s increasing leverage.

Delivering on the Promise of Vaccines

How can we simplify the path and reduce the time it takes to bring effective vaccines from the lab to the clinic? Dr. Seth Berkley, President and Founder of IAVI and incoming CEO of the GAVI Alliance, posits that concerted efforts in information-sharing, leveraging emerging economies’ capacity, and expanding financing mechanisms are critical for success.

Healthcare Reform and Disaster Preparedness Planning in Japan

NBR spoke with Dr. Makoto Aoki about Japan’s healthcare needs and care coordination for affected populations following the March 11, 2011 crisis. Dr. Aoki explains that many of the challenges encountered in relief and recovery efforts point to core issues in Japan’s healthcare system and disaster preparedness planning, both of which he feels would benefit from reform.

A Pivotal Moment for China & Vaccine Manufacturing

In advance of the June 2011 Pacific Health Summit on vaccines, NBR spoke with Dr. Jiankang Zhang (PATH) about China’s vaccine industry and international engagement, and the implications of WHO "pre-qualification" of China’s national regulatory system for vaccines, which allows Chinese manufactured vaccines to compete for UN tenders.

Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV

A collection of thoughtful voices from leaders across sectors explores the key successes and challenges, and potential of partnerships in promoting the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). The discussion originally took place at a workshop of the 2010 Pacific Health Summit on Maternal and Newborn Health.

2011 Pacific Energy Summit Report

Main findings from the 2011 Pacific Energy Summit “Unlocking the Potential of Natural Gas in the Asia-Pacific” are summarized in the 2011 Summit report. World leaders in science, policy, and industry convened in Jakarta in February to explore ways to address energy security and climate change challenges and build confidence in market solutions. Learn more and access the report.

Toward a New Chinese Order in Asia: Russia's Failure

Will Russia eventually become China’s junior partner and supplier of raw materials, rather than an independent power in Asia? National Asia Research Associate Stephen Blank (U.S. Army War College) contends that Russia’s political and economic failure to develop the RFE has undermined its quest for stable great-power status in Asia. Read the full report.

Emerging Market Economies, Global Trade Imbalances, and the U.S. Dollar

Global imbalances were among the issues addressed at recent high-level meetings of IMF, World Bank, and G-20 finance ministers. This interview with Pieter Bottelier offers insights on the significance of the meetings for developing economies in Asia and the desire of emerging market economies for an international financial system that is less dependent on the currency of a single country.

PLA Lessons from Foreign Conflicts

The most recent PLA Conference examined lessons the PLA has drawn from conflicts around the world and how those lessons might be applied to modern PLA tactics, doctrines, and intentions. Read the key insights of the conference in the 2010 PLA Conference Colloquium Brief.

The 112th Congress and Post-Crisis Asia

Edward Gresser and Daniel Twining examine the 112th Congress and the key policy issues in Asia that it will face—the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, risk of war on the Korean Peninsula, calls for changes in policy toward China, funding appropriations for Afghanistan, and the U.S. role in regional security in light of the nation's financial standing.

Strategic Asia 2010-11: Asia’s Rising Power and America’s Continued Purpose

The tenth anniversary edition of NBR’s Strategic Asia series takes stock of the Strategic Asia region by providing an integrated perspective on the major issues that influence stability in the region. Leading experts examine Asia’s performance in nine key functional areas to provide a continent-wide net assessment of the core trends and issues affecting the region.

Securing a Living Legacy

The Slade Gorton International Policy Center will be the living legacy of Senator Gorton's extraordinary contributions to the nation and Washington State. It will be a fitting tribute to a man generations admire for his intellect, integrity, and leadership, and will provide tangible ways to carry on his dedicated and effective public service.

To learn more about Senator Slade Gorton’s legacy and the upcoming Gorton Center visit the Slade Gorton International Policy Center website.