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THAAD and Strategic Situation in Northeast Asia

Editor’s Note: The US and South Korea stick with the deployment of THAAD in South Korea because of nominally countering the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea. It unleashed more chaos in Northeast Asia. Countries in Northeast Asia have involved in a fierce game concerning THAAD. It is noticeable how China, the US, DPRK, South Korea strategically calculate and respond. How regional situation will evolve is also a major concern. In order to understand the problem and improve the status quo, the editorial department of Contemporary International Relations invited experts and scholars to discuss the issue profoundly in March 2017. We now offer the readers their original viewpoints.

Globalization and the Redirection of US Foreign Strategy

HanZhaoying&JiangTan

Abstract: American foreign strategy has a strong continuity since World War II despite the fact that successive presidents have always stressed their differences from their predecessors. Donald Trump’s rhetoric during the campaign has shown that the diplomatic vision and strategic goal of US foreign strategy have significant differences between Trump and his predecessors. This article argues that the decline of relative gains and the rise of costs for American involvement of globalization leads Trump to making adjustments or even redirecting US Foreign strategy. The decline of US relative gains can be well shown by the relative decrease of US trade and the foreign direct investment in US, while security threats brought by globalization and the identity crisis of American people has tremendously increased US costs.

US Foreign Strategy; Donald Trump; Globalization; Relative Gains

Private Sectors and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Contribution, Limitation and Improvement

HuangChao

Abstract: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a general, comprehensive and transformative development agenda. The realization of the agenda needs the joint efforts by governments, civil society and private sectors. However, private sectors seek for profits, its position and contribution in the agenda remains debated. The paper analyzes that private sectors have become important force from a marginal position in the agenda. The financing system reform and 2030 Agenda’s transformation goal is the important motivation of its status ascension.The paper explains private sectors’ possible contribution in capital, action and innovation. It also points out the limitation of the private sectors in realizing the agenda goal and policy recommendations.

Keywords: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; Private Sectors; UN

Analysis of ISIS’s Outreach in Afghanistan

ChangHong

Abstract: The ISIS has experienced three stages of outreach in Afghanistan: the quiet emergency, rapid expansion and visible stagnancy. During its heyday, the ISIS Khorasan Province (ISKP) had shifted from seductive propaganda to bloody violence and killing in order to expand and consolidate its control. The absence of governance, weak national defend forces and underdeveloped economy provided fertile soil for ISIS’s emergence and dynamics in Afghanistan. However there are factors restraining its further expansion, such as Afghans’ resistance against the Jihadi-Salafism, the contradiction between Pashtun tribal traditions and ISIS violent cultures, and fierce military attacks from Afghan Taliban. Although ISKP is declining in Afghanistan, its elimination is still not feasible and it may even resurge if the ground situation in Afghanistan gets much worse in the coming years. For example, there is possibility for it to expand northward and even penetrate into Central Asian Countries. Its negative impacts cannot be neglected.

Keywords: ISIS Khorasan Province; Afghanistan; Current Situation; Future Trends

The “Multi-stakeholder” Approach to Internet Governance from the Perspective of Global Governance

LangPing

Abstract: From the perspective of global governance, the “multi-stakeholder” approach is in line with the characteristics and trends of Internet governance, representing the future tendency of global governance. “Multi-stakeholder” is a governance approach and method in general sense. In practice, given the different issues, it can have a variety of forms of expression, all stakeholders play an important role in their respective position and responsibilities; “multilateralism” as a concrete form of practice does not go against “multi-stakeholder” approach, but complement the latter in practice. We should look at the “multi-stakeholder” model rationally and objectively and avoid simply categorizing it as the “American model”. More importantly, we should not only recognize the positive side of “multi-stakeholder” approach, but also be soberly aware that “multi-stakeholder approach” has various forms of model expressions in practice, sometimes even conflicting with each other, and all we need to do is to follow the national interests to make flexible responses.

Keywords: Internet Governance; Cyberspace Governance; Multi-stakeholder; Multilateralism; Global Governance

(Edited By Zhang Yimeng)