The already tense atmosphere in the East China Sea ratcheted up a notch when China declared a new air defense identification zone, writes Margaret Lewis, and the political realities of this increasingly tough neighborhood are frightening.

Li Zhaoxian writes that the interim agreement on Iran does not bode well for a fundamental change in US-Iran relations, and that the eventual resolution of the nuclear issue will likely remain an extravagant hope.

Reflecting on Vice President Joe Biden’s trip to Asia, Stephen Harner analyzes the success of the Vice President’s diplomatic overtures and argues that a “commitment to action and adjustment” is necessary to continue building relations in the region.

Following Vice President Joe Biden’s trip to Beijing, Wang Wenfeng reflects upon the US perception of China’s newly-established Air Defense Identification Zone and lays out four positive signals from the visit.

While Vice President Joe Biden’s trip to Asia began with trepidation, Yang Xiyu points out that constructive discourse and a close relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping allowed both leaders to focus on cooperation, rather than confrontation.

The title of this essay is taken from what the US Vice President Joe Biden addressed when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on December 4, 2013. If this was what meant, it looks that the VP and the US are getting more mature. Even if this didn't tell all truth, it still illustrated where the US was acceptable, as the sole superpower in the world, in dealing with all sorts of delicate international issues, writes Shen Dingli.

China, US are obliged to deepen cooperation and intensify exchanges to build a new model of major-country relations, writes Shen Dingli.

Japan’s viewpoints on history, international law and Asia are in direct contravention of contemporary international law, writes Liu Junhong.

Analyzing the 1943 Cairo Declaration, Greg Austin argues that China’s outrage over the disputed islands is rooted in this document signed 70 years ago and driving its foreign policy. To ease tensions in the region, both China and Japan must come to the table and acknowledge the high emotions surrounding the dispute.

Focusing on America’s confident assertion of “exceptionalism,” Stephen Harner examines a recent address by National Security Advisor Susan Rice and points out how American exceptionalism is in direct conflict with Asian society and culture, threatening future cooperation in the region.