While US efforts to enhance stability in the Asia-Pacific region are welcome, they are inadequate to offset the rising strategic and economic uncertainty facing ASEAN member countries. Fortunately, ASEAN leaders seem to recognize this, and are working to establish a full-fledged diplomatic and economic “community” by 2015.

The recent “ice-breaking” discussions between high level cabinet members and a phone discussion between the presidents of the United States and Iran has been greeted with open arms not only by the US and Iran, but also by much of the international community. However, these talks are only the first step on a long road towards building a harmonious relationship.

The radiation leaks in Fukushima threatens not only the safety of Japanese citizens but that of participants, spectators and visitors coming to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Should the US take a role as the inspector of Japan’s nuclear facilities ahead of the Olympic Games?

Debates have been spurred over the strategies of the United States’ new Air-Sea Battle (ASB) military concept that addresses the scenario of Chinese aggression. Complications such as likely nuclear escalation may keep fighting off mainland China and lead to proxy wars that will require building strong military relationships with allies that can keep Chinese and U.S. ambitions in check.

Over the past decade, expectations have risen that India would be the next country to join the ranks of the world’s leading economic and strategic powers. However, despite Delhi’s reluctance to serve as a counter-balance to Beijing, there is little doubt that China-India-U.S. relations will be a major feature of international affairs in the coming years.

Attending his first multilateral summit since becoming president in March, Xi Jinping held a series of important multilateral and bilateral meetings at the G20. Without attracting much attention, Chinese foreign policy has been on a roll since last month’s summit.

With the crisis in Syria at the forefront of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, Tom Plate argues that China’s role in Turtle Bay will be far less predictable than the past.

Tao Wenzhao provides a brief review of the events that have taken place since the beginning of this year, showing that the two countries have reached and started the process of building a new model of major-country relations.

While US attention on China can often become unfocused due to the “crisis du jour”, Joan Johnson-Freese notes the importance of maintaining a consistent and balanced policy towards China.

The China-US relationship is the most critical in today’s world. With the continued focus on the US pivot to Asia, many question the stability of the relationship as well as the goals of the two parties. While the US and China have differences, they should not view each other as threats, but rather seek to promote and develop their relationship.