North Korea recently celebrated its 68th anniversary. To celebrate, leader Kim Jong Un fired off the country’s latest submarine-based test missile, detonated a fifth nuclear bomb, and conducted a rocket engine test. The world condemned the provocative a

Who were the first people to visit North America from abroad? Scattered throughout the American southwest are signs pointing to an answer. Dr. John Ruskamp, Jr. is the author of Asiatic Echoes and has spent more than a decade reaching these early traveler

Sungju Lee is probably a name you’ve never heard before. He’s the son of a former North Korean military official, whose family fell out of favor. Relegated outside of Pyongyang, his parents abandoned him on the streets. So… how did he manage to defe

Kim Jong Un is the third leader of North Korea. Since 2012, the young leader has conducted a pair of nuclear tests, threatened the United States with war, and shown no signs of stopping what Washington calls provocative behavior. Why, and what should the

In less than two months, nearly 2,000 people have been killed in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and corruption. Rights groups oppose the extrajudicial killings and there’s even been a government inquiry into suspected abuse, but w

A month has passed since an international court handed down a verdict against Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea. Harry Kazianis, Senior Fellow for Defense Policy at the Center for the National Interest and Greg Poling, Director of the Asia Maritim

Japanese Emperor Akihito addressed the nation August 8th. He brought up concerns regarding his health and the strains of the role he was born into. He also hinted that perhaps it was time to abdicate the throne, something he’s forbidden to do. How does

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council will hold elections in September. Candidates are being required to a pledge that the Special Administrative Region is an inherent part of “one China.” Those that refuse aren’t allowed to run for office. What effect

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council will hold elections in September. Candidates are being required to a pledge that the Special Administrative Region is an inherent part of “one China.” Those that refuse aren’t allowed to run for office. What effect

After recent missile tests by North Korea, the US and South Korea have agreed to deploy a missile shield on the peninsula. Beijing objects, saying the move will hurt bilateral ties and destabilize the region. Could China be right? The Brookings Institutio