Asia Policy Update-October

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Asia Policy Update The Bi-Weekly Newsletter from the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation   Recent Updates Getting the Philippines Air Force Flying Again: The Role of the U.S.-Philippines Alliance Washington Should Urge Greater South Korean-Japanese Military and Diplomatic Cooperation We Need Jobs; Imports Help While the Middle East Burns, the Far East Simmers Is India Embracing Market Reform? Panetta's Asia Visit Should Sort Friends from (Potential) Foes   Asian Studies Center Featured Research -----------------------------------------------------------------------Getting the Philippines Air Force Flying Again: The Role of the U.S.–Philippines Alliance By Renato Cruz De Castro and Walter Lohman The recent standoff at Scarborough Shoal between the Philippines and China demonstrates how Beijing is targeting Manila in its strategy of maritime brinkmanship. Manila’s weakness stems from the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) lack of air-defense system and air-surveillance capabilities to patrol and protect Philippine airspace and maritime territory. The PAF’s deplorable state is attributed to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ single-minded focus on internal security since 2001. Currently, the Aquino administration is undertaking a major reform to shift the PAF from its focus on counterinsurgency to its original role of air defense, an effort hindered by the perennial lack of funds. It is imperative for the U.S.— Philippines’ alliance—to assist the PAF in developing the air power and skills to spread its wings and protect the country’s territory. Click Here to Read the Full Report ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Washington Should Urge Greater South Korean–Japanese Military and Diplomatic Cooperation By Bruce Klingner Greater military and political cooperation between South Korea and Japan would protect South Korean, Japanese, and U.S. national interests in Asia. The growing North Korean and Chinese security threats to the region have motivated South Korea and Japan to cooperate more, but historical animosities and recent diplomatic missteps have constrained bilateral cooperation. The U.S. can best facilitate increased South Korean–Japanese cooperation by creating opportunities for more robust trilateral cooperation and by continuing to maintain the stabilizing force of a robust forward-deployed U.S. military presence in the region. Click Here to Read the Full Report   New! Key Asian Indicators: A Book of Charts     The 2012 version is now available! Follow the link below to access this helpful resource and get information on everything Asia—trends on political/security issues, data on Asia’s fastest growing economies, Asia’s top investors in the U.S. economy, and the real numbers on who owns the most U.S. federal debt. Click Here for more Information   China Global Investment Tracker: 2012 Download the dataset on large Chinese foreign investments: China Global Investment Tracker China's investment overseas is increasingly important to the United States and the international community. The China Global Investment Tracker created by The Heritage Foundation is the only publicly available, comprehensive dataset of large Chinese investments and contracts worldwide beyond Treasury bonds. Details are available for almost 500 attempted transactions -- failed and successful -- over $100 million in all industries, including energy, mining, transportation and banking. Click here for more information   New! The ASC Research Archive   As Heritage President Ed Feulner reminds us frequently, “There are not permanent victories or defeats in Washington, only permanent battles.”  The Asian Studies Center (ASC) has been in the analysis business since 1983.  Many of the issues, problems and ideas remain the same – and therefore, much of the insight from ASC teams past remains highly relevant to current debate.  Our bi-weekly Policy Update has begun highlighting that archived research – continuing with the following from 1983: **The Lessons of Playing Tough with China Released: August 23, 1983         About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute -- a think tank -- whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400