The National Bureau of Asian Research

10/23/2026

Emily de La Bruyère argues that the tightening of technological and industrial ties between and China threatens to erode South Korea’s long-term economic and strategic positioning. She concludes that Seoul should change its strategic calculus on techno-industrial collaboration with and consider the benefits of partnerships with the United States. https://bit.ly/4yB5btu

Emily de La Bruyère is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), with a focus on China policy, and a Nonresident Fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research.

10/22/2026

"China opposed on Thursday 'using Cold War mentality' to stoke conflict over the Arctic, after the European Union linked Beijing's cooperation with Russia in the region to security concerns."

China opposed on Thursday "using Cold War mentality" to stoke conflict over the Arctic, after the European Union linked Beijing's cooperation with Russia in the region to security concerns.

10/22/2026

Essays in an Asia Policy book review roundtable on Mia Bennett and Klaus Dodds’s "Unfrozen: The Fight for the Future of the Arctic" discuss the Arctic’s complexity; the climate, geopolitical, and economic challenges the region faces; and its future in an uncertain global order. https://nbr.org/publication/mia-bennett-and-klaus-doddss-unfrozen-the-fight-for-the-future-of-the-arctic/

10/21/2026

REGISTER NOW for NBR's 3-day executive education course on China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on December 1–3, in Washington, D.C. See the list of sessions and instructors and learn more here:
https://bit.ly/4ix99hT

SESSIONS & INSTRUCTORS:

PLA History and Strategic Culture
David Finkelstein, CNA

Party-Military Relations (The PLA in the Chinese Party-State)
Phillip Saunders, National Defense University

PRC Military Maritime Efforts vs. Taiwan: Exercises, Operations, Scenarios
TBD

Strategy and Deterrence in the Taiwan Strait
Lauren Dickey, Harman International Industries

The PLA Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force
Cristina Garafola, RAND

PLA Organization and Reform
Joel Wuthnow, National Defense University

PLA Cognitive Warfare
Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga, RAND

The PLA Information Support Force
James Mulvenon, Pamir Consulting

The National Strategy of the People’s Republic of China
John Schurtz, Allen Integrated Solutions LLC

The U.S. Factor in PRC National Strategy
Drew Holliday, Institute for Defense Analyses

10/21/2026

"In 2023 and 2024, Laos and China held joint military exercises known as the Laos-China Friendship Shield. Hundreds of People’s Liberation Army soldiers rode the LCR [Laos-China Railway] to Vientiane to participate in the exercises" | Elizabeth Cherchia https://strategicspace.nbr.org/all-railroads-lead-to-china-chinas-borderlands-strategy-of-integration-in-laos/

10/21/2026

NBR advisor Rajeswari (Raji) Pillai Rajagopalan writes, "As China’s power and self-confidence grows, it’s becoming much more active in projecting that power by establishing military bases abroad. The latest is at Ban Keun Airport near Vientiane, where China has established a joint support and training facility with Laos..."

Establishment of the Laotian base follows a pattern in China’s growing external military presence and access.

10/20/2026

"Procedure is as important as penalties. A November 2025 National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) report based on interviews with U.S. firms that had faced repeated KFTC investigations identifies a consistent set of complaints..." https://itif.org/publications/2026/10/19/south-koreas-antitrust-regime-burdens-american-innovators/

The 2025 NBR report by Nigel Cory assessed the scope and impact of the KFTC’s enforcement actions against U.S. firms, drawing on a series of interviews with several U.S. firms that have been subject to multiple KFTC investigations. Read the report here:

https://nbr.org/publication/understanding-the-impact-of-kftc-enforcement-on-u-s-firms-qualitative-evidence-and-analysis/

In another NBR publication, Cory argues that the Online Platform Fairness Bill proposed in the ROK National Assembly deepens existing U.S. government and industry concerns that KFTC enforcement lacked basic procedural safeguards and is discriminatory in practice.

https://www.nbr.org/publication/south-koreas-online-platform-fairness-bill-a-new-digital-nontariff-barrier-in-u-s-rok-trade/

KFTC enforcement data suggests de facto bias against leading American technology companies. Given this record, U.S. policymakers should demand fair treatment for U.S. firms, and South Korean policymakers should reconsider expanding the KFTC’s authority over online platforms.

10/16/2026

Christopher Clary moderated a conversation with Rajni Gamage and Bhagya Senaratne on Sri Lanka’s emerging generation of political leaders and the factors influencing their foreign policy outlooks from Colombo. https://www.nbr.org/publication/next-in-line-sri-lankas-rising-leaders-and-foreign-policy/

10/16/2026

"The United States today announced a $17 million investment to digitize operations at the Port of Colombo, strengthening one of South Asia’s busiest and most strategic maritime trade hubs.... The project will also strengthen Sri Lanka’s role in global trade while supporting American businesses, securing U.S. supply chains, and expanding commercial opportunities between the United States and ."

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10/16/2026

Ann Marie Murphy moderated a conversation with Gregory Raymond and Thapiporn Suporn on Thailand’s emerging generation of political leaders and the factors influencing their foreign policy outlooks from Bangkok. https://www.nbr.org/publication/next-in-line-thailands-rising-leaders-and-foreign-policy/