In this interview, Mr John West discusses the future of Asia in the 21st century with AIIA WA’s Flavia Bellieni Zimmermann.
Mr John West is adjunct professor at Tokyo’s Sophia University and executive director of the Asian Century Institute. His recent book “Asian Century … on a Knife-Edge” was reviewed in Australian Outlook.
Australia has engaged economically with Asia since Indigenous times, but two World Wars and a Great Depression stunted progress in the early twentieth century. Post-World War II, Australia started to realise its economic future lay in the Asia-Pacific region, as economic development lifted millions of people out of poverty and created lucrative export markets for Australia. In terms of governing this transition, both sides of politics played a role.
If handled properly, negotiations between the US and the Taliban could potentially broker a lasting peace in Afghanistan.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has appointed his sister Kim Yo Jong to a position of power, further solidifying the family dynasty and signalling that he is here to stay.
