US Institute of Peace
Director of the Asia-Pacific Program at the US Institute of Peace; former International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
PROFILE
Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt
Guest
FROM Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt
To the Point
There's Trouble in the Skies over Asia Vice President Biden has arrived in Japan today in the midst of that country's dispute over China's declaration of an expanded air defense identification zone. China's sudden declaration of an “ADIZ” over uninhabited islands has Japan and the US also flying military aircraft in disputed air space. With pilots potentially facing each other at high speeds, there's risk of a collision or a misunderstanding that could lead to unintended consequences. It's all about history and unfinished business from World War II, brought up to date by nationalism, economic competition and power politics. Is it really just between Japan and China? Has the US lost an opportunity to help forge a compromise by weighing in on the side of Japan?
To the Point
Chinese Economic Investment in Africa While Chinese President Hu Jintao is on a 12-day tour of Africa , the Pentagon has announced the formation of a new command structure focusing on that continent. Trade between China and Africa has more than quadrupled in the last 4 years. Angola has overtaken Saudi Arabia as China's largest source of oil. Yesterday, in South Africa, Hu said his country will not do anything harmful to the interests of Africa and its people, but he hasn't spoken out forcefully for human rights during his trip. Should the US be worried about China's influence in the region? Is China trying to become the new colonial power on the continent or just a helpful partner in economic development? Guest host Lawrence O'Donnell weighs the benefits and dangers of China's growing influence.
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