Syllabus
1. Introduction of lecture, Geopolitical feature of Asia (February 17) 2.
Modern history of the region related with security (February 24) 3. Territorial disputes in Rimland area (March 3) 4.
Arms race in the region and suppliers of weapons (March 10) 5. U.S. forward deployment strategy and U.S. forces in Japan (March 17) 6.
PRC’s “Becoming a Great Maritime Power” strategy (March 24) 7. Abe’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” concept and JSDF (March 31) 8.
Tsai’s “saying No to China” and future of self-reliant defense policy (April 7) 9. PRC’s assertiveness in Southeast Asia (April 14) 10.
DPRK’s WMD and possibility of reunification of Korea (April 21) 11. Russia’s pivot to Asia and involvement of European actors (April 28) 12.
Future perspective of Asian security (May 5)
Annotation
Annotation:
In the era of increasingly intense persistent confrontation between the U.S. and China, Asian countries are struggling to maintain a balance between the U.S. and China, but there are differences in their responses, which are related to various factors such as each country's threat perception, historical background, strategic culture, and trade relations. In this lecture, while paying attention to these complex factors, I will explain the territorial issues and security concerns that could be the ignition point for destabilization of regional security in the Asian region. To do so, I also offer occasions to view the trends and status of security strategies, alliance policies, and military force development of Japan, the United States, China, Taiwan, South Korea, North Korea, ASEAN countries, and Russia as the fundamental knowledge to understand regional security architecture. The ultimate purpose of the lecture is to provide a bird's eye view of the security environment in Asia and to promote understanding of the regional security dynamics.
In particular, Xi Jinping's promotion of the "making China a maritime power" concept has brought about increased opportunities to challenge the U.S. maritime hegemony in the Asia-Pacific. Due to the increasing of China's conventional forces and economic influence, and erosion of U.S. military presence and influence in the western Pacific cannot be denied, the U.S. Biden administration has strengthened the offshore balancing approach (with Quad, AUKUS, FOIP, etc.) that unites allied and like-minded countries, but as a result, Asian countries are increasingly being forced to choose between the U.S. side or Chinese one. I will also explain the importance of multipolarization of regional security through increased involvement of Europe (but note that the UK's involvement is following the US and less impact for multipolarization).
Though my lecture, I distribute not only basic knowledge and the latest information about actual security situation in Asia (about the U.S., China, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, ASEAN countries, and Russia as major players) but also current security development in Indo-Pacific theater to overview power shift and diversifying security approaches in the region with international relations (IR) theories. It will also help students to understand increasing commitment and involvement of European countries such as France, UK, Netherlands, and the EU to the Indo-Pacific and their expected roles.