After half a century of isolation, Myanmar’s seeks to sustain its reform momentum. It is a challenging balancing act amidst Chinese rebalancing and America’s pivot to Southeast Asia.

Following a recent visit to China, Doug Bandow recounts a conversation with a colleague about instability in North Korea and how it affects U.S.-China relations.

As the United States continues its push into the Asia-Pacific and furthers its pivot or rebalance to the region, Chen Xiangyang urges U.S. policymakers to rethink their China-focused pivot in light of recent international developments.

As the relationship between China and the United States remains the most important bilateral relationship in the world, Tom Watkins explores the way academic institutions and think tanks have shaped the Western perception of China.

Regional tensions in Asia have precipitously increased as disputes in the South China Sea continue to grow. While Zhai Kun notes that the current escalation is controllable, future conflicts cannot be ruled out.

Can the United States and China continue to build mutual trust through increased military exchanges? According to Wu Zurong, recent developments have boosted military-to-military relations between the two countries, but more must be done to reaffirm US claims that it has no intention of containing China.

Japan and the United States are competing for a dominant role in the Asia-Pacific, as the negotiations over the TPP ad the new Japan-US defense guidelines inflame tensions in the bilateral relationship, writes Liu Junhong.

Threat perception is leading to a security crisis in East Asia. Zhang Tuosheng suggests six steps for reducing misperceptions and stemming the crisis.

As heads of state from across Africa convene in Washington, D.C. this week for the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, Robert Rotberg discusses the uphill battle the United States has to gain influence on a continent where China has a dominant foothold.

How can the Obama administration improve U.S.-China relations while applying greater pressure on North Korea? As Doug Bandow explains, this will be a difficult endeavor and require compromises from both nations.