As China and the U.S. prepare for the Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing from 9-10 July 2014, they might usefully conduct a mutual stock taking of what went so horribly wrong in their cyber relationship and what they can do to redress it.

As time has progressed, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have proven to be enduring, and quite relevant. In addition to promoting this thesis, Yu Sui analyzes the various facets that make the Five Principles so appealing, as well as the opposition its proponents face.

In light of China’s deployment of a mega oilrig in waters that Vietnam considers part of its Exclusive Economic Zone, Carlyle A. Thayer analyses what amounts to an unexpected provocation of Vietnam by China.

In light of President Obama’s commencement speech at West Point, Minxin Pei analyzes and discusses various facets of the talk. Specifically, Pei points to four themes in President Obama’s speech as particularly poignant, and spends the bulk of the essay discussing them.

Given recent territorial moves by China, as well as heightened aggressive rhetoric, Curtis Chin analyzes the parallels between China currently and Japan as it existed in the past. Additionally, Chin asserts that the world’s powers should work to lower tensions so that peace and prosperity can exist in the Asia-Pacific region.

Given China’s participation in the 2014 RIMPAC exercises, Doug Bandow analyzes and discusses the benefits of such inclusion. Additionally, Bandow examines how the RIMPAC exercises show that China can and should be enticed into involvement and cooperation with Western nations.

Given the recent rhetoric about Russia’s resurgence and the country’s attempt at controlling Ukraine, Zheng Yu analyzes and discusses US policies that are key to containing Russia. Additionally, Yu stresses that Russia will eventually and inevitably have to come to terms with these policies.

Chinese criticism of the Pentagon’s latest report on China’s military power is misplaced. The text is not intended to propagate the “China threat” thesis as part of a U.S.-led containment strategy. Instead, the document offers a balanced review of Chinese capabilities and intentions, and combines deterrence threats with reassuring opportunities for further China-U.S. defense cooperation.

Given the ‘pivot to Asia’ policy that has been executed by the Obama administration, Stephen Harner discusses its various negative implications. In addition to his assessment of the policy’s shortcomings, Harner also asserts that the Obama administration needs to reverse entirely this ‘pivot to Asia’ policy. Such a policy reversal, according to Harner, would create stability in Asia.

In just a few weeks, Iraq has moved closer to a triangular disintegration. At the same time, the jihadists have advanced dramatically. Adverse scenarios cast a dark shadow over energy prices and growth prospects worldwide.