Can a market-based plan for energy infrastructure provide peace and prosperity in the South China Sea? Stewart Taggart, a former financial journalist, examines recent tensions and describes how creating Joint Development Areas could boost cooperation and mutual trust.

The international and domestic crises that have occurred this past summer have jeopardized President Obama’s Asia-Pacific rebalance. The Ukrainian Crisis, the “Arab Spring”, and the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip are only some of the catastrophes that have led to dissatisfaction with the President’s foreign policy and possible victory for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.

The United States’ engagement policy toward China is a strategic step toward containing Beijing’s growing financial power and economic influence. However, with tension increasing between China and the United States, Carpenter heeds Washington to look for more sustainable engagement plans before advancing on what American scholars have coined “congagement”, in fear of erupting a larger Sino-American crisis.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Usni.org, the official website of US Naval Institute, has created a controversy by posting an article that says, "China sends uninvited spy ship to Rimpac" (Rim of the Pacific Exercise), writes Zhang Junshe.