Asia Policy: a peer-reviewed journal devoted to bridging the gap between academic research and policymaking on issues related to the Asia-Pacific.

Asia Policy publishes, in descending order of emphasis, three types of peer-reviewed articles:

• social scientific research articles that both use social science theories, concepts, and approaches and draw clear and concise policy implications on issues of import to the region
• research notes that present, in a well-organized format, new and important descriptive information of use to policymakers, especially on topics that have traditionally been underrepresented in the literature
• policy analyses that present original, persuasive, analytically rigorous, and clear and concise research-based argumentation on crucial policy matters

To help bridge the gap between academic research and the policymaking realm, we require that all submissions meet the criteria spelled out in the Guidelines for Submission, which are available both online and in each issue of the journal. Submissions should avoid as much as possible the use of academic jargon and must include a one-page Executive Summary that succinctly describes the topic, main argument, and policy implications of the article. Each submission will be subject to an anonymous peer review process that includes critiques from both the academic and policy communities.

Asia Policy will also occasionally include other formats—e.g., essays, debates, and roundtables—on issues related to bridging the gap. We will focus particular attention on formats that allow for the exchange of ideas among academics, policymakers, and those whose experience straddles both worlds.

Download Asia Policy, Issue 8

PDF format, 9.3MB, 211Pages

ROUNDTABLE
Defining a Healthy Balance Across the Taiwan Strait

In praising the October 2008 U.S. arms sale to Taiwan as an important response to the island’s defense needs, then presidential candidate Barack Obama articulated the need to maintain a “healthy balance” across the Taiwan Strait. Questions persist, however, about what exactly should constitute this healthy balance between the mainland and Taiwan. The U.S. Congress, for its part, has articulated Washington’s “unwavering commitment” to providing Taiwan with sufficient defensive weaponry to deter coercion by the mainland.

President Obama’s top diplomat to Taiwan has reiterated this commitment, stating that Washington’s position in this regard “remains unchanged.”

Is a healthy balance, then, defined purely in terms of weapon sales? If not, to what extent should other considerations play a role in determining this balance? Recent years have seen dramatic changes in the broader context of U.S.-Taiwan relations. Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou has asserted his aim to conduct “surprise-free and low key” foreign policy, and has emphasized the need to “move cross-strait relations forward and beyond the hostility and brinkmanship” of the preceding Chen Shui-bian administration.

This approach has precipitated an unprecedented upswing in Taiwan’s relations with the mainland, characterized by the inauguration of direct charter flights across the strait, two rounds of high-level bilateral talks, investment agreements, discussions of future military confidence-building measures (CBM), and the possible signing of a comprehensive trade pact. Should this warming of relations affect Washington’s definition of a healthy military balance? ...

Visit Asia Policy Official Website

The National Bureau of Asian Research is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution dedicated to informing and strengthening policy in the Asia-Pacific.

NBR conducts advanced independent research on strategic, political, economic, globalization, health, and energy issues affecting U.S. relations with Asia. Drawing upon an extensive network of the world’s leading specialists and leveraging the latest technology, NBR bridges the academic, business, and policy arenas.

The institution disseminates its research through briefings, publications, conferences, Congressional testimony, and email forums, and by collaborating with leading institutions worldwide. NBR also provides exceptional internship opportunities to graduate and undergraduate students for the purposes of attracting and training the next generation of Asia specialists.

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