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Author

John West

Executive Director, Asian Century Institute

John West is executive director of the Asian Century Institute, which conducts research and analysis and participates in policy dialogues to foster a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the Asian Century.

John is also an adjunct professor at Tokyo’s Sophia University where he teaches Asian economic development and Japanese business and economy.

He previously served as head of public affairs at the OECD, director of balance of payments at the Australian Treasury and senior consultant for capacity building and training at the Asian Development Bank Institute. He also taught globalization at the Paris-based Institut d’Etudes Politiques (“Sciences Po”).

He has a Masters in Economics from Australia’s University of New South Wales. His latest book is “Asian Century… on a Knife-edge: A 360 Degree Analysis of Asia’s Recent Economic Development” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018).

You can follow his tweets @asiancenturyins

Articles by John West

Will the West Fall Like Ancient Rome?

Are the Chinese the new barbarians, intent on triggering the fall of the West? Or is China risking internal failure?

February 16, 2024

Emerging Global Anarchy?

Many speculate that leadership of the world order is passing from the U.S. to China. But a more likely outcome could be growing world political disorder and anarchy.

January 30, 2024

The Battle Over Taiwan

Presidential elections in Taiwan and the U.S. in 2024 could add some spice to the geopolitical battle over Taiwan.

October 8, 2023

Why Europe Is Yesterday’s Hero

Europe is a weak link in the West’s security and will likely remain self-absorbed and a marginal player in world politics.

September 27, 2023

Time for China and the WHO to Fess Up

The Australian government’s proposal for an independent international enquiry on the COVID 19 crisis is a much-needed constructive initiative.

April 20, 2020

Advantage Asia: Social Cohesion as King in the COVID 19 Era

Social cohesion will be critical in this new world of the COVID 19 crisis. Asia’s case proves that social cohesion is Janus-faced, working in two opposite directions.

April 9, 2020

India Has a Modi and a BJP Problem

Modi’s initiative is undermining the very idea of India as a secular and multicultural liberal society.

December 20, 2019

Seven Challenges for an Asian Century

To reach its full potential, Asia will need to overcome seven key challenges in the 21st century.

February 5, 2018

China’s North Korea Game

What explains Chinese collusion with, and protection of, North Korea? Isn’t China fearful of having a rogue nuclear state on its border?

April 5, 2017

After TPP: RCEP as China’s Magic Bullet?

China will not lead free trade in Asia, contrary to many forecasts.

February 17, 2017

Japan and Trump Trade Policy

How will the Trump Administration shift economic and security ties with Japan?

February 10, 2017

China and Taiwan — Apocalypse Now?

Will the arrival of a new President in Taiwan bring even more “interesting times” in relations with mainland China?

May 19, 2016

Japan’s Immigration Imperative

Can opening up to immigration provide Japan a potential source of economic revitalization?

March 18, 2016

China’s Japan-bashing

Is there any hope that China and Japan could bury the hatchet and have friendly relations?

September 23, 2015

Indonesia at a Critical Juncture

Great political and social hurdles stand in the way of Indonesia’s development.

May 19, 2015

China’s Financial Paradoxes

China’s total debt is now greater than that of the United States, creating uncertainty about its future.

March 26, 2015

Regionalism, Asia Style

Unlike in Europe, Asian regionalism has been market-led.

December 2, 2014

Japan: A Polite Nation’s Dark Underbelly

A poor record on human rights hurts democracy in Japan.

October 8, 2014

China’s Grudge Match Against Multinationals: Biting the Hand That Fed It

What motivates China’s leaders to go up against Western companies?

September 30, 2014

Can China Maintain Social Peace?

China’s young people feel under intense pressure.

August 1, 2014

Dazzling Singapore’s Deep Contradictions

The clean veneer surrounding Singapore starts to show cracks.

July 24, 2014

Japan: A Venetian Destiny?

Japan and Venice share a similar history, but Japan should change course before that history repeats itself.

June 11, 2014

America and India: So Much in Common

The world’s two largest democracies are engaged in plenty of unnecessary strife.

April 17, 2014