Northeast Asia: Rivalries among Powers

Economically, Northeast Asia is the most dynamic place in theworld, but the security situation in the region is dire and precarious. Even though cooperation and rivalry have long coexisted there, recently the latter has been overshadowing the former as three setsof rivalries have come to haunt this region collectively. In additionto the decades-old inter-Korean rivalry, the old Sino-Japanese rivalryhas been revived, and the rivalry between China and the U.S., aperennial phenomenon, has also come to take center stage inNortheast Asia. Although the three sets of rivalries have their ownunique causes and ramifications, they have close connections. Among all the conflicts and confrontations, the Sino-U.S. rivalry isnow playing a defining role. Given the lack of mutual trust, absenceof inclusive regional security institutions, unaddressed historicalgrievances, and unfulfilled leadership aspirations, the three set ofrivalries will not go away in the foreseeable future and might reinforceeach other to make the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asiathe most volatile and dangerous place on earth.