Category Archives: Articles
Nakamura: A Pacifist Extremist
A prominent Japanese physician and humanitarian aid worker Tetsu Nakamura killed in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province of eastern Afghanistan on December 5. He was gunned down along with 5 Afghan colleagues in an attack against his vehicle by an unknown
Looming Great Wall
Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor, Religion and Global Security, University of Tokyo. Throughout the year 2019, we have celebrated the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. There was not much festive mood. It was as if we were mourning
More Humane Way of Security
Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor, Religion and Global Security, University of Tokyo Dr. Sadako Ogata, Japan’s most famous United Nations administrator, scholar and diplomat passed away on October 22 at the age of 92. Sadako was born in a high-class family and
Japan’s Difficult Balancing-Act
Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor, Religion and Global Security, University of Tokyo President Trump’s abrupt order to abandon Syrian Kurds and the subsequent twists of decisions have led East Asian allies of the United States to a deep reflection. From a point
The 3rd Generation Islam and the Plight of Ulama
Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor, Religion and Global Security, University of Tokyo Each time radical extremism rises, critics in the West asks why the Ulama can’t refute extremists and guide people to a more moderate interpretation. Aren’t they doing their job? I
From Chile to Iraq: Popular unrest and the demise of global geopolitics?
Away from the sheer geopolitics dealing with international strategic and diplomatic rifts, or attempting to solve internal grievances of oppressed groups, what raises the attention this week seems to be more around economic crises and poor governance. So let’s drop
The Islamic State’s Pendulum Swing
Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor, Religion and Global Security, University of Tokyo. President Trump declared victory in a televised speech on Sunday morning, October 27 announcing the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State militant group, also called
Middle East Geo-Strategy Now
Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor, Religion and Global Security, University of Tokyo. Let’s summarize geopolitical and strategic situations in the Middle East. Russians Coming, Americans Leaving, Kurds Down, Empires Back. Yes, the Russians are coming, but to what extent? Indeed, Russia is
Sudán: 30 años de poder militar-islamista
Los sudaneses reivindican la vuelta a un gobierno civil y democrático. La duda es si, dentro de la diversidad social, existe una voluntad y una capacidad comunes de dirigir el país. Escrito por: Profesor. Marc Lavergne En esta primavera de
President Trump’s Inevitable Decision
Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor, Religion and Global Security, University of Tokyo President Trump’s decision to withdraw from northeastern Syria was confusing in its implementation and presentation. While initially endorsing Turkey’s incursion into northern Syria, when Erdogan actually sent forces into Syria,
