Impressum





Ausgabe 4-2006

Themenschwerpunkt: Asien / Asia

INHALT

Editorial | download full article as pdf
Seite III

Themenschwerpunkt: Asien

Forum

Neuerscheinung
Seite 210

Annotationen
Seite 211

Besprechungen | download full article as pdf
Seite 212

ENGLISH ABSTRACTS

Nordostasien: Ratlosigkeit im Schatten der Atomkrise
Hans J. Giessmann
North Korea’s nuclear test has altered the coordinates of stability not only for East Asia. The regime of non-proliferation is likewise put on a new critical test. What are the true intentions of the political and military rulers in the north of the Korean peninsula? What is behind their provocation which may trigger also – because of isolation is likely – considerable risks for North Korea? Beyond responding to these questions this paper analyses the reactions of the most important external actors in their search for a political resolution of the nuclear crisis: China, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea. Demands for a maximum without any readiness to compromise will not allow the negotiations to pass the deadlock. A renewed approach is necessary – realistic, pragmatic, and with creative intermediate steps.
download full article | PDF

The Concept and Management of Non-traditional Security in Southeast Asia
Jörn Dosch
The structural changes of the post-Cold War era have resulted in new views on the defi nition and nature of security. According to this new approach, security comprises aspects of non-traditional or soft security, in addition to the established hard or military security. This article discusses the changing political discourse on security in Southeast Asia before turning to a case study that exemplifi es the management (or lack of it) of non-traditional security (NTS). It is argued that policy-makers within ASEAN have put increasing emphasis on identifying and addressing NTS issues which affect or even may destabilize the region. This commitment to NTS, however, does not go beyond the declaratory or rhetorical level. Few measures have been implemented. Due to the organization’s strict adherence to the principle of non-interference into the member states’ domestic affairs the association lacks the institutional prerequisites to effectively and effi ciently respond to the changing dynamics of regional security.
download full article | PDF

EU-China Relations – Really Towards a »Strategic Partnership«?
Axel Berkofsky
The three year long EU-China honeymoon has come to an end and both Brussels and Beijing are now charged with re-adjusting and redefi ning their relations, »strategic« or otherwise. Whereas the EU found itself confronted with the task o
explaining its objectives a however-shaped »strategic partnership« with China, for Beijing the objectives of the partnership with Brussels announced in 2003 were always well-defi ned, with two issues on top of the agenda: The lifting of the EU weapons embargo imposed on China in 1989 and the granting of market economy status (MES). Three years later, neither nor has happened and it remains very unlikely that there will be progress on either issue any time soon. Then again how realistic and credible is a »strategic partnership« between a democratic block of countries and the yet non-democratic China mainly if not exclusively preoccupied with economic development in the fi rst place? Not very, this author argues and the analysis below will seek to explain why.
download full article | PDF

Der politische »Fallout« von Nordkoreas Waffentests: Japans Sicherheitspolitik im Umbruch
Susanne Feske/Jan Helmig
The profound changes in Asia which have already been visible in shades clearly emerged in face of the North Korean test series. Especially for Japan the missile fi rings of July 2006 as well as the recent nuclear test have proved to be a trigger for a revised foreign policy posture. While it was formerly unthinkable to even discuss nuclear armament, such debate suddenly becomes a frequent part of political discourse, thus highlighting the growing military self-consciousness of Japan. To this end, an encompassing missile defense shield is a cornerstone of Japan’s revised security attitude. This article traces how the regional concerns towards a Japanese return to a more assertive foreign policy stance were silenced by North Korea’s nuclear test. It subsequently argues that despite the almost united protest against the North Korean provocation, the changing role of Japan’s security posture meets with criticism, especially when procured under a missile defense shield. This constellation provides all the ingredients for an arms race in Asia.
download full article | PDF

Fremde Nachbarn
Friedenskonsolidierung und Vergangenheitsbearbeitung in den Post-Konfl ikt-Staaten Lateinamerikas
Tanja Kasten
Within the last three decades, many Latin American states opted to face the social and political consequences of violent confl ict by processing serious violations of human rights by national Truth Commissions. The article focuses on the social challenges inherent to democratic transition and points out the importance of a combined multi-track approach, with a special emphasis on the local and regional level, in order to coming to terms with the past.
download full article | PDF

»Globale Verteidigung«
Von der Entgrenzung des militärischen Auftrags und der Freiheit des Gewissens
Jürgen Rose
The new German MoD White Paper sets up both a global range and an offensive spin for the future mission of the »transformed« German Armed Forces. With respect to its former defensive direction it seems necessary to take a closer look back on the well established and reasonable limitations marked by the German constitution and international law for the use of the Bundeswehr. In particular, the German constitution categorically interdicts any war of aggression. Therefore the case of a German staff offi cer who explicitly declared not to obey any orders that would involve his support for the Anglo-American coalition’s war against Iraq in 2003 is of fundamental relevance for the future of the German military. After fi rst sent to emotion he eventually was acquitted by the Federal Administrative Court. However, his case illustrates that the primacy of politics is in force only within the limits of law and order, beyond them the primacy of the individual conscience reigns.
download full article | PDF