Policy Alert: Rising Powers End 2019 on Shaky Ground

The year 2019 was a tumultuous one for the Rising Powers. China and the United States waged a war of words and economics as trade negotiations dragged on until December, India faced an unprecedented flare up in tensions with neighboring Pakistan early in the year from which relations have still to recover, and Japan’s attempts to normalize its relations with Russia over disputed island territories proved unsuccessful. They collectively faced major US foreign policy changes, such as its escalation in antagonizing Iran and withdrawal from Syria. In the last few weeks, China and India have been rattled with major political protests which have complicated their foreign relations, while Japan and Russia again handled another snag in their territorial dispute. On the other hand, China and Japan have managed to finalize their trade agreements with the US, and Russia has just put its first hypersonic missile regiment into service. In this RPI Policy Alert, we review how the Rising Powers stand as they head into 2020. Read it here.