Changes and Trends in the Independence of the US Federal Reserve Following the Financial Crisis

In 2018, US President Donald Trump repeatedly and publicly criticized the US Federal Reserve for raising interest rates too quickly, breaking the long-established precedent for presidents to refrain from intervening in monetary policy and putting the independence of the Federal Reserve into question. However, this is only the latest development of a longer process: since the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve has been gradually losing its independence, in a quiet and perhaps permanent way. There are several reasons for this trend: the Federal Reserve’s performance during the financial crisis undermined its credibility, the consolidation of political factors arranged against its independence, and the consequences of the financial crisis weakened the economic foundation for its independence. Trump’s rise to power has only strengthened these factors, bringing an additional loss of independence, which will have a profound impact on the economy, society, and politics.

Risks and Path Choices of the Tapering of Federal Reserve QE and Its Impact on China

In December 2013,the Federal Open Market Committee （FOMC） formally announced that it would wind down the size of its large-scale asset purchase program.This formally set in motion the exit of quantitative easing （QE）.However,at present,the American unemployment rate is still relatively high,the real estate market is gloomy,inflation is too low,the balance sheet is facing an unexpected increase in risks,and policies are confionted with cost pressures.Under such circumstances,the Fed is faced with multiple challenges in the tapering of QE.QE policy has made great contributions to helping the United States to shake off financial crisis,and the safe and smooth exit of the policy is of the utmost importance to the recovery of the U.S.economy and the reshaping of U.S.advantages.In addition,the Fed＇s monetary policy reversal will engender spillover risks and challenges for China＇s economy.

“Strategic Reassurance” and the Future of China-U.S. Relations

"Strategic reassurance," a new concept in Obama's China policy,should be fostered bilaterally by dialogue designed to highlight and reinforce the areas of common interests while addressing the sources of mistrust directly.Yet in practice it seems that U.S.strategic reassurance has contrasted all China's core interests.The United States and China must recognize their different social systems and asymmetrical national strength in seeking to realize strategic stability.Crisis control requires sophisticated management of both side,especially on sensitive issues like weapons sales,the Dalai Lama,and the South China Sea dispute.

U.S. Election Politics and the Normalization of US-Cuban Relations

The resumption of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba is not only a key result of Obama's "reaching-out" diplomacy but is also closely connected to US election politics. The US embargo on Cuba will hopefully be lifted soon unless some political hurdle emerges. Even so, normalization of US-Cuban relations still has a long way to go.

Obama's Legacy The Foreign Policy of the Late-Term Obama Administration

The year 2014 was a tipping point for the Barack Obama Administration--that was the year when it strove to forge a legacy of the Obarna era but came up against challenges arising from major changes that were taking place internationally and domestically. The Administration was then focused on maintaining a fragile balance between creating this legacy and responding to these challenges. Obama stuck to his fundamental principles when dealing with overseas affairs, but he also came up with new responses. The dynamic balance struck between these two formed the basis of the global strategy of the late-term Obama Administration. The Administration＇s focus at this time highlights the dilemma it faced in forging a legacy. Further, the foreign policy of Obama and Trump are actually not so different; they both supported some degree of isolationism with a focus on domestic issues.

The Expansion of Islamic State in China's Periphery

From June 2014, ISIS has waged war and controlled territory in areas of Syria and Iraq. ISIS is also expected to seek to control areas in China＇s periphery in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Central Asia. This poses a direct threat to China＇s own security and development as well as to public safety. This article analyzes how ISIS is expanding into these areas and evaluates the scope of its influence in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Central Asia. It also examines ISIS ideology, political objectives and strategy.

Analysis of the Strategic Influence of the Ukraine Crisis

Europe＇ s greatest security challenge since the Cold War and the greatest ＇geopolitical event after ＂9/11＂ in 2001 and the Iraq War in 2003, the Ukraine crisis will decide the strategic orientation of ＂the geopolitical pivot country＂ Ukraine, and will influence relationships among the U.S., Russia, the European Union, China and Japan.

America under the Trump Administration:Characteristics and Prospects of the US Domestic and Foreign Policies

2017 witnessed the first year of the Trump administration after his surprise win in the election of 2016,and both the US and the world have felt the Trump effect.Only by having a clear understanding of the historic crossroads at which the US now stands plus the detailed background of Trump’s administration,can we get a grasp of the characteristics and prospects of the US domestic and foreign policies.

The Characteristics of the Trump Administration's Sanctions

The Trump administration heavily relies on economic sanctions to solve diplomatic problems. Those sanctions are far more protrusive than the ones enforced by his predecessors in terms of scale and scope of the intended target. The Trump administration has manufactured many new programs for sanctions and has attached much importance to imposing sanctions on entities that violate human rights. It also has increased its use of secondary sanctions, export controls and investment restrictions. Both sanction-related criminal enforcement and fines have hit new heights. The main reason for this strategy is that Trump and his economic team are keen on waging a"money war."Meanwhile, sanctions can appeal to Trump’s requirements for quick, easy achievements, and can also contain and suppress opponents. The economic impact of these sanctions is obvious,while the political impact is still questionable. These sanctions have harmed the US alliance system and boosted the de-dollarization trend in the global economy, which makes it increasingly difficult for the United States to achieve its prospective goals in the future.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the International Status of the US Dollar

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the high debt and inflation caused by the US emergency relief proposal and expansionary monetary policy,the durability of the dominance of the US dollar has been questioned once again.In absolute terms,the dollar“has lost ground,”but its competitive advantage has not diminished significantly.The international status of currencies is determined by their relative advantages instead of absolute advantages.The US dollar has remained relatively strong and resilient.The US has taken advantage of the international community’s dependence on the dollar and hijacked the global market with dollar assets,successfully covering up its problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.Other major reserve currencies have faced major obstacles in the development process,and the derivative forms of emerging currencies have major defects,which do not pose an urgent challenge to the status of the US dollar.

Young American China Watchers Views on China

In this paper,the author has made a thorough study over the new generation of American China Watchers.Most of the pages are devoted to a detailed comparison between the old generation and the young generation of American China Watchers regarding to their background,education,and views over China.At the end of the paper,the author also gives some policy suggestions for both the Chinese and U.S. government based on the findings in this study.

Assessment of China's International Environment and U.S. Strategic Trend

It is of great significance to have a clear understanding of the international environment that China faces. But this is an uneasy job. Since September 11, the world situation has become so complicated that it is hard to grasp its essence even with painstaking efforts. To judge such an already complicated international environment from China’s perspective adds more difficulties, for different people usually have different views due to the different angles from which they see the situation and different methods they adopt. This, understandably, leads to hot debates within the Chinese academic circles. To provide a stage for exchange of views, at the invitation of the CIR Expert Forum, some well-known scholars and experts on international relations from Beijing gathered to hold a symposium on November 5, 2002, with the theme of "How to assess the international environment that China faces". The speeches at the symposium will be published in two installments. Following are the first half.

The Liberal Hawks and the China Strategy of the Biden Administration

Since the Biden administration came to power, the liberal hawks who uphold the liberal internationalist strategy have regained a significant influence on foreign affairs and national security, prioritized the repair of U.S. hegemony, and maintained strategic competition with China initiated by the Trump administration. When compared with the paradigm of competition of the Trump administration, the liberal hawks of the Biden administration have improved the strategic logic of competition with China and refined the relevant policy layout to render it compatible with the overall agenda of the Democratic Party. Enhancing strategic competition with China under the leadership of the liberal hawks has not been in the interests of China, the United States(U.S.), or the entire world. The healthy and stable development of China–U.S. relations requires additional rational and pragmatic policies from the side of the U.S.

Donald Trump Administration’s Domestic and Foreign Policy after the Midterm Election

After Democrats recaptured control of the US House at the 2018 midterms,the ramifications for American domestic and foreign policies have included increased partisan checks on President Donald Trump's proposals for immigration,energy,pollution,taxes,healthcare,and social welfare,and on the Republican Party's conservative agenda overall.After the longest government shutdown in US history over funding for a border wall to keep out illegal immigrants,Trump declared a national emergency in February 2019.Under his administration,US trade pacts with China,Mexico,Canada,Japan,the EU and other countries also face uncertainty.The Indo?Pacific Strategy and relations with Russia and Europe will remain,as is.Yet even if Sino-US trade negotiations progress,bilateral friction over high technology and cultural exchange will likely increase,and disputes over Taiwan,the South China Sea and human rights will continue.

An Analysis of China's Power Status and International Standing

Many Chinese scholars have described China as the world＇s second biggest power after the U.S.. This is based on two facts. First, China overtook Japan in total economic output measured by GDP in 2010 to become the world＇s second biggest economy. Some scholars argue that China still lags behind the U.S. in comprehensive national power and in this sense it is also ranked second） The other is that Sino-U.S. relations are frequently described as the rise and fall of big powers, especially when referring to the Asia-Pacific region. It is the latest example of how relations between a rising power and one struggling to maintain its status have been so complex in the long history of international relations. While many people talk about the possibility that China will overtake the U.S. in the future, others talk about a G2.2 If we look closely at global trends and changes to China＇ s international environment, if we examine what exactly we mean by power status, we will have a much deeper understanding of China＇ s current power status from which we can build a solid foundation for this country＇ s foreign strategy and diplomacy.

Ideology in the U.S.: Leaning Left or Right?

American society is dominated by middle force.Balance between liberalism(Left in U.S.politics)and conservatism(Right in U.S.politics)is somewhat kept.Liberal ideas,such as control of economy strengthened by government and social equity realized through"redistribution",have been somewhat in upper hand a little during Obama presidency.However,they are fiercely opposed by conservatives.As

Is America Well on the Way to Energy Independence?

With advances in shale drilling techniques boosting oil and gas production,the U.S.has become the leader,first outpacing Russia in natural gas production,and then becoming in 2014 a net exporter and the world’s largest producer of petroleum products.President Obama declared confidently in January’s State of the Union Address that the country

In the U.S., Another Tech Bubble? Maybe Not

Difficulties the U.S.high-tech industry is now facing may be only temporary but uncertainty over laws and policies could create a setback.The emerging transformation based on advanced robotics,3-D manufacturing,new materials,big data and digitalization,which some consider a"third"industrial revolution,will come to full flower later than expected if the American government fails to fine-tune relevant laws

The Surge in Popularity for Non-traditional Candidates:Implications for 2016 US Presidential Elections

We are still in the early stages of the US presidential race but real estate tycoon and TV show host Donald Trump＇s surprise candidacy andsubsequent Republican （formerly a Democratic challenging rise has dominated media headlines. Other non-traditional candidates, less popular than Trump, are Dr. Ben Carson neurosurgeon） and Carly Fiorina, the ex CEO of HP. For the Party, far-left Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.