Reforming multilateral institutions to better reflect the new global balance of power is one way to encourage emerging powers to buy into the mulitlateral governance system. So if someone’s going to block India’s permanent Security Council seat, it’s better that it be China than us. What’s interesting is the way that increasing commercial contacts between the two regional rivals have yet to signfiicantly alter their military/strategic postures, as the Global Press article points out. It’s also a reminder that globalization doesn’t only redirect trade routes to facilitate commerce between “peripheral” countries. It also redirects the potential for conflict as ambitious emerging powers begin to rub up against one another. And when you look at Asia and the multiple permutations of potential crises, it’s clear why it’s occupying the thoughts of strategic planers more and more.
