The Sigur Center for Asian Studies

Associate Professor John Helveston was interviewed by Marketplace about the global rise of cheap electric vehicles from China. As China's EVs rise, other manufacturers feel pressured to compete. Read the article here: https://ow.ly/Yvwp50Zelfl.

Professor Deepa M. Ollapally wrote an article for the "East Asia Forum Quarterly" about India's role as a middle power. She argues that, while middle power collaboration aligns with India's desire for a multipolar world order, its strategic autonomy limits its aspirations. Read the article here: https://ow.ly/MMpF50Z9ylg

David Weaver and Research Professor Emeritus of Law, Donald C. Clarke, recently published "Advanced Introduction to Chinese Law," where he provides an essential overview of the Chinese legal system and situates it within the wider political framework of the PRC. Learn more about the book here: https://ow.ly/bgiN50ZaAuE

Professor Mike Mochizuki authored an article for the "East Asia Forum Quarterly" about Japan's role as a middle power. He argues that, in order to hedge against the United States, Japan must stabilize its relationship with China. Read the article here: https://ow.ly/rCbh50Z9ylh

The 2026 edition of our Asian Connections Newsletter is now live! The Asian Connections Newsletter provides an overview of the Sigur Center for Asian Studies’ highlights, achievements, and updates from staff, faculty, and students. Read more about this year's Gaston Sigur Memorial Lecture with Elizabeth Economy, the book talk we hosted with Saori N. Katada and Kei Koga (ESIA '02 alum), our symposium on World War II in Asia at 80, our Taiwan programming, interviews with alum Haruka Satake, Gitter Fellow Shelby Xu, William R. Johnson Awardees Anika Kanitkar and Adam Bubanich, current student Holly Pappano, and more! The newsletter also contains an in memoriam for Professor Emeritus of History Ronald H. Spector, who passed away on March 26th and is dearly missed by the Center. Read the Newsletter here or in the link in our bio: https://blogs.gwu.edu/elliott-sigur/files/2026/06/Asian-Connections-2026.pdf.

Sigur Center Visiting Scholar Abdul Wahid Gulrani authored a piece for "Fair Observer" about how influencers are trying to reshape global perceptions of the Taliban by portraying the Taliban as "safe" and ignoring the plights of women. You can read the article here: https://ow.ly/SYCQ50Z7hr5.

The latest issue of the "East Asia Forum Quarterly" featured articles from Japan-US Relations Associate Professor (Ret.) Mike Mochizuki and Research Professor and Director of the Rising Powers Initiative Deepa M. Ollapally. Professor Mochizuki wrote about how Japan needs stable relations with China to hedge against Trump, while Professor Ollapally explained the limits India faces as a middle power. Read both here: https://ow.ly/KkRz50Z6hEq

Congratulations to our Asian Studies graduates! You have worked so hard, and we look forward to your next steps. A special congratulations to our William R. Johnson Undergraduate Award Winner Anika Kanitkar, William R. Johnson Graduate Award Winners Adam Bubanich and Nazia Kazi, and Gitter Fellow Shelby Xu. Raise high and keep in touch!

Gaston Sigur Professor and Director of the China Policy Program David Shambaugh gave a keynote speech at the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) in Beijing about the state of China-U.S. relations after the Xi-Trump meeting. After the speech, Professor Shambaugh engaged in a dialogue with Found and President of the CCG, Henry Huiyao Wang, and answered questions from the audience, including those posed by ambassadors and reporters. You can watch the recording here: https://ow.ly/PtJV50Z4N14

Gaston Sigur Professor and Director of the China Policy Program David Shambaugh authored an op-ed parsing the results of the Trump-Xi summit and what it means for US-China relations. Read the article here: https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/parsing-the-results-of-the-xi-trump-summit.