March 28, 2024

Professor Elizabeth Freund Larus Speaks on PDA Military Transfer to BBC Chinese

Larus Comments on German Media on Taiwan Military Exercises

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus, who also is an adjunct fellow at Pacific Forum, commented July 27 to German broadcaster Deutsche Welle on Taiwan’s 2023 Han Kuang military exercise and Wan An drills. Professor Larus indicated that this year’s exercise included air raid drills in which residents were directed to shelters. Despite these attempts at readiness, Taiwan is still unprepared for a military attack from China. Professor Larus also indicated that Chinese fighter jets now regularly cross the unofficial median line in the Taiwan Strait in an attempt to influence the Taiwan 2024 presidential election campaign, which is currently in full swing on the island. Professor Larus’ comments begin at 3 minutes into the program.

Other recent news mentions for Larus include:

Larus Comments on Arabic News on Secretary Yellen’s Visit to Beijing (Asharq Arabic News)
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at the Pacific Forum, commented to Asharq Arabic news that US business is putting tremendous pressure on the Biden administration to improve relations with China. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is seen as the Cabinet member most favorably disposed to China. Despite her efforts, however, a trade war, tit-for-tat sanctions, investigation of foreign due diligence firms in China, civil-military fusion, and Biden’s reference to Xi Jinping as a dictator, mean that most US businesses will continue to face headwinds in China. Watch the segment.

Larus Discusses Taiwan with German Scholars
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, discussed scenarios for the 2024 Taiwan presidential election at an invitation only roundtable in Munich, Germany on June 15, 2023. Professor Larus and the scholars agreed that the results of the elections, regardless of outcome, will significantly affect US-China relations.

Larus Comments on Al Jazeera on Secretary Yellen’s visit to China

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, appeared on Al Jazeera’s July 10, 2023 Inside Story news talk program to discuss U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen’s visit to Beijing and US-China relations. Professor Larus stated that US firms are putting tremendous pressure on the Biden administration to foster a stable environment in which to do business with and in China. To repair US-China relations, both Washington and Beijing need to work to manage, rather than solve, irreconcilable differences.

https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2023/7/10/repairing-relations-between-the-us-and-china

Larus Comments on Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to the U.S.

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Politics and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at the Pacific Forum, offered commentary to

WION News on Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. Professor Larus indicated that Modi’s visit had both economic and defense components. After meeting titans of U.S. industry in New York, Modi was treated to a state dinner and addressed a joint session of Congress. The threat of a more aggressive China in the Indo-Pacific is drawing India closer to the U.S. Professor Larus’ comments begin at 17 minutes into the program.
Larus also spoke recently on Modi’s visit to News X for a piece titled “India-U.S. Defence Dynamic Is Strengthening’ | Elizabeth Larus On Bilateral Bid To Counter China.” On the segment, Larus says, “This is Modi’s sixth visit to the United States but it is actually the first time that he going to be treated to a state dinner in Washington.” Watch the segment.

Larus Comments on BBC Chinese on Blinken’s Beijing Visit

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at the Pacific Forum, commented to BBC Chinese on the advent of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing. Professor Larus indicated low expectations for the visit, stating that Washington and Beijing still disagree on key issues, including China’s increased military activity near Taiwan, disputes in the South China Sea, China’s support of Russia in the Ukraine war, trade and intellectual property disputes, and U.S. limits on the export of sensitive technology to China. She indicated that the Biden administration desired the meeting more than China’s leaders, a fact that was not lost on Beijing. Blinken cancelled his planned trip to Beijing after China’s spy balloon drifted over the U.S. It has taken several months to get the bilateral talks back on track, and largely at the U.S. initiative, making Blinken appear more as a supplicant than as an equal. Professor Larus stressed, however, that the two powers need to talk, particularly to avoid misunderstandings or accidents near Taiwan. Read more.

 

 

Larus Comments in ‘Financial Times’ on China’s Illegal Fishing

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, commented in the Financial Times that Washington views China’s illegal, unreported and unregulated (IIU) fishing as a national security concern: fishing fleets deplete stocks and deprive coastal communities of critical food sources, but also can be pressed to supplement the maritime militia that supports China’s navy, coast guard & maritime police. Read more.

Larus Comments on U.S.-China Relationship

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, spoke to WION for a segment titled “U.S.-China Meet: Sullivan-Wang Yi Hold Candid Talks in Vienna Meeting.” Larus commented that time had to pass to let ruffled feathers settle before U.S. and China officials could meet following the China spy balloon incident. Watch the segment.

Larus Comments on U.S.-South Korea Security Agreement

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, commented to WION News on South Korean President Yoon’s visit to the U.S. She indicated that the White House is relieved that Yoon, unlike his predecessor, similarly views North Korea and China as threats to Asia’s security. Professor Larus stated that it would be lunacy for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to use nuclear weapons. Kim needs nuclear weapons for regime survival. Using them would destroy his regime and the entire DPRK leadership. Comments begin at 3:30 minutes into the program.

Larus Shares Expertise With Asian News Outlets

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus has contributed to several recent news features, including:

Brazil’s President Lula to kick start China visit from Shanghai (WION)Elizabeth Larus commented to Wion News that the appreciation of the U.S. dollar and Western sanctions against authoritarian regimes explain China and Brazil’s decision to conduct trade in Chinese Yuan.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6DFcS0ofN4
What are the expected scenarios after Trump’s hearing (Asharq)
Elizabeth Larus commented to Asharq news that “Former President Trump needs to be careful in what he says after his arraignment. Cooler heads need to prevail. His supporters must not resort to violence but can show support for him at his rallies.”
What are the expected scenarios after Trump’s hearing (Asharq)
Elizabeth Larus indicated that the Trump indictment will have a chilling effect on potential GOP candidates as well as put 2024 candidates in the awkward position of accepting or rejecting Trump’s support.
https://tinyurl.com/3jj5dtck
Unprecedented Moment in U.S. History (WION)
“It indicates to the world that we are not united and that our politics are deeply fragmented, and they can take the message that it’s going to be hard for the United States to move forward if we are politically divided. A house that is politically divided will fall,” said Elizabeth Larus.
Trump At Manhattan Court (WION)
“A lot will be determined on what is going on with the criminal charges here,” said Elizabeth Larus.

Larus Comments on Possibility of China-U.S. War on Saudi News

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, explained to the Saudi Al Sharq news service that comments by the U.S. military and government officials indicating possible dates for the outbreak of hostilities between the US and China are not predictions. Rather, they are designed to strengthen the ability of the U.S. military to respond to Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, particularly concerning Taiwan. Watch the segment.

Other recent media mentions for Larus include:
Russia China Summit (Al Jazeera)
Elizabeth Larus commented that Xi Jinping supports Russia’s war against Ukraine because China cannot afford to have a weak partner in its efforts to unseat the US as global power.
Khalistanis attack Indian high commission (Republic World)
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, participated in a panel discussion on India’s Republic World on the recent Sikh separatist attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. Professor Larus’ comments begin at 33 minutes into the program.
China-Russia (VOA Russian Service)
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs, commented March 22 on the VOA Russian Service on Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow. Professor Larus indicated that China’s “no limits partnership” is manifested in trade and is not yet extended to military cooperation. Watch the segment.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Visit to Russia is First Since Invasion of Ukraine Began (Scripps News)
Elizabeth Larus commented on the meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, indicating that China needs Russian oil and gas for its economic and military development, and Russia needs Chinese support in its war against Ukraine. Download the clip.