A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Nonresident Fellow at the Atlantic Council penned a blog for the LSE U.S. Centre that assesses the apparent strengths and weaknesses of both contenders – who are now neck and neck in national polls – and outlines why Joe Biden might have an advantage in the Electoral College. Read more.
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Pacific Forum
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub, commented on France24 on Japanese Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Washington. Professor Larus indicated that, despite solid defensive agreements with Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, Japan questions US political commitment to maintaining maritime security in the Asia Pacific. She also indicated that Japan can see that the US is short on ships, ship builders, and people to put on ships. In response, Japan is increasing its miliary budgets and expanding its military power. Read more.
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Pacific Forum
Taiwan
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Pacific Forum, offered commentary to international media on Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential and Legislative elections:
U.S.
Larus also commented recently on Vietnam News on Super Tuesday. Larus said there would be little change in voters’ support for Biden and Trump between Super Tuesday and Election Day because voters are already well aware of the candidates’ weaknesses. The only place where the campaigns have left to influence voters are in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and maybe Nevada, Arizona and Georgia. Trump needs to pull out all the stops in Michigan where Biden is vulnerable to the Arab American vote. Larus also indicated that Trump has picked up support from Black and Hispanic voters since 2016 and 2020. In recent polls in 6 swing states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin), 22% of Black people would vote for Trump, up from 8% in 2016, and 42% of Hispanics said they would vote for Trump, up from 29% in 2016. View the segment.
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Pacific Forum
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Pacific Forum, commented to Voice of American Chinese that Congress’ failure to renew funding of the Compacts of Free Association (COFAs) with the Pacific Islands of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau jeopardizes US influence and sea control in the Pacific. China is enticing Palau, whose economy heavily depends on tourism, to switch diplomatic relations from Taiwan by promising to fill every hotel room in Palau. Larus indicated that, located between Hawaii and Guam, COFA members states are the U.S.’s first line of control in the Central Pacific. China is using economic leverage to persuade the COFA states to realign with China and to abstain in a potential U.S. conflict with China over Taiwan.
https://www.voachinese.com/a/how-can-cofa-help-us-deter-ccp-in-a-indopacific-conflict/7496027.html
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus spoke to Sputnik News for a segment titled, “Analysis-China Likely to Take Wait-and-See Approach to Taiwan After Recent Election. An adjunct fellow at Pacific Forum International Larus suggested that Beijing would likely continue military sorties into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone and later carry out naval exercises near the island closer to Lai’s inauguration in May.
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus spoke to TVP World for a segment titled “Japan’s record military budget.” Elizabeth Larus indicated that Japan’s hefty defense budget increase indicates that Tokyo is seeking a new role as a security partner in the Indo-Pacific. Watch the segment.
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum joined The John Batchelor Show for a segment titled “#PRC: Who was Li Keqiang of the CCP? Elizabeth Larus, Pacific Forum.” She commented on the passing of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Listen to the segment.
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, published commentary in the forum’s PacNet on the upgrade of US-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Professor Larus writes that the elevation of US-Vietnam relations facilitates bilateral trade and investment, but more importantly counters China.
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus spoke on TV for a segment titled “Is China trying to catch up with the Belt and Road losing momentum through this forum?” Larus said “Xi’s BRI 10 yrs on is robust in the Global South but a bust in Europe due to overpromise and underdeliver. Hungary’s Orban is the only European head of state attending Beijing celebration.” Watch the clip.
Last year the US government imposed semiconductor export controls on China amid concerns that the country was using civilian technology for military purposes. Elizabeth Larus writes that these and other measures such as the denial of license applications by the US Commerce Department and nuclear nonproliferation controls have put US trade, investment, and defense industry lobbyists at odds with national security hawks in Washington. Read more.