November 08, 2023
Japan-South Korea Cooperation Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict Proves Benefits of Trilateral With US
The Israel-Hamas war is proving to be the first major test of Japan and South Korea’s ability to deepen collaboration in the spirit of the Camp David Summit, and so far, they are passing the test.
In August, the United States, Japan, and South Korea announced plans to cooperate trilaterally on a broad range of issues affecting regional and global stability and prosperity, including a commitment to consult and coordinate responses to challenges affecting their mutual security interests. In their joint remarks at Camp David, the leaders emphasized that “challenges that threaten regional security must be addressed by us building a stronger commitment to working together.”
Japan and South Korea’s cooperation on the Israel-Hamas conflict is a positive indication of rapprochement between the two capitals, and a powerful sign to each state’s citizens that there is a clear benefit to their national interests in working together.
Beyond the need to seize the momentum from Camp David, Japan and South Korea have good reason to work together in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Both strongly depend on Arab oil imports. Japan, which imports roughly 94 percent of its energy, has historically acquired more than 80 percent of its oil from the Middle East. Likewise, South Korea imports 98 percent of its energy needs, with 60 percent originating from the region.
Read the full article from The Diplomat.
More from CNAS
-
Indo-Pacific Security / Technology & National Security
Sharper: China's AI RiseArtificial intelligence has become a strategic priority for Beijing and Washington, yet both countries continue to pursue dramatically different strategies in their bid for gl...
By Charles Horn & Cadence Barker
-
Indo-Pacific Stability Depends on Eastern Africa’s Prosperity
The Strait of Malacca, Taiwan, and the South China Sea dominate the Asian debate. However, chokepoints further from home could prove similarly devastating....
By Derek Grossman
-
Superpowers and AGI
Executive Summary Artificial intelligence (AI) systems continue to progress at a steady pace. This trend has fed forecasts that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—generally...
By Jacob Stokes
-
Trump Is Linking Economic Investment With Military Alliances: Political Analyst
Derek Grossman from the University of Southern California, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, says Trump is most interested in making money of...
By Derek Grossman
