Director, Policy Media

Chanhee Joy Park

Chanhee (Joy) Park is a Foreign Policy Co-Lead based in Texas and Michigan, specializing in the history and politics of East Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.

His research areas include cultural diplomacy, comparative politics, and international relations theory. Outside of foreign policy, Chanhee is a violinist, chamber musician, and arts advocate for his community.

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Policy Briefs by the author

An Uneasy Partnership: U.S-Saudi Relations

Foreign Policy

October 16, 2022

Following oil discoveries in the 1930s, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have maintained a decades-long allyship built on oil diplomacy and security guarantees, with the U.S. aiding Saudi Arabia in its national defense and, in turn, the gulf state has allowed for the growth of various U.S.-Saudi oil partnerships. This brief traces the origins of U.S.-Saudi affairs, both economically and politically. Furthermore, it highlights the difference shown in the approach seen in recent presidencies, with an emphasis on how it impacts present regional issues and priorities. Finally, with consideration to President Biden’s recent trip to the Middle East, it offers policy options for the administration to take to ensure a balanced relationship between Riyad and Washington for prospective U.S. endeavors.

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A History of Tensions in the Taiwan Strait

Foreign Policy

October 2, 2022

Since the 1950s, China and Taiwan have been politically opposed, with both nations fighting against the other’s claims to legal sovereignty. However, with more military might, China has taken greater measures both economically and militarily to induce Taiwan's surrender to Chinese authority. With recent development in the strait between China and Taiwan, previous and current promises of invasion have dominated the forefront of issues in the Indo-Pacific. This brief traces the history of conflict between China and Taiwan, with emphasis on Taiwan's democratization and separatism from mainland China. It details the roles the U.S. has played recently, as well as how the U.S. should approach future interactions within the Indo-Pacific without instigating future conflict within the region.

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Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup: Exploitation of Workers

Foreign Policy

February 27, 2022

Sustained protests from migrant workers in Qatar have grabbed the attention of the international sports community as the date of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup approaches. This brief explains the long history of labor abuses towards migrant workers, specifically in relation to construction for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Finally, through an analysis of recent labor reforms within Qatar, the brief analyzes the efficacy of these reforms and considers future approaches needed to ensure the continuation of labor reforms in Qatar.

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Pakistan: A Crisis at Every Turn

Foreign Policy

November 6, 2022

Since its independence in 1947, Pakistan has gone through a series of failed political institutions to the point that no Prime Minister of Pakistan has ever completed their full five-year term. Tension recently peaked following the ousting and later shooting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. This brief details the events that resulted in Khan’s removal from office, and the ongoing power struggle within the country. It then connects policy decisions made by previous and current establishments, or lack of them, which have either contributed to or failed to handle ongoing economic and environmental crises.

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Threat of War Along the Eastern Bloc: Ukraine

Foreign Policy

February 13, 2022

Rising militarization of the Russia-Ukraine border has caused concerns of war along the Eastern Bloc. This brief details the long rooted history between Russia and Ukraine and how it ties into the current conflict. Finally, with consideration to recent developments, the brief analyzes current approaches to the conflict and future actions the U.S. may take in response to continued Russian aggression.

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Conflict in the Eastern DRC

Foreign Policy

December 4, 2022

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been the battleground of numerous political and ethnic conflicts. Recently, the re-emergence of militia rebel groups within its eastern region has ignited tensions once. This brief explains the historical significance of the current contentiousness within the region, with a focus on the strained relationship between the DRC and Rwanda. It connects the decades-long conflict in the region to the ongoing conflict of the DRC, as well as details its effect on inhabitants within the country. Finally, taking account of U.S. interest, the brief proposes the next steps the U.S. should take to prioritize long-term peace, specifically highlighting the role of aiding regional actors and entities.

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China-Russia Relations in the Wake of Invasion

Foreign Policy

March 13, 2022

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, the United States, along with other NATO nations, have imposed significant economic countermeasures against Russia. However, as its economy struggles, Russia may turn to China in search of economic security. This brief explains how Russia has dealt with punitive economic policy from the West, as well as how Russia's long economic relationship with China may play a role in its economic recovery. Finally, the brief considers future approaches the U.S. should take to effectively deter China-Russia relations in the attempt to resolve the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

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European Division over Russian Energy

Foreign Policy

May 22, 2022

As Russian forces continue to violently push through eastern Ukraine, the EU, in an effort to place greater pressure on Russia, proposes a ban on all Russian oil imports. However, while the ban holds the possibility of severely damaging the Russian economy, European nations will have to contend with Russian retaliatory response, as well as the impacts of losing its largest supplier of energy. This brief traces the history of European dependency on Russian energy and connects it to the current debate on banning Russian oil in all member states of the EU. Furthermore, it considers the possible means by which Europe will adjust to the loss of Russian energy, both before and after the enforcement of the oil ban.

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The Sri Lankan Economic Crisis

Foreign Policy

April 30, 2022

The Sri Lankan economy is currently in the worst economic state it has been in since its independence. This brief explains how ineffective government policy in Sri Lanka has inevitably led to a larger-scale fiscal crisis. It details the political and economic fallout following the initial beginning of the crisis, as well as how international forces have come to Sri Lanka’s aid. Finally, the brief analyzes the current state of the country’s economy and proposes various methods for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

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The Military Takeover of Sudan

Foreign Policy

January 30, 2022

Violence breaks out in Sudan as a result of military makeover of the regional Sudanese government. This brief details the motives of the coup, including the long history of political instability that preceded it. Finally, it analyzes the future of Sudan following the coup, as well as possible actions to take to ensure the immediate safety of the Sudenese people and to provide measures to enable civilian rule.

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Xinjiang Police Files

Foreign Policy

June 19, 2022

For several years, states and international agencies across the globe have demanded Chinese transparency regarding its agenda and activity within its northwest Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Namely, the West has expressed concerns about human rights violations and cultural suppression of the Uyghur and Muslim minorities residing within the area. A recent press release would support these concerns, revealing details of state-sponsored systematic internment and abuse. This brief ties the finding of the press release to previous evidence as well as explains China’s justification for the detainment. Lastly, it explains the current international response and proposes means by which to effectively and substantially hinder China’s ability to enforce Uyghur internment or, at very least, profit from it.

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An Update on the European Energy Crisis

Foreign Policy

November 13, 2022

This brief explains how recent EU countermeasures, combined with Russian retaliation, has forced Europe to promptly secure alternative forms of energy, especially as winter approaches. However, it also highlights how the EU dependency has ultimately set the stage for the current circumstance, as well as how recent disputes have halted progress to address those circumstances. Finally, it considers the current status of the EU energy crisis and proposes the next steps that the EU should take to efficiently reduce energy consumption in the short term, as well as alternative energy production in the long term.

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Chinese Investments in Latin America

Foreign Policy

April 30, 2023

Since the turn of the 21st century, China has strategically developed geopolitical interests within the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, with key investments in natural resources to many of the largest South American state-owned enterprises. China’s expansion of its investment portfolio within the region highlights China’s growing demand for raw materials, as well as efforts to consolidate political prowess within the region. This brief explains how China developed strong diplomatic and profitable relations within the LAC from the start of the 21st century to the status quo. It highlights prominent stances on the upsurge of Sino-Latin foreign relations, specifically emphasizing external global competitive forces. Furthermore, it explains pressing environmental and economic concerns regarding Chinese involvement within the LAC regions. Finally, it argues that the U.S. policy approach should challenge Chinese hegemony through competitive investments and focusing on relevant U.S.-Latin initiatives, rather than aggressive interruption or punitive disruption of existing Sino-Latin relations.

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Current Status of the War in Ukraine

Foreign Policy

April 10, 2022

Despite recent negotiations, Russian forces continue to occupy large portions of Ukraine. This brief details the status of the war from its beginning to recent development, with a specific focus on the validity of Russian claims of withdrawal from Ukraine. Finally, with consideration to U.S. interests in mitigating the conflict and ensuring domestic stabilization, the brief also proposes the next steps the U.S. should take to ensure effective economic and military pressure on Russia.

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Finland in NATO: Bolstering Arctic Defense & Baltic Stability

Foreign Policy

July 20, 2023

From World War II to the joint “friendship agreement” with the Soviet Union, Finland’s demonstration of remaining neutral in politics has been consistent through the decades. However, the long-standing policy of non-alignment with foreign countries has shifted in recent months. As Russian aggression sought to tear down Ukraine and the threat in neighboring countries grew, Finland moved swiftly to embrace collective security amid regional uncertainty. This brief traces the increasing political and diplomatic interception carried out by Finland over the years. It also details the increasing need for military infrastructure buildup in Finland along its borders and the need for caution against nuclearization in the region.

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Finland and Sweden NATO Accession

Foreign Policy

March 1, 2023

This brief details the rationale behind Finnish and Swedish accession to NATO, highlighting historical tensions between the Nordic nations and Russia, as well as obstacles Finland and Sweden face in the ratification of their accession. Finally, with regard to U.S. interests, it outlines the measures to ensure speedy ratification and clarification and clear communication of intent during the accession process.

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Israel-Hamas Conflict

Foreign Policy

December 23, 2023

The Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 were the largest single-day loss of life of Jewish people since the Holocaust, and represented the single deadliest day on Israeli soil since the state’s independence in 1948. Over 1,400 Israelis had been killed through a combination of attacks on suburban kibbutz communities and rural populations, including the Re’im Music Festival, bringing substantial social media attention to the attacks through victim-recorded footage.

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Korean Nuclear Proliferation

Foreign Policy

April 19, 2023

This brief explains how North Korea originally developed its nuclear program, as well as highlights the involvement of nations such as Russia and China. It also details how military aggression has stressed relations on the peninsula, with consideration to major actors such as Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. Lastly, it explains the possible repercussions of escalated tensions, noting the possibility of nuclear proliferation, as well as proposing the approach that the U.S. should take to attempt to de-escalate and, at the time, commit to its allies in the region.

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Sino-Italian Dilemma: Exit from the BRI

Foreign Policy

September 27, 2023

Giorgia Meloni was sworn in as Italy’s prime minister in October 2022. A co-founding member of the right-wing Brothers of Italy Party (Fratelli d’Italia), she was noted for controversial social issues and economic policy statements. Recently, Meloni shocked China with the recent announcement to pull out from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at bolstering infrastructure projects abroad with China’s surplus. Following the announcement, Meloni met up with the Biden administration, showing an apparent move to strengthen economic ties with the US rather than China in preparation for departure from a once-ambitious project. This brief analyzes the reasons behind Italy’s exit from BRI, reveals the diplomatic consequences Italy may have, and provides policy descriptions for maintaining concord with China.

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Remembering Afghanistan: Humanitarian Crisis

Foreign Policy

October 26, 2023

This brief covers the aftermath of the US military’s exit from Afghanistan in 2021, highlighting the ongoing refugee and humanitarian crisis within and internationally. It also recommends solutions to address existing and potential humanitarian problems.

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Strife and Autonomy: The Case of Nagorno-Karabakh

Foreign Policy

December 4, 2023

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one a deeply rooted dispute that has plagued the South Caucasus region for decades. It can be traced back to the early 20th century when the South Caucasus region was part of the Russian Empire. Following the Russian Revolution and the subsequent breakup of the empire, the region’s status became a flashpoint of contention between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The region, an ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan, emerged as a focal point of dispute as it tried to declare its autonomy and independence from the larger republic.

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U.S. Data Security against Chinese Counterintelligence

Foreign Policy

March 28, 2023

U.S. relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) were established in 1979 after the U.S. confirmed its recognition and established diplomatic ties. However, since then, relations between the two countries have been contentious, with the U.S. and China experiencing strict political and economic competition with each other. In an effort to gain the upper hand, both states have launched counterintelligence programs that focus on collecting data from tragically important nations. Both China and the U.S. have their own intelligence services focused on collecting information abroad; however, this brief will focus on Chinese counterintelligence efforts towards the U.S. Specifically, it aims to detail the actors involved in the creation of China’s intelligence programs, as well track the actions they have engaged in to collect crucial U.S. data. Furthermore, it highlights current events and respective positions, which it uses to predict possible issues that could arise with tensions between the two countries. Lastly, it considered how the U.S. should approach handling Chinese counterintelligence efforts.

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Wagner Mutiny and Russia’s Future

Foreign Policy

August 19, 2023

This brief covers how the Wagner mutiny came to be in Russia, revealing what the future holds for actors with vested interests and proposes policy options to help steer through uncertainties

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