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Challenges facing the most populous nation with its fast-growing economy could quickly become global problems. This two-part YaleGlobal series analyzes trends and challenges for China as well as the potential [...]

Ties between individuals and institutions in the United States and the People’s Republic of China have become broader, deeper, and stronger during the four decades since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1979 and the relationship can no longer be described as fragile. However, it also cannot yet be considered a normal relationship, at least not from the perspective of American citizens, companies, and commentators on international affairs. The relationship between the two largest economies and military powers has many asymmetries. Chinese citizens and organizations have far greater access to the United States than Americans do to China and ordinary Americans increasingly perceive the relationship as unbalanced and unfair. The American business community, long the strongest supporter of U.S. engagement with China, has been alienated by Chinese actions and attitudes and, no longer, acts as a counterbalance to other constituencies dissatisfied with aspects of the relationship. The relationship is fractious but not destined for conflict. We have learned to solve or manage conflicts, but it is becoming harder to do so.

In November, Forbes dubbed Hu Jintao the world's most powerful person. One might quibble with that ranking, or the magazine's bald assertion that the Chinese president can single-handedly 'divert rivers, [...]

The author discusses the unusual aspects of the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the Iranian nuclear program from 2007 to show the difficult work of the intelligence analysts like him. He criticizes the impact of the estimate, the White House's instruction to the Intelligence Community (IC) to declassify the key judgments, and the reaction to a NIE's finding. He also comments on the IC's integrity and objectivity and the safeguards to prevent politicization of intelligence function.

The author discusses U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) reform. He stresses the need to implement transformational reform within a budget while considering potential consequences of this change to IC agencies and missions. While the proposal of establishing a single IC agency would possibly make it efficient, he explains that delivery of intelligence support to the diverse customers of IC will suffer. He also emphasizes the necessity of establishing the Director of Natural Intelligence position.

Two letters to the editor in response to articles in previous issues including "Virtually Normal," and "Under Analysis," both from the May 29, 2006 issue are presented.

December 15, 1978, marks the formal beginning of a new era in Sino-American relations. A ten-year search for mutually acceptable terms ended with a joint communique announcing that "the United States of America and the People's Republic of China have agreed to recognize each other and to establish diplomatic relations as of January 1, 1979." (Document 1) (1). This event is commonly described as the "normalization of relations"; however, normalization is more accurately viewed as a process than as a single act. The process began in the winter of 1968-69 when for different reasons senior officials in Washington and Beijing determined to move away from the state of animosity that had existed since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949. On the American side, Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger recognized the desirability and the possibility of improving relations with the government of Mao Zedong. But this was a two-way street. Nixon's overtures succeeded where those of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson had failed because key Chinese leaders also were eager to reduce tensions and improve relations with the United States (2).

An essay on the rise of China as a great power nation, the quest of Japan in terms of security and economy, and the impact of both on South Korea-U.S. co-operation is presented. It discusses the role of the U.S., allies and economic partners in the rise of China, the dependent of China in the global system, concerns on the rise of China, and the need for bilateral and multilateral co-operation to manage the challenges from North Korea.

A review of the article "Communicating Uncertainty: Fulfilling the Duty to Inform," by Baruch Fischhoff, which appeared in the Summer 2012 issue of this periodical, is presented.