The Diplomat: " ‘Golden Kamuy’ and Modern Russo-Japanese Relations "

 

 

"‘Golden Kamuy’ and Modern Russo-Japanese Relation"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Marin Ekstrom

 Tokyo Report

The Diplomat

11 August, 2026

Published: https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/golden-kamuy-and-modern-russo-japanese-relations/ 

 

The manga-turned-anime serves as an important pop cultural piece in understanding Japan’s place in the world, most specifically its historic role with Russia and their Northeast Asian borderlands.  

 

The Interpreter: "Tokyo’s runway into Central Asia"

 

 "Tokyo’s runway into Central Asia"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Marin Ekstrom

The Interpreter - Lowy Institute

24 July 2026

Published:  https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/tokyo-s-runway-into-central-asia

 

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the two most economically developed Central Asian nations, are ambitiously expanding their commercial aviation infrastructure and fleets to make their airports and airlines more globally renowned. One of the key partners in these countries’ infrastructure transformation is Japan. 

 

Modern Diplomacy: "Japan and South Korea: Vital partners in the New Uzbekistan"

 

 

 

"Japan and South Korea: Vital partners in the New Uzbekistan"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Marin Ekstrom

Modern Diplomacy

28 October 2025

Published: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/10/29/japan-and-south-korea-vital-partners-in-the-new-uzbekistan/

Uzbekistan has recently commenced construction of a new airport in Tashkent, valued at $2.5 billion, as a symbol of the country’s reinvention.

 

Uzbekistan has recently commenced construction of a new airport in Tashkent, valued at $2.5 billion, as a symbol of the country’s reinvention. The project, slated to begin operations in 2029, aims to serve as Central Asia’s key aviation hub by supporting more than 40 take-offs and landings per hour and serving 20 million passengers annually. Economists predict that increased air traffic at the airport could generate $27 billion in annual revenue and create thousands of new jobs.

To achieve this ambitious goal, Tokyo and Seoul will be critical partners: Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, which has extensive experience in the aviation sector, has agreed to invest millions of dollars and share technical expertise. As for South Korea, the Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) signed a $24.5 million consulting contract to provide operational and service support for the development of the new Tashkent airport.

 

Shephard: "Regent’s Viceroy targets “early March” for US Marine-aided sea trials"

 

"Regent’s Viceroy targets “early March” for US Marine-aided sea trials"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard

11 February, 2025

Published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/regents-viceroy-aims-at-early-march-for-us-marine-aided-sea-trials/

The sea trials will focus on de-risking the seaglider with US Marine involvement after Regent signed a partnership to help develop the prototype, against a backdrop of growing military interest from the UK and Japan.

 

Modern Diplomacy: "The year of Japan-CARICOM Friendship"

 "The year of Japan-CARICOM Friendship"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

East Asia

Modern Diplomacy

23 January, 2025

Published: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/01/23/the-year-of-japan-caricom-friendship/

Last year was the Japan-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Friendship Year, aimed at strengthening relations between Tokyo and this important 15-member bloc. Analyses about extra-regional nations with Western Hemisphere states tend to focus on the mainland, namely Latin America. Hence, Tokyo’s interest in engaging the Caribbean, an often-overlooked region, deserves praise and analysis.

The Japan-CARICOM Year had three pillars: cooperation towards sustainable development, including overcoming vulnerabilities particular to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which include CARICOM members; deepening and expanding bonds; and cooperation on global challenges. The Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year also commemorated the 30th anniversary of Japan-CARICOM relations and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica & Trinidad and Tobago.

 

 

 

The Diplomat: " Navigating Next-Gen Air Power in the Indo-Pacific"

 

"Navigating Next-Gen Air Power in the Indo-Pacific"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Asia Defense

The Diplomat

15 July 2024

Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/navigating-next-gen-air-power-in-the-indo-pacific/

The United States’ Indo-Pacific adversaries are already working on their next-generation fighter jets. Washington can’t fall behind.

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The Interpreter: "The message Japan sends by backing Ukraine"

 

"The message Japan sends by backing Ukraine"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Marin Ekstrom

The Interpreter

Lowy Institute

25 March 2024

Originally published: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/message-japan-sends-backing-ukraine 

An evolving foreign and defence policy is on display.

Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Japan has emerged as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. The notoriously immigration-resistant Japan has so far accepted 2,500 Ukrainian refugees. In recognition that Ukraine will face a daunting reconstruction process, Japanese and Ukrainian government and business officials gathered for the “Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction” in February this year. As part of the gathering, 56 cooperation agreements were signed to develop infrastructure, target critical economic sectors for growth, and expand overall trade.

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The Diplomat: " Japan’s Role in Healing the Aral Sea and Engaging Central Asia "

 

"Japan’s Role in Healing the Aral Sea and Engaging Central Asia"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Marin Ekstrom

Crossroads Asia

The Diplomat

20 February, 2024

Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2024/02/japans-role-in-healing-the-aral-sea-and-engaging-central-asia/

Tokyo is a quiet but important partner to Central Asia, with notable engagement on projects related to the Aral Sea.

 

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Geopolitical Monitor: Angola Bets on Critical Minerals and the Lobito Corridor

 

"Angola Bets on Critical Minerals and the Lobito Corridor"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

28 September, 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/angola-bets-on-critical-minerals-and-the-lobito-corridor/

The African continent has many, many natural resources, which are highly coveted by the rest of the globe, including critical minerals (CMs). Angola, a country already known for its oil wealth, will soon have a more significant role in the global race to access critical minerals.

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IPD: China Has a New Military Base in Djibouti. Here’s why it Matters

China Has a New Military Base in Djibouti. Here’s why it Matters

By: W. Alex Sanchez & Scott Morgan
International Policy Digest
August 11, 2017
Originally published: https://intpolicydigest.org/2017/08/11/china-military-base-djibouti/

The People’s Republic of China has inaugurated its first military base overseas in the Republic of Djibouti. The project further cements Beijing’s interest in the African continent, and exemplifies how the latter continues to be utilized as part of a geopolitical game of influences by global military powers.

China’s Base

Beijing has stated that the base will be utilized to monitor maritime commerce that crosses the Suez Canal and passes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden into the Indian Ocean. A July 11 article by Xinhua explains that “the base will ensure China’s performance of missions, such as escorting, peace-keeping and humanitarian aid in Africa and west Asia” and also it will “be conducive to overseas tasks including military cooperation, joint exercises, evacuating and protecting overseas Chinese and emergency rescue, as well as jointly maintaining security of international strategic seaways.” The base was inaugurated on 1 August and the Beijing – Djibouti deal will reportedly last until 2026.

There are certainly valid reasons for the project, as pirates off the coast of Somalia have targeted civilian vessels for years. As a response, the Europe Union created the Naval Force Operation Atalanta, to combat piracy in the Horn of Africa. Apart from European navies, countries like Colombia and China have also provided vessels to protect this important maritime route. China is particularly at risk of suffering if maritime trade through the Indian Ocean suffers, as the Asian giant imports much of its resources.

As for the facilities, they are supposed to be a port for Chinese naval platforms to dock, resupply and continue their patrolling operations. Nevertheless, the complex appears to be suited for other tasks. The renowned company Stratfor published on 26 July an assessment of the base, which included aerial photos of the facilities. The article explains how the base has an “extensive security perimeter, which features three layers of defense,” as well as “a large underground component [which] measures approximately 23,000 square meters.” Stratfor also explains that there is a “tarmac and a row of eight hangars which suggest that aircraft such as helicopters could be based there someday. However, it is unlikely that the facility will host fixed-wing aircraft because at 400 meters the tarmac is much too short to accommodate fighter jets or even larger drones.”

Indeed, China’s first base abroad should be regarded as a major, well-defended complex.

Bases-A-Plenty

To be fair, China is not the sole hemispheric power to have military facilities in the African continent. In fact, the U.S. already has a base in Djibouti: the US Naval Expeditionary Base, situated at Djibouti’s Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport, also known as Camp Lemonnier which is shared with France. France also has access to naval base of Héron; Italy has BMNS-Base Militare Nazionale di Supporto (National Support Military Base); while Japan’s defense facilities are called Deployment Airforce for Counter-Piracy Enforcement (DAPE). In other words, five nations, out of which three are nuclear powers, with Tokyo and Washington having issues (to phrase it mildly) with Beijing, have facilities in a country measuring approximately 23,200 km2.

While it is outside of this commentary’s analysis, one must wonder what is the rationale of President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (in power since 1999 and re-elected in 2016 for a fourth term) to allow five countries, to have military deployments in his nation’s territory. One of the explanations has to be financial as the leased military bases to the five nations will add funds to the coffers of the country. Secondly these bases could discourage Eritrea from any further adventures as border issues between the neighbors escalate. Of course this also means that the quality of the Djiboutian military will improve as well as the foreign powers will probably carry out training operations with local forces.

Moreover it is worth noting, the U.S. has several other bases across the continent, known as Forward Operating Locations (FOLs) and Cooperative Security Locations (CSLs). As for France, the European nation has become very involved in Mali to combat al-Qaeda linked groups. A May 19, 2012 report by Al Jazeera highlights how Paris has “1,600 French soldiers stationed [in Mali], on the largest French military base outside of France.” Additionally, France has a base in Gabon. India, another rising global power like China, has the Indian Overseas Military Base at Assumption Island in the Seychelles. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has British Army Training Unit in Kenya and the International Military Assistance Training Team (IMATT) in Sierra Leone. Similarly, recent reports hint at Turkey opening up training facilities in Somalia with plans announced recently to open an additional facility in said country.

Finally, it is important to note that the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are increasingly active in Africa as well. As one of the co-authors has pointed out previously, the GCC “recognize[s] that across Africa’s Muslim-majority countries a host of violent and extremist Islamic groups pose a dire threat to Arabian Peninsula security and GCC interests in Africa.” The UAE has already opened up a base in Somaliland region, and it will be interesting to see if other GCC nations take similar initiatives in the near future.

21st Century Military Geopolitics

Today, the Africa continent constitutes 54 independent nations (depending on whether to count Somalia as a single state, which is another issue). Nevertheless, while the era of colonialism is over, neo-colonialism seems to be alive and well. There are a plethora of works in recent years about how Africa continues to be taken advantage of, with very little trickling down to benefit the masses. For example, Tom Burgis’ The Looting Machine discusses the role of transnational companies that profit from Africa’s natural resources.

Moreover, various extra-hemispheric governments have increased their presence in Africa by establishing military facilities to battle specific security threats (mostly rebels, pirates or terrorist movements) but which have the added bonus of creating strong defense-related bonds between the host country and the outside power. The United States, by far, has the biggest military presence in Africa in terms of number of bases as well as personnel (though figuring out an exact number is tricky given the secrecy of these deployments). However former colonial powers like France, Italy and the UK, as well as non-Western states like India, Japan, Turkey and GCC states also have defense roles in the region. Hence, it should not be a surprise that China is establishing a base in Africa, as Beijing is simply following a pattern established by several other nations.

With that said, there is the obvious concern about how the ongoing mistrust and animosity between Washington and Beijing will play out in Djibouti. Will the facilities of both nations manage to co-exist peacefully as they are there, at least theoretically, to face common security threats?

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect any institutions with which the authors are associated.

VOXXI: Russia gives Cuba debt bailout

Russia Gives Cuba Debt Bailout
W. Alejandro Sanchez
VOXXI
December 13, 2013
Originally published: http://voxxi.com/2013/12/13/russia-gives-cuba-debt-bailout/

In a major development in Cuban foreign affairs (more meaningful than the recent feature story of a handshake between President Obama and President Castro), the Russian Federation has forgiven 90% of Cuba’s debt with Moscow. The agreement, which was announced this past Tuesday, December 10, means that the debt has been reduced from $32 billion to $3.2 billion.

Moscow-Havana Relation

Throughout the Cold War, the Cuban regime (then under the rule of the iconic Fidel Castro) was the Soviet Union’s closest ally in the Western Hemisphere, which translated into Moscow providing significant amounts of economic and military assistance to the Castro Regime.

Nevertheless, the dissolution of the USSR and its economic meltdown meant that Havana could no longer support the Cuban economy. Unsurprisingly, the Cuban economy collapsed and a harsh period of austerity followed. The 1990s are known in Cuba as the “lost decade.”

In recent years, Cuba’s economy has slowly improved while the Castro brothers, particularly Raul, have made timid attempts at liberalizing the economy, allowing for the growth of a middle class and the private ownership of businesses.

In 2007, this author published a comprehensive analysis in the academic journal Cuban Affairs, in which Cuban-Russian relations were discussed in the post-Cold War era. In the article, I argued that Russia’s relations with Cuba in modern times resembled a capitalist relationship more than an ideological one.

In other words, Russia will gladly provide Cuba with whatever goods and services it needs, so long as Havana has the finances to pay for them. The era of major financial assistance based on grounds of a common political ideology between the two countries is over.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spelled out as much in his July 2012 meeting with President Castro in Moscow.

Putin stated that “our relations have gone through various periods […] Today, they are becoming more pragmatic [...]” The lack of a common ideology notwithstanding, friendliness between the two governments does exist. Moreover, Russia wants to capitalize in the near future off the still Moscow-friendly (and Washington-indifferent) government in Havana.

This is perhaps best exemplified by the diplomatic meetings that Russian officials routinely make to the Caribbean island; take, for example, Putin’s visit to Cuba in 2001. This trip was memorable because the Russian leader closed Russia’s radar base in Lourdes, which had been a beacon of USSR espionage operations on the U.S. during the Cold War.

More recently, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited the island this past February, in which the debt deal was discussed.

Additionally, two Russian warships, the “Moskva” and the “Vice Admiral Kulakov,” docked in Havana’s port this past August as part of a mission to improve bilateral security ties.

As for trade initiatives, the Russian news agencyRussia Today praised bilateral ties, stating “Cuba remains a strong ally of Russia, with trade between the two countries at about $200 million last year.”

In other words, while Cuban-Russian relations over the past decade can at most be described as “modest,” as no major initiatives have been orchestrated (apart from the debt deal), Havana has not been fully forgotten by Moscow.

Future Expectations

The question now becomes: how should the Russian-Cuban agreement be interpreted? Cuba now has a decade to pay off the remaining three billion. Under the new debt deal, Cuba will have to pay $320 million annually for the next decade.

This amount is still quite significant for the Cuban economy. The country’s 2012 GDP was estimated at around $121 billion (according to the CIA Factbook), so this new debt is much more manageable.

To be fair, it should be noted that Cuba still owes billions in foreign debt to other nations and the Cuban government is trying to improve its international financial credibility by re-structuring its debt.

If Raul Castro does leave the Cuban presidency in 2018, thanks to these deals, he will leave the next generation of Cuban leaders a country in a better economic situation.

The Russian legislative will now have to vote on the deal, probably early in 2014. Given that President Putin seems to approve it, there is no reason to believe that Putin’s Duma will not follow suit.

With that said, it is necessary to wonder if this deal has additional elements that have not been made public. Offshore oil exploration is the first thing that comes to mind.

For years, several companies, including Russia’s Zarubezhneft, have been searching for oil in Cuba’s waters, but nothing has been found so far. It is widely regarded that if major quantities of oil are found, this could be a game changer for the Cuban economy and will make the company in charge of extraction very rich.

Russia’s pardoning of most of Cuba’s debt could be a sign of greater things to come and a more lasting Russian influence in the Caribbean state, apart from dollars and cents in debt.