The events of September 11, 2001, have had a marked effect on U.S. relations with Northeast Asia, but conditions and trends in that region are worthy of attention in their own right. Tensions in the Taiwan Straits, developments on the Korean peninsula, and the attempts of Asian governments to reverse economic declines all have importance for U.S. policy.
Political transitions in 2001, and the anticipation of leadership shifts in 2002, have also affected U.S.-Asian relations. This Forum will consider these issues, and mark the release of the 2001-2002 Brookings Northeast Asia Survey. The Survey is a collaborative effort among Asian and American scholars of the Brookings Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies (CNAPS). It analyzes key events in the region in the past year and offers perspectives and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Pacific.