Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, offered comments June 29 on Indus News on disputes in the South China Sea. Professor Larus indicated that a late June statement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) affirming that international law should be the basis for determining sovereignty and entitlements in the South China Sea is a rebuke of China’s claim to the vast waters on historical grounds. Dr. Larus indicated that previous statements on the South China Sea either were retracted or did not name China, and that the June 2020 statement was a rare instance of unity among Southeast Asian nations in the face of Chinese aggression.

Professor Larus’s commentary begins 20 minutes into the program.

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, commented on Taiwan and U.S. politics on Squawk Box Asia, CNBC Asia, on June 9, 2020. Overblown promises, an ambitious presidential bid, efforts to move Taiwan closer to China, and the HK protests all contributed to the historic recall of Han Kuo-yu, mayor of Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s critical industrial city. Regarding the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Larus claimed that a Democratic administration may not be much kinder to China than the Trump administration.

View part of the interview at  athttps://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/06/09/china-should-not-expect-an-easier-relationship-with-biden-professor.html

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, commented on pending torpedo sales to Taiwan. Dr. Larus explained that the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act legally obligates the United States to sell arms to Taiwan to defend itself against military threat. The torpedo sales, announced on the day of Tsai Ing-wen’s presidential inauguration, sends a political signal that the United States is upholding a longstanding commitment to a democratic ally.

Larus’ commentary begins at 16 minutes into the program at https://youtu.be/X4bvwmP1OFw.

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Fulbright Scholar offered comments on Indus News on U.S. protests over coronavirus-related measures. Professor Larus claims that U.S. citizens are within their constitutional rights to assembly and freedom speech in protesting excessive lockdown measures imposed by some governors. View the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZwFvwG7bpo