The Struggle for East Asia

• Date: 06 July
• Time: 19:30 - 21:00
• Location: Nieuwspoort

Please note: this is a Dutch-language event.

How Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea Protect Themselves Against China

While we worry about Putin and Trump every day, democracies on the other side of the world face an even greater challenge. Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are battling the same problems *and* must also deal with China and North Korea. How do they hold their own in an autocratic region?

In The Battle for East Asia, Remco Breuker and Casper Wits show how the three democracies effectively handle China's power and manage to withstand the pressure from their dictatorial neighbors. In what ways do the Asian middle powers protect their democracy, freedoms, and prosperity against the same dangers that threaten us?

From cyberattacks to trade wars and the threat of war, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have their own unique answer to the changing world. How do they deal with the unpredictable Trump? And what can we learn from them? *The Battle for East Asia* makes it clear that we must look to the East and cooperate with them if we want to protect our own democracy and prosperity. Remco and Casper co-authored the book *De kracht van middenmacht*, which will be released on June 15.

Remco Breuker is Professor of Korean Studies at Leiden University and author of works including De wereld volgens Noord-Korea, as well as creator of the podcasts K-Pod and Breuklijn Oost-Azië.

Casper Wits is a China and Japan expert, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Area Studies at Leiden University, and creator of the podcast Breuklijn Oost-Azië.

Freek Ewals will moderate the evening; he is a co-founder of Haagsch College and hosts K-Pod, the Korea Podcast with Remco Breuker. 

Practical information:

Date: July 6, 2026

Start: 19:30
End: 21:00
Regular tickets p.p. €19.50 and for Poorters / Nieuwspoort members €16.50 p.p.
Chef's special:

You can come for a bite to eat beforehand; to do so, order the Chef's Special for €16.50 in addition to your main ticket, and you are welcome in our restaurant from 18:00 onwards. You will find the special here soon.

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