James Borton and Rodger Baker: Science Diplomacy and The Ecological Implications of The South China Sea

This episode features James Borton and Rodger Baker, the co-authors of the South China Sea Maritime Survey, a survey that aims to “underscore the urgency to examine the benefits and prospects of science-led initiatives in light of the unfolding climate and ecological changes occurring in the region (Source: RANE Marcom blog).”

James Borton is a Senior Fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Foreign Policy Institute. He is also an independent environmental policy writer and former foreign correspondent for The Washington Times, based in Hong Kong. He contributes regularly to Asia Sentinel, Asia Times, East Asia Forum, Geopolitical Monitor, Nikkei Asian Review, The South China Morning Post, Project Syndicate, and World Politics Review. He was a past National Endowment Humanities Fellow at Yale University. He has been a non-resident fellow at the Stimson Center and Tufts University Science Diplomacy Center and has participated in numerous South China Sea conferences. He also co-founded the Mekong Environment Forum in Can Tho, Vietnam. His latest book, Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground, was published in 2021. He has a B.A. and an M.A. with honors in American Studies from the University of Maryland.

Rodger Baker is the executive director of the Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics at RANE, a global center of excellence for geopolitical intelligence and analysis. Baker is one of the world's leading experts on North Korea and has dedicated extended periods of time living and working in and around the Korean Peninsula. His core emphasis is the multidisciplinary approach to geopolitics and the evolution of international relations to develop mid-and long-term forecasts to assist companies, governments, and other globally engaged organizations make informed decisions. Baker holds a master's degree in military history from Norwich University, the oldest private military university in the United States. He has studied and worked in South Korea and graduated with honors from Southampton College, Long Island University. 

Mr. Borton and Mr. Baker speak to Amelie about the underlying environmental factors involved in the South China Sea, and the necessity for science diplomacy and cooperation in the contested area.

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