I was in Seoul the other day. In London politicians were arguing about whether Britain should sue for divorce from its European partners. In South Korea the conversation was about when its northern neighbour would choose to test-fire another missile and explode another nuclear bomb. Europe has its problems. They can look small against the challenges elsewhere.
It is a commonplace to say the history of the 21st century will be written in Asia. Whether it is peaceful or otherwise will probably depend on whether the US and China can avoid inevitable competition turning into an uncontrolled collision. The handling by the two great powers of Kim Jong Un’s despotic regime in North Korea is an important test; with a different mindset it could also be an opportunity.
The omens are not encouraging. Sino-Japanese tensions in the East China Sea sit next to Beijing’s maritime assertiveness as it solidifies its territorial claims in the South China Sea and alongside Mr Kim’s declared aim of turning North Korea into a fully fledged nuclear weapons state. The straits of Taiwan are an enduring potential flashpoint. Military spending in the region has surpassed that of Europe.