Good News, Bad News and the Axis of Evil
Today's good news:
BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Japan visit warms ties with China
At a meeting in the capital, both sides said they hoped to overcome tensions that have hampered progress on trade, territorial and energy disputes.
The two nations also agreed that it would be "unacceptable" for North Korea to conduct a nuclear test, Mr Abe said.
And bad news:
BBC NEWS | Europe | Iran rejects six nations' demands
Iran has refused to suspend its uranium enrichment programme after six key countries agreed to discuss possible sanctions against Tehran.
A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry said suspension was "unacceptable" and the threat of sanctions "inefficient".
Who's got the back seat in both these stories? That's right - America. Traditionally, the new Japanese premier makes his first trip to Washington; by choosing Beijing instead, Shinzo Abe not only makes much-needed conciliatory overtures but a statement of realpolitik that the US is losing influence in the region. Same goes for Iran: the situation is governed by what China and Russia do, not America.
