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Is There Hope for a North Korean Thaw?
Don't give up on Kim Jong-un, the cherubic naif who is North Korea's new supreme leader
North Korea’s stability is in question as the country tries to smoothly transition from the leadership of the late Kim Jong Il to that of his youngest son and chosen successor, Kim Jong Un
South Korean parliamentarian Kim Geun-Tae was a soft-spoken man dedicated to reunification of the Koreas
Natural Disasters Becoming Costlier Than Ever
Natural disasters in Asia in 2011 could well prove to be the costliest ever, experts say.
Philippines: More Evacuations in Flood-Hit Mindanao
Weeks after tropical storm Washi caused severe flooding on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, leaving over 1,200 dead and thousands homeless, thousands more people have been evacuated from their homes following fresh flooding
Renewed Focus on Pacific Region Intended to Distract from Unrest at Home?
What is at stake between China and the United States? We are on the opposite sides of the world with next to nothing to fight about. Industrial domination of the world? What does that actually mean, and what is it worth? Bragging rights about who is top nation? That's what Washington seems to care about
Burma Requires Alliance Between Armed and Nonviolent Resistance
To throw off the repression of its military regime, the people of Burma need a two-pronged approach
South China Sea Disputes: Why conflict is Not Inevitable
The South China Sea issue and China's position on it have become subjects of much deliberation, especially since the ASEAN Regional Forum Meeting at Hanoi last July. It is generally believed that the South China Sea will emerge as the hot-spot of conflict in the coming years. Here's why
How Space Technology Aids Flood Response
As residents across flood-ravaged Southeast Asia look up to the skies and brace for more rain, satellites 35,800 kilometers away are looking down on them
Second Lovers' Shooting Hits Largest Philippine Mall Operator
Two Filipinos are in critical condition following an apparent lovers' shooting incident. It was the second such incident to hit the largest mall operator in the Philippines within one week
Indonesia's Global Significance
Indonesia has become a geopolitical focus of three forces -- China, Islamists and the United States.
China has announced an ambitious five-year plan that includes the launch of space laboratories, a manned spaceship to the moon and the creation of its own global satellite navigation system that will almost certainly be used for military purposes
The only safe prediction about Burma's future is that any prediction will probably be incorrect
China's Looming Economic Crisis
The Chinese economy continues to grow at a fast pace. But signs of distress lurk just below the surface
Should United States Engage North Korea?
The United States has failed in its policies to punish, isolate, and otherwise push North Korea toward collapse. Perhaps it should try engagement instead
Cambodia: Schools and Students Struggle Post-Monsoon Floods
Schools damaged in Cambodia's worst monsoons in more than a decade may take up to a year to recover after flooding delayed the start of school for thousands of students nationwide
Aquino Off to U.S. for Open Government Partnership Launch
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III left for the U.S. to join the launching of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in New York City. The OGP is a global effort to make governments efficient and responsive to citizens by fighting corruption and promoting transparency
Aquino Orders Imprisonment of Former Philippine Military Comptroller
Former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller Gen. Carlos Garcia made Philippines history twice recently. He is the first two-star general to be sent to the national penitentiary. However, he is serving merely two years although he stole $7 million (PHP 303 million) from military coffers
Islamist Rampage Blamed in Bangladesh Riots
Islamists ran amok in the Bangladesh capital demanding release of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders detained to stand trial for war crimes
United States to Help Bangladesh Combat Bird Flu
Bangladesh has accepted an offer from the United States to combat the bird flu virus by developing 'seed virus,' a key ingredient to make a vaccine in an emergency
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's resignation after just eight months in office has triggered shock across Japan and raised new doubts about the country's political stability. The fact that a U.S. military base figured centrally in his decision has also generated concerns about the damage to the crucial relationship with Washington under his government.
Thailand: Authorities Boost Flood-Control Measures
The Thai government is pressing ahead with efforts to mitigate the risk of flooding during the upcoming rainy season, but greater coordination is still needed, flood experts say
Philippines: Geo-hazard Maps Go Public
The Philippine government has made geo-hazard maps, which outline areas prone to natural disasters, publicly available in a bid to reduce vulnerability at community level
Why Does America Defend the Weak and Small?
Only the United States seems to have an affinity for protecting tiny, vulnerable countries. Israelis, anti-communist Chinese, Kurds, Greeks and Armenians have a few things in common. They have relatively small populations, aggressive neighbors, few strong allies, many expatriates and refugees in the United States, and a tragic history of persecution and genocide
In seemingly yet another attempt to emphasise the benign nature of China's rise, the Information Office of the State Council released a white paper entitled 'China's Peaceful Development'
Thailand: Undocumented Workers Exploited Post Thai Floods
While the Burmese government has re-opened a key border checkpoint between Thailand and Myanmar to accommodate thousands of migrants fleeing Thailand's flooded factories, undocumented -- and now unemployed -- migrants face extortion and abuse as they try to return home
'Dramatic Developments' But Challenges Ahead for Myanmar
One year after Myanmar held its first election in 20 years, domestic and international opinion is still cautious about the prospects for meaningful change in this nation of more than 55 million people
China Forced to Temper Mercenary Approach to International Trade
China has been taking the code of Western corporations -- 'ye who enter the marketplace, abandon all ethics' -- to the next level
Latin America's Blind Love With China May Be Over
After a decade of record Latin American exports to China, which helped the region grow significantly despite the recent global recession, there are signs that the honeymoon may be coming to an end
China's Wealthiest Unfazed by Global Turmoil
The financial breakdown gripping most global economies today might have little effect or perhaps none at all to China's wealthiest
Recent months have witnessed renewed tensions over disputed territories in the South China Sea. In response to China's encroaching military maneuvers and the country's designation of the whole area as part of its indisputable sovereignty, several South East Asian countries have found themselves dangerously vulnerable
The people accept the autocratic Communist Party of China (CPC) regime with its corruption and minimal public participation, and the CPC regime delivers a continuous and rapid improvement in the economic standard of living. But that social contract is now at risk, as China is on an unsustainable path that will result in economic stagnation or decline in the coming decades
The Hype and the Reality of China's Economic Rise
The global economic crisis has turned out to be little more than a pothole on the road of China's economic growth. Most economists continue to predict rapid growth for the country well into the future. However, these predictions are at once cautious about the near future and optimistic about the distant future. By coincidence or design, they are moderated extrapolations of current trends
Stiglitz Upbeat About China and Latin America
Joseph Stiglitz is quite upbeat about Latin America, Asia and other emerging economies when I interviewed him extensively about the possibility of a new world recession
In the first quarter of 2011, the Japanese economy shrunk by 3.5 percent. Projections for the second quarter also call for further contraction, but experts are expecting a sharp pickup in growth in the second half of the year and in 2012 as the country rebuilds
Seoul Blasts Pyongyang For Fabricating Shelling Incident
Just a day after South Korea fired warning shots on North Korea in response to its shell firing near the disputed border, Seoul blasted Pyongyang for faking up the incident
North Korea Planned Assassination of South Korean Defense Minister
If media reports are to be believed, North Korea has plotted to kill South Korean defense minister Kim Kwan-Jin, who pledged to strongly respond to attacks from the communist state
Calls For End To Torture and Extrajudicial Killings By Bangladeshi Police
Continuing police torture and extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh need to be stamped out, say rights activists, officials and citizens
Muslim Rebels Seek Substate In Philippines
The presidential palace confirmed that Muslim rebel leaders proposed to President Benigno Aquino III the creation of a Muslim substate in the Philippines during their unannounced meeting in Tokyo, Japan
DOJ Places Former Philippine President On Immigration Watchlist
On the order of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the Bureau of Immigration placed on its watchlist former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Korean Tensions: Waiting for China
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, after a measured response to the sinking of a South Korean naval vessel two months ago, announced Seoul's own actions, including a freeze in trade with the North. Lee also said that should another such incident occur, South Korea would take all steps necessary for self defense
Asia Economy: Tamed Asian Tigers, Distressed Chinese Dragon
Since the 1960s, Asian economies have focused primarily on exports. It was the key to success in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. Much of Southeast Asia and China soon followed suit. Over the past decade, the region's exports have increased from 37 percent to 47 percent of GDP. By hitching their wagons to exports, however, Asian countries left themselves vulnerable to a drop-off in Western consumption
A New Kind of Korea: Building Trust Between Seoul and Pyongyang
Kim Jong Il's Visit to Russia: Just More Mixed Messages?
North Korea Accuses South Korea of Plotting to Destroy Its Socialist System