In Asia: Weekly Insight and Features from Asia

Recently on assignment with The Asia Foundation to document pre-election seminars designed to mitigate election violence in the Philippines, renowned photojournalist Karl Grobl blogs about the massacre in Mindanao that left close to 60 people dead and a nation in turmoil. View more of his photos of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders in their [...]

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On November 3, Give2Asia in partnership with The Asia Foundation hosted leaders from the private philanthropy sector in China and the U.S. to share experiences and discuss recent trends in philanthropy. The visit was part of a week-long program organized by Mercy Corps China’s Social Innovator Leadership program to engage with the future leaders of [...]

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We welcome President Barack Obama with open arms, not just out of customary habit among friends. South Koreans share the world’s interest in President Obama’s global activities because he embodies a new path for the United States in international relations as well as in ties with old allies like us.

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South Korea is highly motivated to play the roles of host and chair of the G20 in 2010, following Britain’s chairmanship in 2009. This is a historic moment since it will be the first time that a non-G7 country has been engaged in leading global financial coordination efforts. There is much at stake for Korea [...]

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With Hamid Karzai declared the winner of Afghanistan’s highly controversial presidential election, President Obama’s decision regarding future U.S. policy toward that country is considered imminent. As part of his deliberations, Mr. Obama has received the assessment of his military commanders, the advice of his top civilian leaders, and the views of NATO allies, among others. [...]

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President Obama will wrap up his Asia trip with a visit to South Korea today, where negotiations over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions will undoubtedly be high on the list of talking points. Perhaps not on the agenda, but on the minds of both leaders are the mounting development challenges around the globe. To address such [...]

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In Bangladesh’s ancient capital, along the banks of the Meghna River, two groups of formerly nomadic people have settled. They have survived for decades without electricity, basic services, or access to schools. One made home on the small island of Mayadip in the early 1980s, after massive flooding in the south displaced them, and they [...]

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Kurunegala, the capital of Sri Lanka’s Northwestern province, derives its name from an elephant-shaped rock, reaching 316 meters at an altitude of 116 meters above sea level. Situated 94 kilometers from Colombo, the region is known for its huge, rocky outcrops that charm visitors with their resemblance to different animal shapes. Its proximity to a [...]

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The National Library of the Philippines stands in the center of Manila as a grand monument and national resource center to the country’s hero José Rizal, a doctor, writer, reformist, and proclaimed hero of the Philippine Revolution. Formally observed as the National Library in 1901, the library moved into its existing building, inaugurated by President [...]

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This week Barack Obama will make his first trip to Asia as President of the United States. In addition to paying state visits to China, Japan, and South Korea, President Obama will meet with 20 national leaders in Singapore to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Although member countries vary in economic clout [...]

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