In Asia: Weekly Insight and Features from Asia

...these strategic objectives might be in the effort to make U.S.-Thai relations more germane in a 21st-century world. John J. Brandon is director of Regional Cooperation Programs for The Asia Foundation in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at jbrandon@asiafound-dc.org. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and not necessarily those of The Asia Foundation....

...between China and the U.S. For this not to happen, a more stable U.S.-China relationship will be required. John J. Brandon is director of Regional Cooperation Programs for The Asia Foundation in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at jbrandon@asiafound-dc.org. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and not necessarily those of The Asia Foundation....

...2013 and beyond. Read Brandon’s past blogs on this and more....

...events and issues in Asia throughout 2012. Sincerely, Alma Freeman Editor, In Asia John Brandon blogs on changes under way in Burma (also known as Myanmar): “Optimism High, But Challenges Remain for Burma’s Future;” Kim Ninh reflects on a trip to Rangoon where she observes: “These are heady days for the country, with the government and the Parliament engaging in...

...future.” As President Obama prepares for his historic Southeast Asia trip, he is showing the world that Southeast Asia – and the Asia-Pacific region more broadly – is important to the United States’ strategic calculus and that American commitment to the region should remain consistent, not episodic. John J. Brandon is director of Regional Cooperation Programs for The Asia Foundation...

...hosted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at its headquarters in San Francisco. Watch a video of the event. John J. Brandon is director of Regional Cooperation Programs for The Asia Foundation in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at jbransdon@asiafound-dc.org. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and not necessarily those of The Asia Foundation....

...is an important contribution to this endeavor. Editor’s note: This version has been edited slightly from the original. John J. Brandon is director of Regional Cooperation Programs for The Asia Foundation in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at jbransdon@asiafound-dc.org. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and not necessarily those of The Asia Foundation....

...under successive autocratic and incompetent governments, but nonetheless have shown a remarkable resilience to endure. Hopefully, political and economic reforms, predicated on principles of good governance and rule of law, where citizens can voice their needs and aspirations, will allow Burma to prosper and thrive in the coming decades. The people of Burma deserve no less. John J. Brandon is...

...culture of learning can a nation truly embark on a path of sustainable economic activity and participatory governance. John J. Brandon is director of Regional Cooperation Programs for The Asia Foundation in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at jbransdon@asiafound-dc.org. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the individual author and not necessarily those of The Asia Foundation....

Below is an excerpt from an interview that first appeared on World Politics Review with John J. Brandon, director of Regional Cooperation Programs for The Asia Foundation in Washington, D.C. WPR: What is the current state of relations between Japan and Thailand? This year marks the 125th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand. Bilateral ties, particularly...