Matthew Arnold

Happy New Year, and welcome to the first edition of InAsia for 2020. To herald the new decade, our country representatives this week survey the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for a dynamic and rapidly changing Asia. Here, to kick off the new year, are perspectives from The Asia Foundation’s 18 country offices. 

Happy New Year, and welcome to the first edition of InAsia for 2019. In our last issue we looked at some of our top stories from the year just ended, stories that chronicled the successes and failures, the triumphs, and the tribulations of 2018 through the eyes of our experts in Asia. This week, we invite you to look ahead with us to a still-young… Read more

Decentralization critical for building a more accountable, responsive, and participatory Myanmar The Asia Foundation released a new edition of its flagship State and Region Governments in Myanmar report in a launch event in Yangon today. State and region governments that are accountable, participatory, and responsive can give people more power and… Read more

The Asia Foundation announces the appointment of Matthew Arnold as country representative in Myanmar. In this role, he oversees the Foundation’s development programs in Myanmar, focused on strengthening institutions and practices of democratic governance, supporting the peace process, promoting women’s empowerment and political participation, stren… Read more

As Myanmar’s fitful democratic transition moves forward, many observers are torn between early, high hopes for the end of military rule and a growing pessimism about wider democratic, economic, and social reforms. In the international community, much of this pessimism is a result of the dire and well-publicized situation in Rakhine State and the re… Read more

Since 2011, Myanmar has undergone a daunting transition from entrenched military rule to a more democratic form of governance that can address longstanding political, economic and social fissures. As the transition continues, what has become increasingly clear is that one of the biggest challenges for the government is how to solve technical proble… Read more

Following decades of military dictatorship, Myanmar is now confronting a range of reform challenges, particularly in public administration of government services. As the military distances itself from day-to-day involvement in local governance, the new government is working to make government agencies more accountable and deliver better social serv… Read more