In The News
Muslim Mindanao’s Cadre of New Leaders and Managers
May 1, 2013
When we hear about the current slow pace of negotiations between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, we can lose sight of the many concrete achievements made over the years. As peacemakers on both sides of the negotiating table try to learn lessons from past peace efforts…
Topics: Conflict and Fragile Conditions | Elections | Governance | International Development | Peacebuilding in Asia | Regional Cooperation
Countries: Malaysia | Philippines
Dignity in International Relations
April 24, 2013
Recent vituperative comments by the North Korean regime can normally be dismissed as the ravings of a state that either misinterprets their negative external impact, or as rhetoric that is intended for consumption by a remarkably unsophisticated internal audience.
Topics: Conflict and Fragile Conditions | Governance | International Development | Washington DC
Countries: China | North Korea
China Shows Progress on Environmental Information Transparency
April 17, 2013
Following the news on environmental issues here in China can be a grim business. The first months of 2013 alone brought coverage of January’s “airpocalypse,” when air pollution in Beijing reached historic levels; news of thousands of dead pigs floating in the Huangpu River, a primary source of Shanghai’s drinking water; and a new report indicating that China sees 1.2 million premature deaths each year due to outdoor air pollution – almost 40 percent of the world’s total of such deaths. Amid such bleak headlines, it can be easy to miss any kind of progress. However, a report released in late March does show progress on an issue that many experts consider crucial to long-term and sustained improvement of environmental outcomes…
Topics: Earth Day | Environment | Governance | Law | Transparency
Countries: China
Will Asia Fall Into an Energy Gap?
April 17, 2013
Last week, the Asian Development Bank released its annual “Asian Development Outlook” report for 2013, with Asia’s success story of unprecedented growth in the last decades forecast to grow by 6.6 percent in 2013 and 6.7 percent in 2014.
Topics: ASEAN | Earth Day | Economic Development | Environment | Regional Cooperation | Washington DC
Philippine Peace Process Forges Ahead in Malaysia Despite Sabah Conflict
April 10, 2013
Since the International Contact Group was formed in late 2009 to work with the Malaysian Facilitator in peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), I have traveled back and forth to Kuala Lumpur often.
Topics: Conflict and Fragile Conditions | Elections | Governance
Countries: Malaysia | Philippines
The Next Asian Tiger? A Conversation with U.S. Amb. to Bangladesh Dan Mozena
March 27, 2013
The Asia Foundation recently hosted U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dan W. Mozena, for an informal lunch discussion at its San Francisco headquarters, followed by a public event organized by the Foundation’s Washington, D.C., office.
Topics: Economic Development | International Development | Regional Cooperation | Technology & Development | Washington DC
Countries: Bangladesh
Two Nations, One Friendship: But is It Still Special?
March 20, 2013
Today, March 20, marks the 180th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, making the U.S. bilateral relationship with Thailand the longest uninterrupted diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and any Asian nation. The Thai-American Chamber of Commerce’s theme for 2013 commemorating 180 years of relations…
Topics: ASEAN | Economic Development | Governance | Regional Cooperation | Washington DC
Countries: Thailand
Where are Malaysia’s Women Politicians?
March 13, 2013
Malaysia’s 13th general elections must be called by June 2013. After the ruling Barisan Nasional lost its two thirds majority in the 2008 elections, the big question in the minds of citizens and political parties is whether BN will recapture its majority or lose further ground to the opposition.
Topics: Economic Development | Elections | Governance | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Malaysia
SBS Shakes up Voter Malaise in Korea
March 13, 2013
The inauguration ceremony of South Korea’s new president, Park Geun-hye, was held on February 25 with mixed feelings among Koreans about her election. She is the daughter of the controversial former president, Park Chung Hee…
Topics: Elections | Media | Social Media | Technology & Development | Washington DC
Countries: Korea
New Sexual Assault Laws in India: Only the Beginning
March 6, 2013
The violent attack on a young woman in New Delhi last December, and the nationwide protests that followed, were yet another indication that India’s youth are increasingly fed up. This case, piled upon countless other commonplace incidents of sexual violence directed at women and children throughout the country…
Topics: Governance | Human Rights | International Women's Day | Women's Empowerment
Countries: India

