Showing 1 - 7 of 7
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Asia Focus Team, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
Covid report card
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak and Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 04/05/2020
» Covid-19 has put countries around the world to an unprecedented test. As the outbreak that began in China enters its sixth month, many governments are still racing against time to curb the health and socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.
Something to celebrate
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 17/02/2020
» The Indonesian government has added another cultural event of its ethnic Chinese community to its official list of top attractions in a bid to lure more domestic and international tourists.
Ramayana weaves a trail across South and Southeast Asia
Asia focus, Narendra Kaushik, Published on 10/02/2020
» When Bala Venketeswara Rao Sankuratri, a researcher from Sri Lanka, proposed that about a dozen countries join together to issue a "Ramayana visa" for travellers, he found instant support in a hall packed with devotees of the Sanskrit epic and its regional variants.
On guard against terror
Asia focus, Erich Parpart and Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 03/02/2020
» When President Donald Trump ordered American troops to withdraw last October from northeastern Syria, critics said the decision would play into the hands of terrorists, with ramifications beyond the Middle East.
What's in a name?
Asia focus, Eunice Barbara C Novio, Published on 25/02/2019
» Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has never hidden his nostalgia for the iron-fisted rule of Ferdinand Marcos, and now he has revived one of the late dictator's favourite crusades.
Challenging times for Asean
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 25/02/2019
» These are challenging times for Southeast Asian countries. On the economic front, China's slowdown is becoming more pronounced, which could have dire consequences since it is Asean's largest export market and a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the region.