Showing 1 - 10 of 14
Myanmar's twin crises loom
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 01/08/2022
» While the rest of the world continues to be preoccupied by Covid-19 and fallout from Russia-Ukraine war, the downward spiral of Myanmar continues. A once-promising frontier market risks slipping into a Sri Lanka-like economic crisis, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis created by the cruelty of its military junta.
The power and poison of modern monetary theory
Asia focus, Koichi Hamada, Published on 24/01/2022
» When Democratic Senator Joe Manchin announced that he would not support the Build Back Better Act -- effectively dooming US President Joe Biden's signature legislative initiative -- he cited America's "staggering debt".
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.
Asean's next move
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 29/11/2021
» The coronavirus pandemic has taken a severe toll on Asean countries again this year, with millions infected and tens of thousands of fatalities. While the worst of the surge appears to have passed, recovery will depend on pandemic management, especially the pace and efficacy of vaccinations, and response to the risks of new variants emerging.
Xi-Biden summit a hopeful sign
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 15/11/2021
» As the US and China stake out rival security strategies in the Asia-Pacific region, notably on Taiwan, the world takes heart from comments by Chinese President Xi Jinping that Beijing is ready to manage differences with Washington as the leaders of the two superpowers prepare to meet virtually today, the first since US President Joe Biden took office in January.
Sport and sexism in Japan
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 22/02/2021
» Congratulations to Seiko Hashimoto, Japan's former Olympics minister, who has taken the helm of the troubled Tokyo Games, after her predecessor quit amid an uproar over his sexist remarks.
Asia's century, China's year
Asia focus, Asia Focus team, Published on 30/12/2019
» Way back when 1999 was winding down, pundits were telling us that the Asian Century was about to dawn. That prediction has not yet been fully realised, but few would disagree that 2019 belonged to China. Over the past 12 months, the top headlines have been about the bruising trade war with America, defiant protests in Hong Kong against Beijing's tightening grip, and the rise of a surveillance state that is herding hundreds of thousands into "re-education" camps on its western fringes. Below, the Asia Focus team looks back on a busy and sometimes troubling 2019.
China's risky endgame in Hong Kong
Asia focus, Minxin Pei, Published on 25/11/2019
» Although the rapid escalation of violence in Hong Kong seems terrifying enough, things may be about to get much worse.
China's Cambodian invasion
Asia focus, Sam Rainsy, Published on 19/08/2019
» It has long been feared that Cambodia's growing dependence on China -- its largest aid donor, investor and creditor -- would lead to a Chinese military presence in the country. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, those fears are now coming true.
Facing down China
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 01/04/2019
» Repression at home, assertiveness in disputed territory on its doorstep, and expansion of soft power, economic and technological influence worldwide have all become hallmarks of confident China in the 21st century.