Showing 1 - 10 of 55
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.
New Asean-US era
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 13/06/2022
» The special summit held last month in Washington between US President Joe Biden and nine Southeast Asian leaders clearly emphasised his administration's attempts to engage the region it sees as central to countering China's rising influence in Asia and beyond.
Bangladesh pursues careful Myanmar policy
Asia focus, Parvej Siddique Bhuiyan, Published on 02/05/2022
» The history of Myanmar is one of struggle with coups, military rule, religious persecution and ethnic conflict. The ongoing violence between the country's military and organised armed civilians is now leading the country to the verge of a full-blown civil war that is unlikely to end anytime soon.
Some hopeful signs for women
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 07/03/2022
» Two years of the protracted Covid-19 pandemic have proved to be tough for everyone, with millions losing their jobs as economies slumped across the world. Women in particular have faced hardship from changes in the working environment.
Myanmar soldiers collecting bills at gunpoint
Asia focus, By Richard C Paddock of the New York Times, Published on 31/01/2022
» The schoolteacher had just got out of bed when four Myanmar army soldiers pounded on her door. Her electricity payment was overdue, they said, and ordered her to pay it immediately at the government power company office.
Hun Sen's Myanmar gamble
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 17/01/2022
» I'm not a fan of Hun Sen, the strongman who has ruled Cambodia for more than 38 years. A co-premier from 1993-97 before seizing power in a 1997 coup, the Cambodian leader has won all subsequent elections while political rivals have been jailed or exiled and critical media crushed. His legacy appears secure now that his Cambodian People's Party has endorsed his eldest son, 44-year-old army commander Hun Manet, as "future prime minister".
Unlocking potential in South Asia
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 20/12/2021
» South Asia, home to nearly two billion people, has been among the fastest-growing regions in the world over the past decade. Yet intraregional trade is well below expected levels, suggesting that regional spillover from the growth of some individual countries has been limited.
Closing the loop
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 13/12/2021
» The global climate movement has grown exponentially, demanding that world leaders and governments walk the talk on environmental and societal issues to keep the rise in global temperature below 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
Climate commitments must be backed by more action
Asia focus, Alfonso Garcia Mora, Published on 06/12/2021
» At the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, governments and private sector committed to new targets to achieve net-zero emissions. Notably, 137 global leaders which possess 90% of the world's forests have signed up to a pledge to half and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
On the go again?
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 25/10/2021
» Winter is coming to the northern hemisphere, and people in North America and Europe normally flock to places that offer them a warm-weather break. It's the high season for tourism in many Asian countries, but one that will only happen in a world without Covid-19.