Showing 1 - 10 of 28
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 fight for press freedom is local
Asia focus, Jos Midas Bartman, Published on 20/06/2022
» A macabre political thriller recently unfolded in the Philippine province of Palawan, an island known mostly for its rich biodiversity and pristine beaches.
World mustn't forget Myanmar
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/04/2022
» With all eyes focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war, Southeast Asia and the world should not forget about what has been going on in Myanmar. The military shows no signs of stopping its brutal campaign of violence against the people, who continue to fight for the democracy that was stolen from them 14 months ago.
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.
Care with passion
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 18/10/2021
» There is sometimes a moment in life that changes you forever. It can sometimes define the course of your life. Not many have experienced that lightbulb realisation, but Sigal Atzmon has.
US and China spar on Asean stage
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 30/08/2021
» While all eyes were on Kamala Harris when she visited Southeast Asia last week, China loomed large over the event, partly because the US vice president several times mentioned China in public comments.
Restoring respect
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 07/06/2021
» Patama Chantaruck still remembers an unsettling encounter she experienced during her early days of living in the United States 28 years ago.
Xinjiang genocide allegations are unjustified
Asia focus, Jeffrey Sachs and William Schabas, Published on 10/05/2021
» The US government has needlessly escalated its rhetoric against China by claiming that a genocide is being mounted against the Uighur people in the Xinjiang region.
A year like no other
Asia focus, Published on 28/12/2020
» In a world under siege from a relentless virus, Asia's resilience was tested to the utmost. Asia Focus staff look back at key events
Shaping a green future
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 23/11/2020
» Sonika Manandhar remembers riding in her father’s minibus in her hometown of Kathmandu when she was five years old. Thanks to a loan programme from the government, her father was able to buy the bus and earn a living to support his family and send her to school until she earned a computer engineering degree.