Showing 1 - 10 of 24
Asean-US balancing act
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata and Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 25/04/2022
» The commitment of the United States to Southeast Asia since the end of the Vietnam War has been subject to a series of ebbs, flows and imbalances. History shows that it tends to wane whenever Washington is distracted by other global developments.
'Out with man haters', cry Korean anti-feminists
Asia focus, Choe Sang-Hun of the New York Times, Published on 17/01/2022
» SEOUL: They have shown up whenever women rallied against sexual violence and gender bias in South Korea. Dozens of young men, mostly dressed in black, taunted the protesters, squealing and chanting, "Thud! Thud!" to imitate the noise they said the "ugly feminist pigs" made when they walked.
Asean needs a Middle Path
Asia focus, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 17/01/2022
» Despite the economic downturn during the Covid-19 pandemic, China-sponsored infrastructure, trade and cooperation initiatives with Southeast Asian nations have been moving forward consistently -- amplifying the presence of Beijing in one of the world's fastest growing regions.
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.
Assertive Asean more vital than ever
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 01/11/2021
» While Myanmar's "unusual crisis" dominated talks at the summits of Asean and its dialogue partners last week, the group's centrality and relevance in the new world order were also highlighted as the 10-country bloc has been dealing with critical challenges both at home and abroad.
Huge tasks for Japan's new leader
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/10/2021
» When I first heard that two women -- Sanae Takaichi and Seiko Noda -- were seeking the leadership of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), I was blessed with a hopeful thought that maybe the result of last Wednesday's election could bring real change to Japanese society.
In search of the middle ground
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 31/05/2021
» As the African proverb goes, when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The intensifying China-US rivalry is putting mounting pressure on smaller countries, and Southeast Asian economies are no exception.
Hands-on for success
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 24/05/2021
» As the top executive in charge of the fast-growing Asean, India and Australia-New Zealand markets of Delta Electronics, Jackie Chang is entirely occupied with work on weekdays.
Can Myanmar learn from its mistakes?
Asia focus, Mohammad Mushfiqul Haque Mukit, Published on 03/05/2021
» Myanmar is an excellent example of how not to run a country. Given the current state of affairs, a military takeover was inevitable, and the scenario is now a complete disaster.
Riding the dragon
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 19/04/2021
» The growing economic and political influence of China has challenged the powerful nations of the West, particularly the United States, to respond in new ways.