Showing 1 - 10 of 21
Narendra Modi and the tragedy of India's poor
Asia focus, Pranab Bardhan, Published on 01/06/2020
» Prime Minister Narendra Modi's penchant for theatrics has had deadly consequences for India's poor. That was certainly the case with his disastrous demonetisation policy in 2016 and his government's rushed imposition of a national Goods and Services Tax, which resulted in widespread harassment of small businesses.
Help with strings attached
Asia focus, Patpon Sabpaitoon, Published on 30/03/2020
» When Europe was on the verge of collapsing after the carnage of World War II, countries in the region were at risk of drifting into the communist orbit of the Soviet Union. To contain the threat, the United States government in 1948 created a recovery programme worth US$12.7 billion -- $128 billion in today's money.
Sad lessons from Korat
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 17/02/2020
» When I heard about a 40-something gunman firing at least 40 shots in central Bangkok on Friday (no one was hurt and he was arrested), my first thought was that it had some link to the recent atrocity in Nakhon Ratchasima. The Valentine's Day incident came just days after a soldier killed 29 victims in the country's worst-ever mass shooting.
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.
Cambodia at the crossroads
Asia focus, Monileak Ean, Published on 30/09/2019
» Cambodia is just five months away from learning whether its US$8-billion garment and footwear industry will continue to enjoy preferential trade status in the European Union (EU), the country's second largest trading partner and largest export market.
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.
Lean times lasting longer
Asia focus, Eunice Barbara C Novio in San Jose, Philippines, Published on 15/07/2019
» Most people know the province of Occidental Mindoro as a premier tourist destination in the Philippines. But agriculture and fishing are still the primary source of income for many of its 500,000 permanent residents.
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.
'Brand Modi' to the rescue?
Asia focus, Narendra Kaushik, Published on 07/01/2019
» In the face of a strong challenge from the Congress-led opposition, India's governing party is preparing to unleash the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to win a second term in the general election this year.
Year of turbulence
Asia focus, Asia Focus Team, Published on 31/12/2018
» Two unpredictable men with weird haircuts and access to nuclear weapons had a friendly chat in Singapore -- and that was just one of the many noteworthy stories of 2018. Elsewhere in Asia, we witnessed some surprising political developments (Malaysia) and not-so-surprising ones (Cambodia), along with what seemed to be a disturbingly high number of natural disasters. Many see the latter as a manifestation of the growing impact of climate change, and it's a debate that is bound to intensify in the year ahead. Below, Asia Focus looks back on the eventful year now ending.