Asia
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Taiwan endgames
The term endgame was originally applied to the final stages of a multifaceted matching of minds in the likes of chess or bridge. The term has also been widely used in politics to introduce and debate outcome investigations, as in, the Cold War endgame, the globalisation endgame and the Ukraine War endgame. This article considers Continue reading »
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G20 forecast: Bleak outlook, chances of thunder
It’s the meeting season in Indonesia, but the chances of viable offspring are slim. Too much hate, too little harmony. That’s bad news for all. Continue reading »
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The battle over development and democracy in the South Pacific
United States-Australian policy toward China demonstrates an increasing tension over what development and democracy means for people of the South Pacific. There is wide agreement that over the last forty years China has been exemplary for its rate of growth. Until relatively recently, this favourable assessment has been made by linking growth with development and Continue reading »
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What about the Taiwanese?
What you think of the story in the Indo-Pacific, connecting the US, Australia, China and Taiwan, depends on how you start telling it. Try the top line of both international human rights covenants: on civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights, respectively. “All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of Continue reading »
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Asian Media – Rule of law declining internationally
In Asian media this week: Cambodia retains sorry legal status Continue reading »
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Sex, drugs and confusion: Sharia law in Bali?
Bali tourism is slowly picking up as Covid apparently retreats. The new threats are laws on drugs, religion and sex. Continue reading »
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Central Asia is crucial in 2022: Is Russia out, and is China (still) in?
The former Soviet states have been in the spotlight of international attention this year starting with the January unrest in Kazakhstan, Russian invasion of Ukraine, renewed hostilities over territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Here are the latest developments in a Central Asian region of increasing geostrategic importance. Continue reading »
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National Endowment for Democracy supports US aggression in Taiwan
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) does not have the democratic rights of the people in the 100 plus countries in which it operates at heart. It is solely interested in the maintenance of US power. Continue reading »
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In Asian media this week – Xi’s China narrative ‘largely true’
In Asian media this week: different views on what Xi said – and did not say – in his national party congress report. Continue reading »
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COVID-19 border policies strengthen Japan’s Insular mindset
From April to August 2020, Japan implemented a re-entry ban for all foreign nationals, including permanent residents, with some exceptions. This came as a shock to many who considered Japan ‘home’ since they found themselves either trapped outside the country or unable to leave to see sick family members or attend funerals. Continue reading »
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Bali Bombings: The blasts that blew neighbours apart
The Bali bombings of two decades ago, remembered with anger and sadness, did much more than kill 202 partygoers, wound 209 and scar families for years. The blasts also ripped apart an Indonesia-Australia relationship that has now slumped into indifference. Continue reading »
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Asian Media – Chinese car makers go electric
In Asian media this week, new child sex abuse allegations against Timor’s Bishop Belo. Plus: India removes abortion rights discrimination; Facebook complicit in Rohingya ethnic cleansing; Chinese carmaker buys into Aston Martin; North Korea fires missile over Japan; Court’s arithmetic leaves Prayut in power; and Bongbong’s weekend getaway goes viral Continue reading »
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Indonesia suppresses data on critically endangered Orangutan habitat threats
Outsiders doing business in Indonesia are urged to be polite and follow cultural norms. That also goes for academics, and the ones in this story have been exemplars of courtesy. But that hasn’t stopped their findings from getting rubbished and motives trashed. Continue reading »
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Death penalty: Singapore’s ongoing killing spree
Singapore continues to risk its reputation as leader in arbitration in the region through its use of the death penalty, primarily, for minor drug offences. This goes against the overwhelming global trend towards abolition of the death penalty and tarnishes Singapore’s reputation as a jurisdiction committed to upholding fair trial guarantees. Continue reading »
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Whitewashing at Shinzo Abe’s state funeral
Be careful who you praise and the degree of zeal you do it with. The slain Shinzo Abe, shot dead in Nara on July 8, towered over Japanese politics. In doing so, he cast a lengthy shadow. In death, this shadow continues to grow ever more darkly. Continue reading »
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Dealing with the ‘China threat’: An Asian perspective
Forcing Asian countries to choose between the USA and China is unlikely to work. Even close Asian allies of the US have shown that they prefer to go their own way in geopolitics. Continue reading »
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A feast of new reading outside the grip of corporate Western media: Part 2 – Asia
Australian mainstream media is generally lacking in coverage of Asia, with occasional fly-in-fly-out-shock-horror or dependence on Reuters or AUKUSWORLD news sources. This isn’t consistent with any claim to be an advanced member of our region. We can however turn to local newspapers in the region. Continue reading »
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Asian Media this week, 24 September
In Asian media this week, Biden makes the Taiwan Strait more dangerous. Plus: Myanmar people flee tattered economy; political role key to Xi’s anti-corruption drive; regional grouping with global heft; AUKUS and longing for Western domination; Korea looks beyond K-pop’s success Continue reading »
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America’s muddled Taiwan policy
In early August, U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, announced she planned to make a trip to Taiwan to give it moral encouragement at a time of tense relations with China. She would be the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Taiwan since 1997, when Speaker Newt Gingrich made the trip. Continue reading »
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Australia and Southeast Asia: Australia needs a new plan?
At a time when Australia needs an innovative rethinking of its policies towards Southeast Asia, this will not be delivered by the recently announced Defence Strategic Review. Continue reading »
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The US diplomatic blitz regarding the South China Sea
The US is engaged in a public relations blitz to win the hearts and minds of Southeast Asia and demonise China. However it is replete with deceit and hypocrisy. Continue reading »
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Australia and US–China rivalry
US–China competition is a defining challenge of the present. Much attention has focussed on the behaviour of these two great powers and their impact on global affairs. But as the US–China rivalry persists, an important question is what third parties can do — especially countries like Australia that have huge stakes in maintaining productive relations Continue reading »
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What Philippines’ Marcos Jnr can learn from Singapore and Indonesia about balancing ties with China, US
“With respect to our place in the community of nations, the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all. And an enemy to none,” declared President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, in his first state-of-the-nation address. “We will be a good neighbour – always looking for ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually Continue reading »
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China is muscling Indonesia but not with war threats
Unlike Australians, Indonesians don’t fear war with China. Their concerns are more prosaic – debt, work and the virus of atheism. Continue reading »
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Will Russia join China in the Pacific?
‘For Russia, China is the key’ was a claim made for the recent Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok annually, and attended by Russia’s President Putin. Continue reading »
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Asian media – the Bachelet’s report on Xinjiang went too far
In Asian Media this week – a legal critique of the Xinjiang human rights report. Continue reading »
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We have to learn to co-exist with China
None of the ASEAN countries wants a US-led conflict over Taiwan, which if it occurs, is likely to accelerate America’s decline in East Asia and the Western Pacific. Continue reading »
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With Najib Razak behind bars, could Malaysia’s corruption fight be winnable at last?
For the first time ever, an ex-Malaysian PM is serving time in prison for a criminal offence – and Najib Razak still faces multiple other allegations. Some see the verdict as just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and a victory in the fight to clean up the country’s politics, but Mahathir’s not so sure. Continue reading »
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Getting away with mid-air murder
Studying in Europe was to be a highlight of Munir Said Thalib’s career. The voice of the Indonesian activist and forceful critic of the army’s human rights record was being heard internationally. His opponents hoped a spell abroad might silence the censure. Instead, it was amplified. Now it’ll be turned off as time for action Continue reading »
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President Xi signals that governance in Hong Kong must be more mindful of people’s expectations
Clear signs are emerging that Hong Kong’s essential “social contract” is undergoing renovation. Moreover, this process looks set to continue. Before examining why this is so, we need to consider the meaning of this expression. Continue reading »
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