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Politics

さよなら、総理大臣

Abenomics honeymoon -- for how long?

How long will the Abenomics honeymoon last? This was one of the questions we recently discussed with Chie Matsumoto, a journalist and activist from Tokyo. Read more...
Rhythms of Resistance

Rule of Law in Asia

The rule of law is fundamental to achieving communities of opportunity and equity - communities that offer sustainable economic development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights. Read more...
Children of North Korea

Richardson and Schmidt to North Korea

Former US Ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson, and Google chief, Eric Schmidt, are now in North Korea, defying the advice of the US State Department. We think the mission is a very good idea. Read more...
Deng Xiaoping blesses the Expo

Leadership and Asia's Development

A return of leadership is needed in Asia, argues this week's invited contributor, Emanuele Schibotto. Read more...
I'm Not So Ronery - IMG_8790

KIM Dae-jung, a tribute

This is a tribute that I wrote on Korea’s Nobel-prize winning former President, Kim Dae-jung: born 3 December 1925, died 18 August 2009. Read more...
KOREA-NORTH/

Even North Korea is changing

More and more North Koreans now have access to information from the outside world that starkly contrasts with official propaganda. Could this undermine the control of this authoritarian state? Read more...
Democracy Monument

Democracy in Asia

That democracy has shallow roots in Asia, the most dynamic part of the world economy, is clearly evident from the Economist Intelligence Unit's "Democracy Index 2011". Read more...
man-portable air defense systems (MANPAD) ... Libya's missing missiles: a threat to US airline passengers -- whose 10,000-foot range could hit them during takeoffs and landings. (December 9, 2011) ...

Asia's Failed States

As Asia sits on top of the world economy, it may be difficult to imagine that this vast unwieldy region is also home to more than a handful of the world's "failed states". Read more...
Secretary Kerry Poses for APEC Leaders' Family Photo

Asia's dearth of leadership

Asia's miracle development was driven by "determined, devoted, and inventive leaders, in both business and government". But what is striking today is the dearth of Asian leadership. Read more...
Fukushima *

Japan's nuclear madness

"Two years after the 2011 disaster, we are building a new future", says Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Honto desu ka? Really? Read more...
光る小沢（Ichiro Ozawa, shiny）

Japan's dysfunctional politics

Japan's triple crisis of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster was an exceptional and unprecedented event. So why didn't Japan respond in an exceptional and unprecedented way? Read more...
Japanese Teen ups WC 100_1769

Japan's bribery problems

The OECD has recently issued a scathing report on Japan's efforts to fight bribery and corruption. Read more...
Prime Minister Tony Blair

Tony Blair advises Thailand

Tony Blair recently delivered in Bangkok the first of the Special Lecture Series on "Uniting for the Future: Learning from each other's experiences". Read more...
aung san suu kyi

Burmese Nobel thoughts

Aung San Suu Kyi Nobel lecture, finally delivered on 16 June, 2012, in Oslo, Norway, was very moving and insightful. Read more...
China Breeding Programme

How powerful is China?

China has the world's 2nd largest economy and has been growing at a 10% rate for over three decades straight. It is also the world's biggest exporter, and has an enormous amount of foreign reserves. Read more...
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China: is “state capitalism” in crisis?

In this week's invited contribution, Emanuele Schibotto* asks if China's "state capitalism" is in crisis. Read more...
David Li Daokui - Annual Meeting of the New Champions Dalian 2009

China's lack of global leadership

China seems neither willing nor able to exert global economic leadership according to Tsinghua University's David Li. Read more...
120214-N-TT977-108

China's foreign policy

The enigmatic nature of China's foreign policy is evident as the US pushes China to tame North Korea. An excellent SIPR paper by Linda Jakobson and Dean Knox can help us understand the enigmas. Read more...
Homage to the Unknown Rebel - 4 June, 1989 - Tiananmen Square Massacre

China's democratic future??

Minxin Pei recently wrote an interesting piece speculating on how China could become a democracy. But will China's future really be democratic? Could China even break up, like the former USSR? Read more...
Coca-Cola: Millions to Washington Politicians, Billions to Invest in China (g1a2d0040c1)

China's Communist Party

As the Chinese Communist Party prepares its once in a decade leadership change, and tries to turn the page on its recent scandals, Richard McGregor's book on the Party is essential reading. Read more...