Asian leadership and the global economic crisis      

In East Asia, as elsewhere in the world, the risks that we continue to face in recovery from the global financial crisis, economically and politically, are a consequence not only of failure in national governance but also in the architecture of international governance, including regional architecture. (East Asia Forum)

(click on the headline to continue)

Myanmar: Suu Kyi  and the government      

Is Suu Kyi becoming bold to test the patience of the government? Why did Aung Kyi, the minister fro labour ad social welfare acting as liaison officer for the government, have two meetings with Suu Kyi within two weeks? Is there a thaw in the offing? Will the National League for Democracy (NLD) register itself as a political party? These and many more questions have cropped up as the events unfolded in Myanmar since the beginning of July 2011. (The South Asia Analysis Group)

(click on the headline to continue)

Yudhoyono needs to be bold to take Indonesia forward       

Indonesia’s economic resilience and recently announced 2012 state budget are the stuff that strapped Western government can only dream about, given today’s global uncertainty. The government is projecting economic expansion of 6.7 per cent and wants to spend Rp 168.1 trillion ($19.67 billion) – or 19 per cent more that this year – on building roads, railways and airports.        (The Jakarta Globe)

(click on the headline to continue)

Can Yingluck fix Cambodia ties?      

The election of Yingluck Shinawatra has raised hopes that Thailand can improve its prickly ties with Cambodia. But will the Thai Army get in the way?      (The Diplomat)

(click on the headline to continue)

The East Asia Summit and regional financial cooperation     

One of the priority area for regional cooperation at the East Asian Summit (EAS) has been finance. At the last EAS Leaders’ summit in Hanoi last year this area was given special attention along with education, energy, disaster management and avian flu prevention.       (East Asia Forum)

(click on the headline to continue)

Consolidating East Asia Cooperation: A New Role for Northeast Asia      

The balance of power in East Asia is shifting, presenting new risks to regional stability. In order to mitigate these risks and maintain and strengthen regional peace, stability, and prosperity, it is critical that regional cooperation be consolidated.                                        (Japan Center for International Exchange)

(click on the headline to continue)

The South China Sea is the future of conflict         

Europe is a landscape; East Asia a seascape. Therein lies a crucial difference between the 20^th and 21^st centuries. The most contested areas of the globe in the last century lay on dry land in Europe, particularly in the flat expanse that rendered the eastern and western borders of Germany artificial and exposed to the inexorable march of armies. But over the span of the decades, the demographic and economic axis of the Earth has shifted measurably to the opposite end of Eurasia, where the spaces between major population centers are overwhelmingly maritime. (Foreign Policy)

(click on the headline to continue)

Thai diplomacy: Where personal, national affairs can’t mix      

Once again personal ad national agenda clashes head-on once Surapong tohwichachaikul, MP from Chianmai, was named foreign minister last week. Focus has been zeroed in on his perceived role whether he will speak on behalf of the country or Thaksin Shinawatra. Lots of questions were also raised due to his close relationship to the former prime minister, who was sentenced to two-year jail term on conflict of interests. Lingering doubts over the minister’s intention would have dire consequences for Thailand’s external relations and its place in the world. (The Nation)

(click on the headline to continue)

Rising tensions in Asia Pacific region  

Celebrating the 84t anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Liberation Army Daily (LAD, August 01), the military mouthpiece carried a very important editorial that could have far reaching implications for the Asia Pacific Region (APR). After the usual observation on the Party’s absolute leadership over the army, boosting party building within the army, army-people relationship, the editorial made the following observations. It called on the PLA officers and soldiers to enhance risk awareness and to be mindful of their mission, as the international military competition becomes increasingly fierce and modern wars are fast evolving from mechanical wars to information-based ones. (The South Asia Analysis Group)

(click on the headline to continue)

Bold Bid for Peace        

Was it improper for President Aquino to have flown all the way to Tokyo to meet secretly with Murad Ebrahim, the leader of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front? Perhaps. The reactions from certain quarters have the ring of predictable Monday-morning quarterbacking. (The Inquirer)

(click on the headline to continue)