Asia Pivot Should Be More Than Just Rhetoric and Good Intentions
President Obama’s impending trip to Asia in April is an opportunity for the U.S. to go beyond mere rhetorical commitment to the Asia pivot. At… Read More
Indonesia: Elections an Opportunity for Improved Governance
Upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Indonesia are heating up after the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) announcement that Jakarta’s popular governor, Joko Widodo… Read More
The State of Economic Freedom in Asia
Asia is home to some of the economically freest and least free nations in the world, according to the recently released Index of Economic Freedom…. Read More
Burma: ASEAN Can’t Ignore Persecution of Religious Minorities
As Burma assumes its role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), its ability to credibly deal with serious human rights issues… Read More
Southeast Asia and Its Press Freedom Woes
A Burmese court recently sentenced a journalist to jail for purported defamation, coarse language, and trespassing. The journalist, Ma Khine, was reporting on corruption and… Read More
Burma Is Not Ready for Mil-to-Mil Cooperation with the U.S.
Has Burma made enough reforms to have military-to-military cooperation with the U.S.? Congressman Steve Chabot (R–OH) says no. In a recent speech at The Heritage… Read More
Southeast Asia: In Obama’s Absence, China Takes Initiative
Reactions to President Obama’s absence from this year’s Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum highlighted the stakes of American leadership in Southeast Asia and shined a… Read More
News
Southeast Asia and the Limits of American Soft Power
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s swing through Southeast Asia last week was notable not for the headlines and handshake photos he generated but the ones generated… Read More
Burma: Neighbors Call Out Regime on Rohingya Ethnic Cleansing
Burma’s neighbors are finally speaking out about the ethnic cleansing occurring at their doorsteps. Both Indonesia and Malaysia have made public statements asking Burma to… Read More
North Korean Refugees Struggle to Reach Freedom
Nine North Korean refugees who had escaped from their homeland and made their way to Laos were forcibly repatriated on May 28. The defectors, ranging… Read More
