InternationalCommentary
China’s Development of the Scarborough Shoal
In recent days, in the South China Sea, the USS Nimitz carrier strike group has been conducting operations and bilateral exercises with the Philippines, to… Read More
SecurityNews
Report ‘Proves’ Coronavirus Leaked From Wuhan Lab, GOP Lawmakers Say
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 entered the human population in a leak from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology by mid-September 2019, according to a new… Read More
News
Pakistan: Islamist Parties Foster Violence and Intolerance
At a recent event at The Heritage Foundation, Haroon K. Ullah discussed the influence of Islamist political parties in Pakistan, the subject of his new… Read More
South Asia Still Major Hotspot for International Terrorism
Despite the degradation of al-Qaeda’s core leadership based in Pakistan and its increased reliance on regional affiliate organizations to conduct attacks, South Asia remains “a… Read More
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
Sri Lanka: Most Economically Free South Asian Nation
Sri Lanka has maintained its position as the most economically free nation in South Asia, according to the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom. The country… 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
What the Mehsud Strike Means for Fighting Global Terrorism
It was welcome news that a U.S.-launched drone strike killed Hakimullah Mehsud, the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) who was responsible for slaughtering thousands of Pakistanis… Read More
Hearing on Afghanistan Highlights Importance of Residual Force
Panelists at a recent hearing by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia urged Congress to maintain a strong residual… 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
Afghanistan: Levin Sets Low Bar for Future Troop Levels
With the 2014 deadline for the end of U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan fast approaching, there are many questions regarding the number of troops that… 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
News
Asia’s Persistent Drug Problem Could Hit Home
Drug wars have plagued Asia for decades, and the drug problem continues to stem the tide of economic growth and development in the region. A… Read More
North Korea: A Neglected Human Rights Crisis
North Korea has been making headlines for its threats of preemptive nuclear attacks on the United States. In addition to North Korea’s belligerent military actions,… Read More
China Streamlines Its Maritime Forces
As the Chinese National People’s Congress reveals various governmental restructurings (not to be mistaken for reforms), an important one is the streamlining of Chinese maritime… Read More
Bangladesh Spring Turns Violent
At least 44 people have been killed in the past two days in protests in Bangladesh following the third conviction by a war crimes tribunal… Read More
Morning Bell: We Can’t Give Up on Afghanistan
Yesterday marked the 11-year anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, which was launched just three and a half weeks after the 9/11 attacks. Recently,… Read More
News
Secretary Clinton’s Asia Tour: Keep the Pressure on South China Sea
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in the midst of a 10-day tour of the Asia-Pacific. Certainly there are many things to be discussed over… Read More
News
Scribecast: Rep. Frank Wolf Discusses Political and Religious Rights
With economic issues dominating the domestic political agenda and much of our foreign policy focused on combating terrorism, systematic violations of political and religious rights… Read More
Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Down, but Not Out
According to press reports, fighting between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the al-Qaeda linked terrorist unit known as the Abu Sayyaf Group… Read More
South Asia Thankfully Left Out of U.S.-China Joint Statement
Compared to the U.S.–China joint statement in 2009, this year’s joint statement issued at the summit between Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao contains no… Read More
Gates’ Visit Bolsters U.S.-India Security Ties
As the Taliban assaulted Kabul, Defense Secretary Gates made an important visit to India, the South Asian giant whose partnership is critical to stabilizing the… Read More
The Obama Administration: A Year of Living Dangerously
This week marks the one year anniversary of the president’s election to commander chief, but it seems more like an occasion for concern than for slapping… Read More
