Speaking at a Brookings Institution panel discussion in Washington, DC on Friday (March 2nd), ex-nuclear envoy Dr. Robert Gallucci startled audiences with the admission that he believes use of force may be the only method to ensure Iran’s nuclear program is irrevocably halted. “I have no confidence that any degree of sanctions will actually stop […]
When Nepal’s current Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai assumed office in November 2011 to head a coalition government with the Madhesi Front as partner, many in Nepal were cautiously optimistic about him bringing an end to the disillusionment brought by four failed governments in four years- owing to delay in the […]
“Bpuu! Bpuu! Kgnom soam dtaow tribunals,” I say to the all-too-eager tuk tuk driver, individuals who are typically all-too-happy to drive foreigners anywhere. My Khmer language skills after one month are OK, but it is still a work in progress. Still, I stand there boasting to the other drivers and motodops hovering around, impressed with […]
UPDATE (February 29): Islamabad today announced that it would grant “most favored nation” trade status to New Delhi and phase out major restrictions on Indian imports by the end of this year. For all of the discouraging news coming out of South Asia – Afghanistan’s escalating turmoil, the breakdown in U.S.-Pakistani relations, and growing political instability […]
While most news about Central Asia discusses pipelines and transiting materiel to Afghanistan, southern Kyrgyzstan still sways uneasily in a quiet cross-breeze of mistrust and recriminations, after riots in June 2010 that killed over 400 people. After 18 months, two special commission reports, and a new president, few residents in this mountainous region believe the […]
The long standing feud between Israel and Iran was augmented to new levels this week after explosions occurred in New Delhi, India and Tbilisi, Georgia, while another bomb plot was foiled in Bangkok, Thailand. Three men have been arrested in the Thai capital and the country’s top police official, Gen. Prewpan Dhamapong, has said that […]
Amidst all that is happening in the Arab world (escalating violence in Syria, and nuclear brinkmanship by Iran) and the never-ending (epic) saga of the Greek sovereign debt crisis, comes the delayed EU-China summit in Beijing this week (February 14, 2012). Held on Valentine’s Day, it was full of promises for mutual love, respect and […]
The Chinese government has sentenced writer Li Tie to 10 years imprisonment for his online articles, in which he urged respect for ordinary citizens, called for democracy and political reform, and urged basic human rights. Journalists around the world have noted with sorrow — but not surprise — this incredibly harsh and hypocritical decision. That […]
Here are the most recent updates from four of the eight SAARC nations. For news from the rest of the countries, please visit their respective national pages. … MALDIVES – A top US diplomat arrived in the Maldives on February 11 to help resolve a deepening political crisis sparked by the ousting of the Indian […]
The International Monetary Fund said Japan should triple its consumption tax in order to cut the country’s massive public debt. At 5 percent, Japan’s consumption tax rate is one of the lowest in the world. Anoop Singh, IMF chief for Asia, said “It has been our sense… that raising the consumption tax gradually, not immediately, […]
The United States (US) Committee on Foreign Affairs is set to convene a congressional hearing on Wednesday (February 8), for an exclusive discussion on Balochistan. The extraordinary event has generated great interest among followers of Pakistan-US relations, as the allies’ mutual relationship seems to be deteriorating. The powerful House of Representatives committee oversees America’s foreign assistance […]
I arrived in Phnom Penh late last Saturday. This is the second time I’ve come to Cambodia and the country, more specifically its capital city, is just as seedy as I recall from last time I was here in 2008. There is no delicate way of tip toeing around the issue of sex workers and […]
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