In The News

Voting with Confidence in the Future

March 11, 2004
In an editorial, the Taipei Times has come out strongly in favor of President Chen Shui-bian's re-election on March 20. A vote of confidence for the president, argues the paper, would be a boost to all struggling democracies world-wide. It would prove that other nations cannot influence domestic political elections while guaranteeing the validity of the democratic process. Taiwan should...

Saudi Women Get the Vote

Brian Whitaker March 10, 2004
For the first time, municipal elections are set to take place in Saudi Arabia. The elections alone stand as an important sign of Saudi Arabia's increasing democratization, but even more surprisingly, women will be able vote in these elections. Women's activities are highly restricted in the Saudi kingdom, but in recent years many have managed to gain a foothold in business affairs –...

Thaksin's Chance for Leading Role in the Region

John D. Ciorciari March 10, 2004

Dam Building Threatens China's 'Grand Canyon'

Jim Yardley March 10, 2004
Dam projects are often controversial, for they require the displacement of peoples, destruction of the riparian zone, and other environmental consequences. In China, most attention has focused on the large Three Gorges Dam, set to be completed in 2009 at an expense of $25 billion and the displacement of one million people. There is, however, another project worth paying attention to, though it...

India and Pakistan Get Ready for Cricket

M.J.Akbar March 8, 2004
As Indian and Pakistani cricket teams face off this week, the matches may arouse more emotions than the two countries' recent diplomatic relations. The resumption of play on the sub-continent is a remarkable turn in a relationship that has been marked by bloody conflict over the disputed Kashmir region, argues M.J. Akbar, editor of The Asian Age. Now, political pragmatism may outweigh...

Can the ADB Resurrect Itself?

Pana Janviroj March 2, 2004
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), beset by poor results and politicization, needs to reform. It has been overshadowed by the World Bank and been mired by its own factional infighting, says this article in The Nation. Based originally in Manila, the ADB now plans to open a satellite office in Bangkok. This could be the change it needs. Far from inter-office rivalry, the satellite will help oversee...

Nuke Quarantine

Amir Mir February 26, 2004
The United States government is placing pressure on Pakistan to allow an inspection of its nuclear arsenal, and to put into place, a joint Pakistan-US monitoring mechanism. The American pressure follows the recent disclosure of a Pakistan based global network that supplied nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea. Pakistan, a vital ally in the US led war against global terrorism, needs...