In The News

Can China and Turkey Forge a New Silk Road?

Anna Beth Keim, Sulmaan Khan January 18, 2013
China and Turkey are taking steps to reinvigorate their relationship and role as strong bookends to the Asian continent while encouraging new connections along the routes of the ancient Silk Road network. The two countries aim to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2020, and plans are underway to connect Ankara and Beijing by rail. But there are complications, too. Turkey, NATO member, also...

China Is Film Superpower

Malcolm Moore January 16, 2013
For big ticket sales, filmmakers aim for the world’s biggest markets. With China slated to become the world’s top movie market by 2020, more filmmakers will be targeting Chinese audiences, which currently show show a preference for special effects and strong characterization, reports Malcolm Moore for the Telegraph. In China, censors get a first look at films, foreign and domestic. Those with...

In Disputes Over Asian Seas, Winner May Take Zilch

Robert A. Manning January 14, 2013
Three senior US officials are visiting America’s two East Asian allies, South Korea and Japan, in a bid to defuse tensions over territorial claims. Strains of nationalism and saber-rattling with modern weaponry like drones could derail Asia’s quest for prosperity and global leadership and threaten the dream of an Asian Century, explains Robert A. Manning, senior fellow with the Brent Scowcroft...

Al Jazeera Seeks US Voice Where Gore Failed

Brian Stelter January 9, 2013
The Al Jazeera network will acquire millions of new US viewers with its purchase of Current TV, founded by Al Gore, former vice president, and a business partner less than a decade ago, reports Brian Stelter for the New York Times. Current TV struggled with low ratings and distribution rules that limited online content. Al Jazeera newscasts will come from New York and Doha. “A decade ago, Al...

Laos Could Bear Cost of Chinese Railroad

Jane Perlez, Bree Feng January 8, 2013
China is financing a railway from Southern China to Laos, Thailand and Burma – “China considers it vital to its strategy of pulling Southeast Asia closely into its orbit and providing Beijing with another route to transport oil from the Middle East,” report Jane Perlez and Bree Feng for the New York Times. Laos is taking on tremendous debt for the project, and the bulk of trade benefits are...

Nationalism Rises in Northeast Asia

Jean-Pierre Lehmann January 4, 2013
The job-creating economies of the Northeast Asia Pacific region are the envy of the world. China, Japan and Korea – the world’s second, third and eleventh largest economies, respectively – are significant global economic powers. China, Japan and South Korea are major trade and investment partners, each thriving by embracing economic globalization. But because of historical differences and...

Dirty, Pricey, Obsolete: Why Desalination Is Not Worth Its Salt

Adam Scow January 3, 2013
Desalination is not a solution to freshwater shortages being reported by many dry regions around the globe, including many sections of the United States. Adam Scow of Food & Water Watch argues that conservation of water is the better strategy and notes that “the technology is being pushed by private interests looking to profit from the sale of water while sticking the public with its high...