In The News

Asian Democracies: The Half-Full Glass

Gwynne Dyer May 10, 2004
The transition to democracy in many Southeast Asian nations has been striking. The upcoming or recent national elections in Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines highlight their quick turnaround from authoritarian rule. The last two decades have been marked by positive change in the region, but the inherent pitfalls of new democracy remain. Among the slew of candidates for election...

Pragmatic Politics

Peter Sturm May 7, 2004
German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's cozy relations with China's leaders are raising some eyebrows in his native land. An annual visitor to China, Kohl has consistently promoted German business interests during his discussions with Beijing. While this may be good for German investors, Kohl's one-issue focus happily ignores China's human rights abuses, says Peter Sturm. Sturm...

Language Schools Fight Image War

May 5, 2004
Japan's language schools for foreigners are experiencing a reputation crisis. While trying to help their foreign students, many of whom are from China, to get through the college entrance exam in Japan, these schools have found that not all of the students are serious about learning and getting ready for college. Recent unpleasant events have included illegal jobs held by foreign students...

North Korea Builds Up Missiles

Joo Sang-min May 5, 2004
According to a South Korean newspaper, North Korea is building two underground launching sites capable of deploying intermediate-range ballistic missiles. If successfully established, the new missiles could reach as far as Guam and possibly Hawaii, says the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. Defense experts say that Pyongyang is trying to demonstrate its limited military muscle. But, they caution, it could...

Invite China to Join G7 for Everybody's Sake

Kevin Rafferty May 4, 2004
In this op-ed for the Hong Kong-based The Standard, Kevin Rafferty argues for the inclusion of China in the G-7/8 group. Though he acknowledges arguments about China's not having the proper "system" or freely convertible currency that naysayers deem necessary to be in the exclusive club of like-minded economic powers, Rafferty argues that China's awesome economic status and...

Think Twice Before Migrating - The Grass There Won't Always Be Green

Goh Chok Tong May 3, 2004
Singapore seems to be at a low point economically, especially as compared to the emerging regional powerhouses, China and India. However, urges Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Singaporeans should not despair over the country's difficulties. With the brain power, technical skill, and sheer perseverance that Singaporeans possess, they can easily overcome the hard times, Goh says. Most...

N Korea Offers US Pledge on Weapons

Victor Mallet May 3, 2004
North Korean officials condemn terrorist organizations, including al-Qaeda, and promise not to sell nuclear materials to them in interviews with The Financial Times’ Selig Harrison on Tuesday. Taken togethers, their comments constitute an unexpectedly friendly gesture to the US, especially coming from a regime that has been known to sell both materials and technologies to militants in unstable...