In The News

Asia Applauds Newest Space Club Member's Achievement

October 16, 2003
Upon the completion of China's successful launch and return of a manned space vessel, congratulatory wishes were sent to Beijing from across the Asia-Pacific region. From the Philippines to India, Malaysia to Japan, national leaders and space technology officials had only praise for China's technological feat. The only other two countries to achieve manned space flight also graciously...

China Sends Man Into Orbit, Entering U.S.-Russian Club

Jim Yardley October 15, 2003
China has joined the US and Russia as only the third nation to launch a person into space. The Shenzhou 5 blasted off from somewhere in China's Gobi Desert on Wednesday, carrying a lone astronaut into space. If all goes well and he returns home safely, China's leadership will have one more accomplishment to help boost domestic support for the communist party. President Hu Jintao says...

Intelligence Puzzle: North Korean Bombs

David E. Sanger October 14, 2003
As US President George W. Bush prepares to depart for a meeting with Asian leaders next week, more concern is being raised by new intelligence on North Korea's nuclear program. While the United Nations' atomic energy agency believes Pyongyang has produced two nuclear weapons in recent months, US officials are less certain about how to interpret the available data. Although tell-tale...

US Agents Target Indonesia in Rigid Visa Checks

Tiarma Siboro October 9, 2003
As part of America's global war against terrorism, the US Department of Homeland Security announced it will deploy agents to oversee visa approval at US embassies and consulates in Indonesia and four other Muslim countries. The plan is not yet official – the Indonesian government said it was unaware of the proposed measures, and US embassy officials say Washington "is still discussing...

US Business Interest in Singapore Triples Due to FTA: US Officials

October 8, 2003
Terrorist attacks and activity in Southeast Asia have not deterred American businesses from venturing into Singapore, according to the US ambassador to that city-state. In the past year, US small- and medium-sized businesses have been setting up shop in the country at a quick pace, Ambassador Frank Lavin said. Last month, the US and Singapore signed a free trade agreement (FTA) set to take...

A Glimpse into the Terrorist Mind

Lee Kuan Yew October 7, 2003
The recent trial of terrorists accused in the Bali bombings prompts Lee Kuan Yew, Senior Minister of Singapore, to ask the question - what makes a terrorist? What he finds is that such recruits are often “vulnerable to religious indoctrination by charismatic preachers who employ strict discipline.” As a result, for these people, self-sacrifice and martyrdom become their highest purpose in life...

Why China Should Not Revalue

Francis Scotland October 2, 2003
China should continue to ignore US calls to revalue its currency. At present, the Chinese currency renminbi or yuan is pegged to the dollar at a rate of 8.4 to 1, a rate which many say makes the Chinese currency significantly undervalued. Nonetheless, the author argues that the Chinese currency peg allows the hyper-stimulative US monetary policy to be exported to the rest of the world economy...