Keyword: politics

Obama's State of the Union: Much More Than Trying to 'Contain China'

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill January 24, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)

Policy

The reality is much broader and deeper, writes Suzanne DiMaggio, who says Obama's Asia "pivot" signals his recognition of an unprecedented shift of economic, political and strategic power to Asia.

January 25th by Suzanne DiMaggio | Comments

Moon: New Actors and New Demands for North Korea

Propaganda art in the Pyongyang Metro in North Korea, photographed in August 2011. (Flickr/Joseph Ferris III)

Policy

Kim Jong Il’s death dealt a blow to the North Korean regime and people. A smooth political transition that places Kim Jong Un, the “Great Successor,” at the helm and consolidates social and political order are Pyongyang’s pressing priorities. No one knows what kind of “order” may ensue.

December 29th by Katharine Moon | Comments

2011: In Thailand, the Pardon That Wasn't

Toys in the form of exiled former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on sale in Bangkok. (Flickr/Pittaya Sroilong)

Policy Whatever you think of Thaksin Shinawatra, his refusal to return to Thailand has been destabilizing for the country, writes Duncan McCargo.

December 28th by Duncan McCargo | Comments

Lintner: Here's Why 2011 Will Not be Seen as the 'Year of Change' in Burma

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) meets with with Burmese President Thein Sein at the Office of the President in Nay Pyi Taw, Burma, on Dec. 1, 2011. (Flickr/U.S. Department of State)

Policy

Following a fraudulent referendum on a new constitution in May 2008, and a blatantly rigged election in November 2010, Burma/Myanmar's new president, Thein Sein, has taken some surprising and, for many, unexpected steps.

December 27th by Bertil Lintner | Comments

Interview: Ambassador Hossein Mousavian on Iran, Washington and the Middle East

Iran's Ambassador Hossein Mousavian (L) and U.S. Ambassador Thomas Pickering (R), appearing at Asia Society New York on Dec. 13, 2011.

Policy

The former Iranian diplomat discusses his country's relations with America, Saudi Arabia and Syria.

December 8th by Annie Ali Khan | Comments

What Are Asian Nations Saying About Sri Lanka’s Conflict?

Sri Lankan state workers and ruling party activists protest outside the main railway station in Colombo on August 2, 2011. The protest was aimed to denounce Britain's Channel 4 documentary 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields'. (Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images)

Policy

Asia Society's Andrew Billo gets the discussion started in advance of a New York event about a controversial Channel 4 film about Sri Lanka's civil war.

December 5th by Andrew Billo | Comments

Clinton Meets Suu Kyi, Offers 'Carrots' For Political Reform in Burma

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and pro-democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meet in Rangoon, Myanmar on December 1, 2011. (Saul Loeb /AFP/Getty Images)

Policy

Asia Society's Suzanne DiMaggio analyzes the meeting between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Burma/Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

December 1st by Suzanne DiMaggio | Comments

DiMaggio Previews Clinton's Historic Visit to Burma on The Takeaway

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waves alongside Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister Myo Myint (L) upon her arrival in Naypyidaw on November 30, 2011.(Saul Loeb /AFP/Getty Images)

Policy

Asia Society's Suzanne DiMaggio appeared on public radio's The Takeaway to discuss the first high-level visit by an American diplomat to Burma in decades and what it means for political reform and relations with China.

November 30th by Shreeya Sinha | Comments

Photo, Video and Tweets from the Raid on the UK Embassy in Tehran

A man holds a poster featuring American actors John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in a scene from the film 'Pulp Fiction' following a break in at the British Embassy on November 29, 2011 in Tehran, Iran. (FarsNews/Getty Images)

Multimedia

Dozens of Iranian students screaming "death to England!" stormed the British embassy compound in Tehran on Tuesday after Iran downgraded diplomatic relations with the U.K. Check out this Pulp Fiction photo, a video from the raid and tweets from today's events.

November 29th by Shreeya Sinha | Comments

DiMaggio on Myanmar's 'Moment of Change'

Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi (C) speaks to supporters after attending the opening of a 'funfair' event in Yangon on November 21, 2011. (Soe Than Win/AFP/Getty Images)

Policy

Suzanne DiMaggio, Asia Society's Vice President of Global Policy Programs, has an op-ed on CNN.com today entitled "Clinton visit presents opportunity in Myanmar." Here's how it begins:

November 29th by Dan Washburn | Comments