Asia Blog

Yingluck's Win: Potential Crisis or Step Forward for Thai Democracy?

Pheu Thai candidate Yingluck Shinawatra greets supporters in Chiang Rai province on May 22, 2011. Shinawatra and her party went on to win a decisive victory in Thailand's elections on July 3. (Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP/Getty Images)

Policy

The Pheu Thai party’s victory in Thailand's July 3 elections could turn into a new crisis rather than being a step forward for Thailand’s fragile democracy. If the Pheu Thai were to implement all the outlandish election promises it has given — free computers to all schoolchildren, free wi-fi, higher rice prices for the farmers, generous pensions for the elderly, new super-fast trains, a substantial increase in the minimum wage and so on — it would ruin the country’s economy.

July 5th by Bertil Lintner | Comments

In Burma, Signs of Confrontation to Come

Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi (C) walks through a crowd of supporters and reporters as she arrives for celebrations of her 66th birthday at the National League for Democracy (NLD) headquarters in Yangon on June 19, 2011. (Soe Than Win/AFP/Getty Images)

Policy

As Burmese democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi prepares to tour her country despite warnings from the hard-line government, a new confrontation may be brewing, says Asia Society Consultant Priscilla Clapp.

June 30th by Stephanie Hoo | Comments

U.S. Lacking Policy Leadership on Clean Energy

India Bundled Wind: A laborer is seen working at a deisel powered crusher infont of a wind turbine. (Land Rover Our Planet/Flickr)

Sustainability

Peter Timmer asks whether Asian countries can provide regional leadership on clean energy and global warming mitigation.

June 30th by Peter Timmer | Comments

On Climate Change, U.S. Must Set Example for the World

Mekong Delta, Vietnam. (David Conger, Flickr)

Sustainability

Shen Yamei, assistant research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) says that the Obama administration must increase public awareness of the dangers facing the environment.

June 29th by Shen Yamei | Comments

Understanding the Asian Position on Climate Change

(lewishamdreamer/Flickr)

Sustainability

Ravi Narayanan, Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific Water Forum, discusses the role of the United States in influencing Asia's approach to climate change.

June 29th by Ravi Narayanan | Comments

Rethinking Food Trade Amid Extreme Weather

Farmers plant rice in Thailand. (♥siebe ©/Flickr)

Sustainability

Peter Timmer speculates on what the increase in "extreme weather" means for the global food trade.

June 28th by Peter Timmer | Comments

Video: Latest Khmer Rouge Trial Underway in Cambodia, But Will There be More?

Policy

Asia Society Bernard Schwartz Associate Fellow John Ciorciari on why Case 002 in the Khmer Rouge tribunals could be the last.

June 27th by Bryan Le | Comments

Asian Countries Must 'Act Decisively' Before Climate-Related Disasters

Ningxia Yinyi wind farm. Ningxia Province, China. (Land Rover Our Planet/Flickr)

Sustainability

Ravi Narayanan of the Asia Pacific Water Forum discusses the need for disaster preparedness among both developing and developed Asian countries.

June 27th by Ravi Narayanan | Comments

Hassina Sherjan: U.S. Needs to Stay in Afghanistan Another '15, 20 Years'

Hassina Sherjan in New York on June 23, 2011.

Policy

Following Obama's troop drawdown timetable, Hassina Sherjan discusses what the U.S. must do before leaving Afghanistan.

June 24th by Bryan Le | Comments

Experts: Afghan 'Arab Spring' Would Lead to 'Anarchy and Chaos'

Panelists speaking at Asia Society Southern California's discussion on Afghanistan in Los Angeles on June 21, 2011.

Policy

Asia Society Southern California held a panel discussion Tuesday to discuss the proposed troop drawdown.

June 23rd by Bryan Le | Comments