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Before the Gold Rush: A Call for Responsible Mining in Afghanistan

A man melts gold to be re-formed as jewelry in a shop in Herat, Afghanistan, on Feb. 27, 2010. Undeveloped gold and other mineral deposits in Afghanistan have the potential to transform its economy. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)
Sustainability

Simran Sethi discusses the importance of considering society and environment when developing Afghanistan's mining industry.

June 10th by Simran Sethi | Comments

Chinese Dilemmas in the South China Sea

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie gestures during a courtesy visit to Philippine President Benigno Aquino (unseen) at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on May 23, 2011. Aquino said he hoped his talks with Liang would help to avoid a real conflict over the chain of islands in the South China Sea which both countries claim. (Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images)
Policy

Aggressive maritime maneuvers may not serve China's long-term interests, says John D. Cioriciari. 

June 10th by John Ciorciari | Comments

Asia Society Remembers Pre-Eminent Indian Painter M.F. Husain, 1915-2011

M.F. Husain (1915-2011) in March 1999, seated in front of his 40-foot (13-meter) canvas <i>VIOLENCE</i> at Gallery 7 in Mumbai, India. (Sebastian D'Souza/AFP/Getty Images)
Arts

M.F. Husain's passing at 96 years of age signals the end of an era.

June 9th by Melissa Chiu | Comments

Hassan Abbas Picks His Top Five Books on Reforming Pakistan

Asia Society Bernard Schwartz Fellow Hassan Abbas in Houston, Texas in 2009. (Asia Society Texas Center)
Education

Hassan Abbas suggests five books that he feels are critical to understanding and solving the issues that hinder reform in Pakistan.

June 9th by Bryan Le | Comments

Orville Schell: China's Direct Investment in Latin America a 'Tipping Point'

China's Vice-President Xi Jinping (L) is seen alongside Cuban President Raul Castro (R), on June 5, 2011 at Revolution Palace in Havana. China has investments in transportation, oil, appliances, communications and tourism in Cuba. (Alejandro Ernesto/AFP/Getty Images)
Business

Orville Schell spoke with the Associated Press about China's recent Latin-American investment spree, and what it could mean for international trade.

June 9th by Bryan Le | Comments

Maziar Bahari: Iran's Rulers Possibly 'Genocidal, Not Suicidal'

Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari, detained by Iranian authorities for 118 days in 2009, at Asia Society New York on June 7, 2011. (Video below.)
Policy

The Iranian-Canadian journalist, jailed by Iran's rulers in 2009, offers a nuanced view of the controversial nuclear program.

June 8th by Jeff Tompkins | Comments

Himalayan Meltdown: New Climate Change Film to Screen at Asia Society

Sustainability

Co-produced by the UN Development Programme, Arrowhead Films and Discovery Channel Asia, Himalayan Meltdown examines how the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and rising sea levels are affecting people in China, India, Bangladesh, Nepal.

June 8th by Dan Washburn | Comments

Interview: After Li Na's French Open Win, Will More Chinese Athletes 'Fly Alone'?

China's Li Na holds the Roland Garros French Open tennis championship trophy in front of the Eiffel Tower on June 4, 2011 in Paris a few hours after winning the French Open Women's final. Li Na made sporting history at the French Open today when she became the first player from China and from Asia to win a Grand Slam singles title. (Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images)
Lifestyle

Beijing-based American writer Maggie Rauch discusses the importance of Li Na's French Open victory and what it might mean for the future of Chinese sports.

June 7th by Dan Washburn | Comments

No Short-Term Solutions for Cities Facing Climate Change

A girl collects water from a ditch in Hubei Province, China, in Mar. 2008. In China, an estimated 300 million rural residents still have low access to safe drinking water, and 400 cities face water shortages. (China Photos/Getty Images)
Sustainability

This week, we asked our Sustainability Roundtable to reflect on last week’s C40 Cities climate leadership group meeting in Brazil, where the World Bank signed an agreement with mayors from around the world to provide significant technical and financial assistance for climate-change-reduction projects. Are cities in the right position to manage the effects of climate change?

June 7th by Ravi Narayanan | Comments

Sharp Elbows for China from a Neighbor

Getting an earful: Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie puts on a headset to listen at the Asia-Pacific security forum in Singapore on June 4, 2011. (Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images)
Policy

Anti-China protests in Vietnam may herald a greater threat to governments in Hanoi and Beijing than they realize. 

June 6th by admin | Comments

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