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year-end 2011

Migrant construction workers outside of Bangkok, Thailand. (Flickr/Ronn aka "Blue" Aldaman)

Climate Change, Maids and Refugees: Asian Migration in 2011

In the Asia-Pacific region, large-scale migration continues to be an upwardly trending phenomenon and, sadly, migrant vulnerability and exploitation is glaringly apparent, writes Andrew Billo. more
A Pakistani man browses the internet in a net cafe in Karachi on May 31, 2010. (Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty Images)

2011: The Year of Social Media in Pakistan

Social media has been the single most important platform for the silent Pakistani majority to share its rejection of terrorism, writes Ayesha Haroon. more
China will continue to take steps to ultimately make the yuan, pictured, a convertible currency. (Flickr/David Dennis)

2012: 5 Asia Finance Trends to Watch For

Credit is tightening, economic growth is moderating, and property prices are finally falling, yet Asia remains one of the few true growth regions of the world, writes Sheridan Prasso. more
Will a severe gender imbalance leave these Chinese boys bride-less? (Flickr/tuppaware_001)

2012: Watch Out For the Chinese Bachelors

A severe gender imbalance will leave 40 million Chinese men without a bride, writes Alexandra Harney. more
Toys in the form of exiled former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on sale in Bangkok. (Flickr/Pittaya Sroilong)

2011: In Thailand, the Pardon That Wasn't

Whatever you think of Thaksin Shinawatra, his refusal to return to Thailand has been destabilizing for the country, writes Duncan McCargo. more
Hu Yong is one of China's leading experts on new media.

2011: Hu Yong Looks Back on the Year in Chinese Media (New and Old)

The only useful outlet for the expression of popular concerns in China is the internet, says new media expert Hu Yong. more
Graduating students in Singapore stand in the shape of the island nation. (Flickr/Joshua Sosrosaputro)

2012 (and beyond): What American Educators Can Learn From Asia

Put simply, many Asian nations’ are actively working to develop their students’ global competence, writes Asia Society's Anthony Jackson. more
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)

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

"As the smoke has cleared and the dust has settled, the situation appears depressingly normal," writes Bertil Lintner. more
The site of the proposed Xayaburi Dam in Laos on July 22, 2011. The dam was at the middle of one of several "micro-disputes" in Southeast Asia in 2011. (Flickr/International Rivers)

2011: The Year of the Southeast Asia Mini-Crisis

A look back at 2011's "micro-disputes" in Southeast Asia may provide a glimpse into the types of spats the region will continue to face, writes Andrew Billo. more
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R), the presumptive heir to current President Hu Jintao, speaks with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen in Beijing on July 11, 2011. Xi is just one of several new world leaders who could have a major impact on Asia in 2012 and beyond. Photo by Chad J. McNeeley. (Flickr/Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)

2012: Coming Year's Leadership Transitions Could Have Major Asia Impact

The stage is set for increased scrutiny around upcoming elections in Taiwan, the United States and South Korea, and a leadership transition scheduled to take place in China, writes Michael Kulma. more