Opinion Asia - West Asia and Central Asia

Sanctions still the best bet against Iran

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 10:55:42 +0800

A greater effort at international diplomacy may well work in America’s interests. Secretary of State Rice’s language of “tough diplomacy” with Iran at an AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) conference on 3 June 2008, ultimately represents the only real choice for America and its allies.

The Iraq Quagmire: Taking a peek into Japanese History

Wed, 5 Sep 2007 15:07:38 +0800

The disastrous Japanese occupation of China in the 1930s and 40s offers useful lessons to the United States as it determines an exit strategy. The reality of counter-insurgency and the prospect of Balkanisation in Iraq has made the development of a conceivable exit plan more urgent than ever.

Deciphering the Great Game: Towards a Sino-Russian Chessboard?

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:10:11 +0800

It would be folly to write off the Americans and Europeans, while presuming the victory of the Chinese and Russians. They have fallen out in the past. Cooperation today may yet fall victim to deap-seated rivalry.

Behind Oil and Gas: India's interests in Central Asia

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:24:08 +0800

From a geopolitical and security perspective too, the Himalayas have never been India's frontier. Today, as in the past, Central Asia continues to play an important role in India's security. Thus India cannot afford a passive approach to Central Asia - it must be a player.

Russia's Pipeline Diplomacy: Back to the Future?

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:24:10 +0800

The politics of oil and gas in Central Asia, a region Russia has long claimed as its sphere of influence, is more likely to represent a flashpoint of international significance as opposed to President Putin's hawkish comments over US missile defence strategies on the heels of the recent G8 Summit.

The Sunni-Shia imbroglio in the Middle East

Thu, 7 Jun 2007 14:58:34 +0800

Sunni leaders in the Middle East are concerned that their own minority Shia populations may grow more assertive in view of developments in Iraq.The oil-rich eastern regions of Saudi Arabia host a substantial Shia population, while Kuwait, another oil-rich country counts thirty percent of its population as Shia.

My Lai on the Euphrates: Destroying Iraq in order to save it

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:25:08 +0800

Despite the fact that the Democrats are right in demanding eventual withdrawal, there is an underlying tone of self-righteous paternalism in all this which implies that after all the US has "done" for Iraq, the time has come for Iraqis to stop free-loading on their American saviours.

Asia's interest in the Middle East - The Straits of Hormuz

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:04:33 +0800

The United States recently led the first multinational naval exercise in the Persian Gulf to practice interception of ships suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction. Iran responded by holding its own military manoeuvres near the mouth of the Gulf, the third such show of strength this year.

What everyone needs to know about Hezbollah

Sat, 12 Aug 2006 11:20:59 +0800

There is a misunderstanding in Israel and the United States that Israel can militarily rid Lebanon of Hezbollah, or the Party of God. Instead of inaccurately dismissing Hezbollah as nothing but "terrorist" and relying soley on military muscle, Israel and the United States need to back negotiations that are rooted in a more nuanced understanding of the force they are out to destroy.

Why the Middle East conflict matters

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 08:40:56 +0800

As the conflict between Hizbollah and Hamas on the one side and Israel on the other rages on, the impact of the conflict on Asia has been negligible. Nontheless, Israel's aggresive policies in South Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip are likely to leave a lasting impact on Asia's Muslim populations.