Opinion Asia - Asia and The World

Waiting for a Miracle: The climate debate at the G8

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 17:07:35 +0800

For its part, the US has made it apparent that it will not be a signatory to any agreements if the two emerging Asian giants, China and India, are not on board. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte made the point when he remarked,"...and if we give a pass, again, to India and China, these major rapidly growing economies, whatever measures we take are going to be totally cancelled.”

A US re-think on Pakistan: Crossing the Durand Line?

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:46:17 +0800

Now that Barack Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee for president and John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, it might be useful to speculate about how a future administration, Democratic or Republican, might act if Pakistan’s ability or willingness to tackle the Al-Qaeda are still found wanting.

Monarchies in Asia: Crowns die Hard

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:17:56 +0800

Divine origin myths have always been the bedrocks of monarchical power, but they also imply a certain expectation from the masses that the holy king should rule in an upright and spotlessly clean fashion. Charisma is not automatic, even in a hereditary religious line of succession, but earned through acts that remind people of the religious sanctity of the throne.

Japan: “Militarisation” of Space?

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 10:56:16 +0800

Japan, living in a dangerous neighbourhood, will look after its nuclear security one way or another. It is vastly preferable for regional stability that Japan continue to do so under the umbrella of the US alliance rather than opt to go it alone. That choice would almost certainly lead to Japan’s acquisition of nuclear weapons.

The Earthquake in Sichuan: The Limits of Autocracy

Mon, 26 May 2008 21:24:56 +0800

Some will see thousands of soldiers pouring into the mountains in Sichuan to dig out earthquake survivors as further evidence of the magic of China's autocracy. The zeal and determination of the government is beyond question and stands in stark contrast to the disregard and dithering of Burma's rulers following Cyclone Nargis.

US FTAs: The Legislative Block heard around the World

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:06:04 +0800

Although the furious debate on trade between the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns may seem discouraging, Asian trading partners should not despair. Either candidate, if elected, will seek to improve US global prestige, and FTAs and other trade agreements will be necessary tools to achieve that goal.

India joins China's Africa race

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:20:40 +0800

India is in competition with China to gain Africa's oil and mineral resources. But the backlash there against Chinese neo-colonialism should warn India that it must live up to its democratic ideals in engaging Africa.

From Fear to Hope: A Regional Electoral Mood Swing?

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:42:13 +0800

Electorates have their mood swings as well. This year, it seems that what appeals to their hearts is a discourse of hope and a desire to change things for the better, rather than a politics of fear. One wonders if this would also turn out to be the case in the impending US presidential elections.

Rethinking Singaporean Nationalism

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:50:59 +0800

Foreigners take up Singaporean citizenship not because they love the land (or lack of), or because their childhood memories are rooted here, but because they love the green environment, the political stability, the economic opportunities and the family-friendly conditions. In other words, new citizens love the "Singapore System", while Singaporeans born and bred, have more intimate ties to the land.

Asian-Americans prefer Hillary and McCain

Fri, 7 Mar 2008 14:36:15 +0800

Asian American newspapers observe and report who is attentive to Asia’s success and its issues. One said recently that the presidential candidates had authored articles on their foreign policy views for the prestigious journal, Foreign Affairs. Senator Obama didn’t mention Asia until page 12.

Institutional Collapse? The End of Globalisation

Mon, 3 Mar 2008 15:22:17 +0800

The global political and economic steering system having framed economic globalisation for more than fifty years, is losing power and influence. The United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation all look like a racehorse on its last legs.

Don't cry for Free Trade - Part II

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:37:49 +0800

Since recent Democrats such as Hillary Clinton have wittingly drawn on untenable assertions about the lost consensus on free trade to shift the US to protectionism in one form or another, and to deny the opportunity to the poor countries to gain from trade with the rich countries, Professor Bhagwati's article is timely and important.

The Qur'an, Hadith and Women

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:17:37 +0800

It is unfortunate that many of our Ulama are not prepared to critically evaluate Hadith which are patently in opposition to the spirit of the Qur’an. On the contrary, they keep on quoting unreliable Hadiths to keep status of women low. It is precisely for this reason that non-Muslims think very adversely about Islam and suggest that Islam has ‘suppressed’ the dignity and status of women.

Don't cry for Free Trade - Part I

Fri, 8 Feb 2008 00:02:37 +0800

This lead essay (in two parts on OpinionAsia) in a forthcoming volume edited by Ben Friedman of Harvard, based on a debate at Harvard between Professors Bhagwati and Blinder, shows why the media hype about how rich-country economists have moved away from free trade is just hype and that, in truth, the economists' consensus over free trade continues to hold.

Decoupling Asia from the US: An Asian Currency Unit?

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:51:41 +0800

While the ACU cannot be viewed as an attractive nominal anchor for Asian currencies in the near-term, it could potentially have a role to play in Asian monetary and financial cooperation in the future. This in turn should help the region gain a greater degree of economic resiliency and reduce its heavy dependence on the US dollar and the US economy.