Category: Asia

‘Liberal civic nationalism’ triumphs in Taiwan poll

     

“Our democratic system, national identity and international space must be respected,” Tsai Ing-wen [left] said on Jan. 16 in her first remarks as president-elect in Taiwan. Tsai and her Democratic Progressive… Read more »

Killing of Balochistan leader a setback for peace prospects

     

The killing of a pro-independence Balochistan leader, Dr. Manan, on Saturday by the Pakistani security forces in Mastung is a great setback for establishing peace in a volatile region, says… Read more »

China’s Grand Strategy raises ‘world’s most significant foreign policy question’

     

  President Xi Jinping appears to be treading a similar path to the Chinese emperors during the legendary surpluses of the Han dynasty, an age characterized by the first Chinese… Read more »

‘Politics of fear’ threatens rights, prompts civil society ‘choke-out’

     

  The politics of fear led to a global roll-back of human rights and a great civil society choke-out during 2015, according to the 659-page World Report 2016 from Human… Read more »

Democracy takes global ‘battering’

     

Global democracy has endured a battering over the past decade, and those who hoped for a brighter century may be wondering when to expect relief, note Mark Lagon, the president… Read more »

China’s rise not making world more authoritarian – for now

     

Democratic uprisings are worrisome for Chinese leaders as they could spill over and inspire similar anti-government protests at home, notes Julia Bader, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the University… Read more »

Fearing social instability, China waging ‘lawfare’ on NGOs

     

China’s Communist authorities are intensifying a crackdown on dissent, civil society and growing labor unrest, reflecting the ruling party’s concern that economic restructuring and dislocation will “threaten social stability.” “If… Read more »

‘American original’ Robert Pickus spoke truth to power

     

Robert Pickus, who devoted his life to developing non-violent alternatives to war, died on Friday in St. Helena, Ca. He was 92, The New York Times reports: War, he argued,… Read more »