Dive into the archives.
- Yes we can
Kaplan explains how we could invade Burma and how it would work. (Thanks Eddie!)
The New York Times
May 14, 2008
Aid at the Point of a Gun
By ROBERT D. KAPLANMae Sot, Thailand: MORE than 60,000 people may have died as a result of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, and at least 1.5 million are homeless or otherwise [...]
- The Japan-Malaysia Party Politics Parallel
Both Malaysia and Japan are democratic states. Yet both have seen a majority party in control of all branches of government for many decades. In Japan, it’s the Liberal Democratic Party, while in Malaysia, it’s the Barisan Nasional (National Front). Elections a few years ago in both countries rewarded both – [...]
- A future succession crisis for Tibetan Buddhism
The recent adoption of a law in China prohibiting “unauthorized reincarnation” has made the media rounds for its wackiness. But this law has implications for future Tibetan politics and religion, as alluded to in this week’s Economist magazine.
The current (14th) Dalai Lama is 72 and living in exile in India. When he dies the search [...]
- Burma + human rights aid workers = “Your worst nightmare.”
Who says Hollywood has run out of recycled plotlines? Synopsis here.
- Singapore Rejoins UNESCO
As of this Monday 8 October 2007, Singpore rejoined UNESCO after more than two decades of absence from the international organization. UNESCO stands for the “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization” and has existed since the UN was founded in 1945 to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, [...]
- The Burmese connection
The Beeb posts an overview of the major Western and Asian players’ views and approaches to the junta in Myanmar. It includes ASEAN, China, EU, India, Russia, UK and USA. I think they have mistakenly left out Japan, an important force for development in southeast Asia for the past few decades. Not to mention one [...]
- Things change
Tokugawa clan looks to slam the gate on future chief’s marriage to foreigner
Modern day members of the Tokugawa clan—the xenophobic dynasty of Shoguns that shut Japan off from the world for centuries—are up in arms because the man set to one day become head of the family has married a non-Japanese. Iehiro Tokugawa, who [...]
- “Not Valid for Travel In Iraq”
While reading this sad story about an Indian contractor working for the US military injured in Iraq, I noticed that India has told its citizens not to work in Iraq since 2004, when three Indian contractors were kidnapped. But what can a country do prevent its citizens taking work in dangerous locations that pays [...]
- Malacca Strait pwn3d
An editorial in the Jakarta Post lambasts the Indonesian government over its obstinate policies for protecting the Malacca Strait.
While we fully support the sovereignty of the three countries [Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore], we also want to remind them that all stakeholders in the strait have the right to play a role in ensuring the safety [...]
- Myanmar’s Fuel Woes
In June, I posted on Iran’s censorship of the press after its outraged citizens tourched gas stations after unannounced fuel rationing and price hikes. Iran is a major oil exporter, but has no does not have enough refineries and must import its gasoline.
Iran isn’t the only authoritarian regime with these issues— Myanmar just imposed [...]
