Asia-America Issues
Fergana Valley’s Violent Reputation ‘Inaccurate’ - Analysts
By John Feffer
WASHINGTON, Mar 29 (IPS) - The Fergana Valley in the centre of Central Asia has a reputation for instability, violent conflict, and Islamic fundamentalism. The three countries whose borders intersect in this densely populated mountainous region – Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan – have struggled to build modern states in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. This process has indeed been tumultuous.
JAPAN/US: The Pacific and Not-So-Pacific Oceans
By John Feffer
WASHINGTON, Mar 7 (IPS) - The seas both divide and unite Japan and the United States. Caught between countering threat and promoting maritime cooperation, the two countries have worked together to build regional approaches to terrorism and piracy.
More Political Shifts Coming up in Japan
By John Feffer
WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (IPS Asia-Pacific) – Japan, traditionally a one-party state, has been ruled by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for all but one of the last 53 years. But the party’s unpopularity, the rise of a strong second party with a charismatic leader, and a limp economy may combine to upend Japanese politics this year.
Giants India, China Eye Burma
By John Feffer
WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (IPS Asia-Pacific) - When the world’s two most populous countries held a summit in January in Beijing, their agenda was heavy with their focus on collaboration.
India Returning to the Global Stage
Analysis by John Feffer
NEW DELHI, Jun 21 (IPS) - Before the age of colonialism, India was a world power. Now, like China, it is returning to the global stage. With economic growth topping 9 percent in 2007, an acknowledged nuclear capability, and a growing role in international relations, this South Asian country has attained the status of an emerging power.
SOUTH-EAST ASIA: Democratic Deficit Growing
Analysis by John Feffer
WASHINGTON, Jun 13 (IPS) - Last year’s coup in Thailand, continued extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, limitations on religious freedom in Malaysia -- South-east Asian democracies are not exactly flourishing these days.
At 40, ASEAN Turns to Economics
By John Feffer
WASHINGTON, May 25 (IPS Asia-Pacific) - South-east Asia’s key diplomatic grouping, the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN), has big plans for its 40th birthday this year.
After four decades of being largely a political and security alliance, the 10-nation ASEAN, created on August 1967, is accelerating its plans for economic integration. In fact, ASEAN leaders are so eager to pull together into an economic community that they have moved up economic benchmarks originally planned for 2020 up to 2015.
JAPAN: After Slow Start, Tokyo Engages Central Asia
By John Feffer
WASHINGTON, May 2 (IPS) - Japan was slow to realise the strategic importance of Central Asia, but has since engaged all five countries in the region, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and now plays a balancing force there.
China Remains A Question Mark for Japan, U.S.
By John Feffer
WASHINGTON, Apr 27 (IPS) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's first visit to the United States comes at a time of great uncertainty for both Japan and Asia. The North Korean nuclear crisis remains suspended between crisis and resolution. The free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea, still unratified, will have an unclear impact on the rest of East Asia.
Long Anchored in the West, Turkey Looks East
Analysis
By John Feffer
WASHINGTON, Mar 31 (IPS) - Although only 4 percent of its territory lies in Europe, Turkey has long been anchored in the West. But with full membership in the European Union on hold, the Middle East the focus of global attention, and both China and India on the rise, Turkey has begun to turn to the East.
