Sleepy, landlocked Laos is undergoing rapid changes as China builds connections to mainland Southeast Asia ByPepe Escobar, Luang Prabang The small wooden boats slowly make their way down the brown waters of the Mekong at sunset. Flowing meditation – just enjoying the silence, watching the river flow. Then, suddenly, in the distance, an apparition – … Continue reading Where the Silk Roads meet the mighty Mekong
By Xuan Loc Doan Over the past month, some international news outlets have reported that Vietnam is pursuing a strong stance on the South China Sea. Yet a closer look at Hanoi’s overall position – as well as those of other countries and international entities – vis-à-vis the maritime issue shows that is not the … Continue reading Is Vietnam adopting a tough South China Sea posture?
In a nod towards Beijing, city-state puts free trade rather than South China Sea disputes at center of regional bloc's 2018 agenda By Richard Javad Heydarian Singapore’s anticipated chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) opened on the weekend with a summit that reaffirmed the city-state’s vision of a “rules-based” regional order but … Continue reading Singapore-led Asean favors China over US
Cambodian premier's deep embrace of China has come to the detriment of his long-time benefactor Vietnam By Alan Parkhouse As global pressure steadily mounts on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen over his crackdown on the opposition, independent media, nongovernmental organizations and other critics, he is also in danger of losing one of his few close … Continue reading Hun Sen willing to risk losing his oldest ally
An Asia Times investigation into Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh shows the insurgent Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army relies on religion and coercion to recruit its sometimes reluctant members By Carlos Sardiña Galache Four months ago, while walking to his house from the mosque in his village in Maungdaw in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, Rasheed Ali was … Continue reading Inside view of Myanmar’s Rohingya insurgency
