Asia-Pacific

Image: North Korea Test-Fires New 'Long-Range Cruise Missile': KCNA

North Korea Flexes its Nuclear Muscles – and Defies the Western World

By Thalif Deen

NEW YORK (IDN) – North Korea, long dubbed as a "hermit kingdom" has continued to remain cut off from the rest of the world—politically, economically and geographically.

But neither rigid sanctions, nor international isolation and growing food insecurities, have prevented the country—officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)—from making significant advances as the world’s ninth nuclear power, along with the US, Britain, France, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Israel.

: Thalif Deen; ARMAMENTS; Nuclear Weapons; 17 October 2021

Photo: NZ Broadcasting and Media Minister Kris Faafoi's ambition is to “reflect the cultural diversity of New Zealand”. Credit: Samuel Rillstone/RNZ

With Public Interest Journalism Fund, NZ Seeks To 'Normalise' Diversity

By Sri Krishnamurthi

The author wrote this article for the IDN partner Asia-Pacific Report on October 13.

WELLINGTON (IDN) — The announcement in February of a new $55 million, three-year Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF) by Minister for Broadcasting and Media Kris Faafoi suggested a revitalisation of tired old traditional media models.

Since then it has been viewed suspiciously by journalists with right-leaning tendencies and denizens of the dark who contend the government is attempting to curry favour with this bauble.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; SUSTAINABILITY; Peace & Justice; 15 October 2021

Photo: King Mohammed Zahir Shah and the visiting Afghan delegation with Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai and the Chinese leadership in Beijing on November 1, 1964. Wikimedia Commons.

China Resolute to Establish Geostrategic Foothold In A New Afghanistan

Viewpoint by BM Jain

The writer is a Professor of Political Science and the Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Journal of Asian Affairs.

NEW DELHI (IDN) — China is determined to establish a geostrategic foothold in the new Taliban-led Afghanistan. A decade ago, China forayed into Afghanistan’s strategic space by inking deals with the Afghan government in the mining, power and oilfields sectors—although Afghanistan’s chaotic political environment prevented any real progress. China then played a key role in facilitating peace talks with the Taliban from 2014. With the Taliban back in power, China can once again advance its interests.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 10 October 2021

Photo: President Joe Biden delivering his inaugural address on 20 January 2020. Credit: The White House.

US Facing End of Its Unipolar Moment

Viewpoint by Shastri Ramachandaran*

NEW DELHI (IDN) — Recent developments—such as the pandemic’s impact, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, its nuclear submarine deal with Australia and the release of Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou—once again raise the question of whether the US remains the world’s sole superpower with its hegemony unchallenged. As is the wont in matters concerning the United States, analysts are divided on the subject, as they have been since the global financial crisis of 2008.

: Shastri Ramachandaran; OPINION; 02 October 2021

Clollage of pictures: (left) Shuttered massage parlours in Pratunam area and Rachanee: With massage business down, Rachanee sells BBQ pork in the pavement outside her apartment. Credit: Pattama Vilailert.

Without Tourists Thailand’s Famous Massage Industry on The Brink of Collapse

By Pattama Vilailert

BANGKOK(IDN) — Thailand’s famous tourist industry has been synonymous with its traditional massage parlours and treatment centres. But the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns are having a serious impact on the industry and may force foreign takeovers. The continuous lockdowns have impacted savagely on the spa and massage business.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; SUSTAINABILITY; Health & Well Being; 02 October 2021

Photo: EU and Chinese delegations negotiating. Credit: Italian Institute for International Political Studies

EU Pivot to Asia

Viewpoint by Israel Rafalovich

BRUSSELS (IDN) — The EU and Asia are undergoing rapid changes in an increasingly globalised World. The Asian trade community is gripped with fear and Asia's economic growth will get to a slowdown because of the impact of coronavirus. The slowdown would be worse than the global financial crisis of 2008-09 and the Asian financial crisis of 1997.

: Europe Editor; OPINION; 01 October 2021

New Fortress Energy, Sri Lanka, and Planet Earth

By Dr Asoka Bandarage

The writer, a scholar and practitioner, has taught at Yale, Brandeis, Mount Holyoke (where she received tenure), Georgetown, American and other universities and colleges in the U.S. and abroad.

COLOMBO (IDN) — On September 17, New Fortress Energy (NFE), a U.S.-based energy infrastructure company, signed a momentous legal agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL). The signing apparently took place in the dead of the night, at 12.06 a.m., and the foreigner who came for the signing swiftly returned to the U.S. on a flight at 2 a.m.

: Asia Editor; SUSTAINABILITY; Affordable Clean Energy; 30 September 2021

Image: PCU Virginia (SSN 774) | Wikipedia Commons

Australia's Nuclear-Powered Submarines Will Risk Opening a Pandora's Box of Proliferation

Viewpoint by Tariq Rauf

This article was issued by Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission.

VIENNA (IDN) — After first suffering a seeming “brain snap” to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) some years back, at long last Australia has been promised a fleet of eight SSNs by the Biden administration under the newly minted and awkwardly named AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and United States) alliance against China.

: Opinion Editor; ARMAMENTS; Nuclear Weapons; 30 September 2021

Photo: A missile is seen in this undated picture released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on September 29, 2021 © KCNA

Two Tracks Out of North Korean Nuclear Crisis

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power

LUND, Sweden (IDN) — On September 15 news broke that North Korea had test-fired two ballistic missiles off its east coast. On the same day, South Korea announced it had successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile. The dangerous arms race between the contestants in what is in effect a civil war was wound up a few more notches. It has been going on for decades. Peace-making initiatives have been and gone. The Biden Administration and its partner (erstwhile?) in this endeavour, the Chinese government, appears to be treading water.

: Jonathan Power; ARMAMENTS; Nuclear Weapons; 29 September 2021

Philippines: Supporting The Weavers of Lousiana

Our Better World

LUISIANA, Philippines (IDN/OBW) — Each day, Maria’s Kitchen, a bakery in Laguna, sells tray after tray of ube cheese pandesal (cheese and yam infused bread rolls) and other breads and cakes.

But there is more to these baked goods than belly-rubbing yumminess; the simple and elegant pandan leaf boxes that bear them tell a story of their own.