Politics

Myanmar President, Htin Kyaw
Politics

Myanmar President Htin Kyaw takes back-seat role

Suu Kyi's longtime aide appears content helping her stabilize the government

23 March 2017
One of Cambodia's crowded public hospitals (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Insurance promises Asia much more than peace of mind

Expanding coverage would keep countries' 'economic wheels' turning

23 March 2017
A production line at Honda's new plant in Prachinburi, Thailand
Economy

ASEAN finds free trade a tougher sell in today's environment

As the U.S. pulls back and China expands, Southeast Asia tries to adjust

23 March 2017
One of Cambodia's crowded public hospitals (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Insurance promises Asia much more than peace of mind

Expanding coverage would keep countries' 'economic wheels' turning

23 March 2017
A bond issue backed by the Asian Development Bank is helping to pay for upgrades to geothermal power plants on the Philippine island of Luzon. (Courtesy of AP Renewables Inc.)
Economy

Insurers help to pay for Asia's infrastructure needs

Cash-strapped governments are raising money for projects with long-term debt

23 March 2017
India is expanding a crop insurance program to help farmers hit by hard times.
Economy

Microinsurance closes gaps in social safety nets

Supplementary health coverage and crop insurance are important anti-poverty tools in developing Asia

23 March 2017
Boys play on the riverbank near the Myitsone site in Myanmar's Kachin State.
Economy

Hydropower threatens peace in Myanmar -- but it doesn't have to

Dialogue, transparency and foreign support could help rebuild local trust

22 March 2017
Myanmar military commander in chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing chat​s​ with ​ethnic representatives next to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi after the opening ceremony of the 21st Century Panglong Conference in Naypyitaw on Aug. 31.
Politics

Myanmar's government -- time for course correction?

One year on, it is time for Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD to take stock

21 March 2017
A man crosses a road while vehicles stop at a traffic light, in downtown Yangon, Myanmar.
Politics

Myanmar braces for 30% drop in foreign investment

Slump in oil, gas investment sparks push for policy reforms

21 March 2017
​Former ​Karen ​refugee Ma Zar Zar moved ​early this year with her family ​into one of the ​Japanese-built ​resettlement houses in Lay Kay Kaw village, Kayin Stat​e; ​​she was glad to return but ​is ​struggling to earn income​,​with ​few job ​options ​near ​the resettlement site​. ​(Photo by Laignee Barron)
Politics

Japan's gamble to help Myanmar's peace process

Donor resettlement project aims to support cease-fire

20 March 2017
Julie Bishop, the Australian foreign minister, addressed the Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies, an independent strategic research organization, during her visit to the Philippines as part of a brief tour of Southeast Asia.
Politics

Australia's Bishop gives sermon to ASEAN on diplomacy

'Arbitration has set out some very clear recommendations'

16 March 2017
A supporter of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party takes part in a march to deliver a petition to the parliament and King Norodom Sihamoni, asking them to intervene in the country's political crisis, in Phnom Penh on May 30, 2016.
16 March 2017
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Economy

Cambodia's teachers cannot afford to be professional

Bribery has become part of a 'systematically corrupt' education system

16 March 2017
A new Chinese-built bridge, on the right, spans the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh, running parallel to the bridge Japan helped construct in the 1960s. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

The 'Chinazation' of Cambodia

China's deepening economic presence is bringing progress -- but at what cost?

16 March 2017
Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks at the Cambodia International Business Summit in Phnom Penh on Feb. 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Cambodian 'democracy' is on its last legs

The facade of freedom is fading as Hun Sen puts civil society in his crosshairs

16 March 2017
A supporter of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party takes part in a march to deliver a petition to the parliament and King Norodom Sihamoni, asking them to intervene in the country's political crisis, in Phnom Penh on May 30, 2016.
16 March 2017
A new Chinese-built bridge, on the right, spans the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh, running parallel to the bridge Japan helped construct in the 1960s. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Cambodia's Crumbling Future

The 'Chinazation' of Cambodia

China's deepening economic presence is bringing progress -- but at what cost?

16 March 2017
Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks at the Cambodia International Business Summit in Phnom Penh on Feb. 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Cambodia's Crumbling Future

Cambodian 'democracy' is on its last legs

The facade of freedom is fading as Hun Sen puts civil society in his crosshairs

16 March 2017
Nom Vannary, center, a farmer from Koh Kong Province, says she was beaten by security guards in Phnom Penh for attempting to protest land seizures. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Hollow growth leaves Cambodians wanting more

Corruption, lagging development foster discontent ahead of election season

16 March 2017
Nom Vannary, center, a farmer from Koh Kong Province, says she was beaten by security guards in Phnom Penh for attempting to protest land seizures. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Cambodia's Crumbling Future

Hollow growth leaves Cambodians wanting more

Corruption, lagging development foster discontent ahead of election season

16 March 2017
Gen. Ne Win in 1962: The man who ushered in decades of military rule in Myanmar believed nine was his lucky number.
Politics

The magic in Myanmar's numbers

When dealing with Naypyitaw, ignore numerology at your peril

9 March 2017
Kachin Independence Army soldiers run at a KIA training center near Laiza in Myanmar's Kachin State. (Photo by Steve Tickner)
Politics

Yun Sun: Aung San Suu Kyi's passivity threatens Myanmar peace efforts

Fighting between the military and armed ethnic groups heats up as talks stall

9 March 2017
Mu Sochua, a lawmaker of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, makes a speech during a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements in front of the CNRP headquarters in October, 2016.
Politics

Leadership reshuffle emboldens Cambodia's political opposition

New opposition leaders augur bold but 'quixotic' challenge to Hun Sen

3 March 2017
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Politics

Airport 'hit' strains North Korea's relationship with Southeast Asia

Malaysia is reviewing diplomatic ties over the use of a banned nerve agent

2 March 2017
Min Min Oo, center, resigns as chief minister of Mon State in late February.
Politics

Key minister's departure a bright spot for Suu Kyi

Clean government drive one of few positives amid mounting criticism

1 March 2017