China’s Crisis – As the Bo Xilai saga continues, the New York Times reveals that for much of the last decade, while the now-disgraced official was moving up the ranks of the Communist Party, his relatives were using his …
Burma
Burma: E.U. Suspends Sanctions, but a Political Impasse Threatens Progress
Citing “historic changes,” the European Union on Monday announced it would suspend nearly all sanctions on Burma for a year. The new policy, which goes into effect this week, will ease trade, economic and personal restrictions, …
A Historic Visit to Burma by Britain’s PM Validates the Country’s Recent Reforms
Burma proved a particularly unwilling member of the British Empire. It took three Anglo-Burmese wars to bring the colony into the fold and rebellions against the colonial overlords erupted with regularity—not to mention …
Burma: First an Election, Now an Exchange Rate That Makes Sense
Burma’s central bank has set a new value on the national currency to reflect what it’s actually worth. But much more needs to be done to fix the country’s broken economy
Burma’s T-Shirt Trade: Suddenly, Aung San Suu Kyi is Everywhere
She stands watch over tea shops and street stalls, dangles from rear-view mirrors. Not long ago, you could be jailed for having her portrait. Now, the Lady is ubiquitous.
On April 1, Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi led the …
Burma’s ‘New Era’: Hope, Humor and a Long Road Ahead
On the morning of April 1, before the sun rose high above Rangoon, Zu Zu called her brother on the phone. “I have bad news,” she said.
Zu Zu, 23, radiant and quietly rebellious, left her hometown in the Shan Hills three years …
Ballot Box Watch: Your Guide to April Elections
Global Spin previews this month’s upcoming polls around the world
Must-Reads from Around the World: April 2, 2012
Eying the Presidency – The Daily News Egypt assesses the implications of the surprising nomination of the Muslim Brotherhood’s key financier and long-time chief whip Khairat Al-Shater for the upcoming presidential elections – …
The Opposition Claims Victory as Burma Revels in the Freedom from Fear
At party headquarters, it was the party to end all parties. For too long, the bumpy, betel-stained strip of pavement in front of the Rangoon office of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Burma’s opposition party, felt like …
A Landmark Election Unfolds in Burma and the Opposition Starts Celebrating Victory
The line of disappointed Burmese wandered down the dirt road from the polling station to the betel-nut shack. Perhaps a hit of the addictive chew would soothe their nerves. On April 1, Burmese went to the voting booths for just …
As Burma Heads for a Historic Vote, the Opposition Decries Campaign Infractions
The Burmese campaign irregularity was round, hard and launched from a slingshot. In March, an unknown assailant fired a betel nut at an opposition party candidate for the April 1 by-elections, nearly causing an injury. The …
Must-Reads from Around the World: March 30, 2012
War on Islam – The Washington Post reports that early morning raids in Paris and other French cities led to the arrest of 19 people suspected of radical Islamist activity. The raids come in the wake of al-Qaeda-inspired gunman …
Burma: Election Fever Heats Up and Even the Military’s Party Plays Along
At the campaign rally on the outskirts of Rangoon, Burma’s largest city, much appeared as it should be. A sweaty crowd, thousands strong, dutifully waved green-and-red party flags; many sported baseball caps with the Union …