Monthly Archives: January 2020

Myanmar and Rohingyas: Brutal Treatment or Genocide? KB Teo SYNOPSIS Since 2016, the Myanmese military (Tatmadaw) has conducted a violent campaign to force the Muslim Rohingyas to neighbouring Bangladesh.  Myanmar is a Buddhist nation. Ten thousand Rohingyas have already been killed, especially in Rakhine state (northwestern Myanmar). More than 730,000 have fled Myanmar to neighbouringContinue reading “Myanmar and Rohingyas: Brutal Treatment or Genocide?”

Hong Kong Turmoil 2019: A Dismal Future? KB Teo SYNOPSIS There are three main causes.  One, fear over Beijing’s growing control. Two, erosion of its “freedoms”.   Three, the high costs of living. Many Hong Kongers cannot afford decent housing. COMMENTARY Under the 30 June 1997, China-UK Handover Agreement, Beijing promised to maintain Hong Kong’sContinue reading “Hong Kong Turmoil 2019: A Dismal Future?”

Xi-Modi 2019 Summit:  Start of a New Era? KB Teo SYNOPSIS In the 1950s, when China-India ties were close, New Delhi was among the first states to recognise Mao Zedong’s new China. All this changed with the 1962 border war. The recent Xi-Modi summit in India was aimed at ushering in a new prosperous “Chindia”Continue reading “Xi-Modi 2019 Summit: Start of a New Era?”

ASEAN: Towards a   Security Community? KB Teo SYNOPSIS The EU is the only regional organisation to develop into a Security Community.  ASEAN is steadily growing into one. To achieve regional political integration, ASEAN’s strategy is to promote strong economic growth and actively engage all the Great Powers. COMMENTARY Sixteen years ago, ASEAN declared its goalContinue reading “ASEAN: Towards a Security Community?”

North Korea: Why it is  Unlikely to  Denuclearise KB Teo After two summits with Trump, there are reasons to believe that North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un is having the last laugh on the American president. It is unlikely that Kim will de-nuclearise as Trump wants.  There are three factors: the persistence of the US threatContinue reading “North Korea: Why it is Unlikely to Denuclearise”

Vietnam’s Political Economy 2019: Robust Growth Amid Growing Dissent KB Teo SYNOPSIS Vietnam’s growth is robust.  Over the past decade, growth has exceeded 6%.  The ruling Vietnam Communist Party (VCP) is re-asserting control in the face of growing internal dissent.  Hanoi is seeking to improve ties with China, its giant northern neighbour. COMMENTARY 2018 wasContinue reading “Vietnam’s Political Economy 2019: Robust Growth Amid Growing Dissent”

Myanmar’s Political Economy 2019 Economic Reforms and Rohingyas KB Teo SYNOPSIS Myanmar is focused on capitalist economic opening to achieve higher growth.  There are strong Western criticisms against its Rohingya policy. Yangon prioritises relations with ASEAN and China. COMMENTARY Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) prioritises economic liberalisation. TheContinue reading “Myanmar’s Political Economy 2019: Economic Reforms and Rohingyas”