Toil and Trouble off China's Southern Coast
Published on Aug 2, 2015 by Luke Hunt
Naval brinkmanship in the South China Sea is taking a backseat to diplomacy, trade and the international courts. For the time being at least, regional governments are holding back and carefully weighing the ramifications of a conflict in the disputed waters.The softly-softly approach was adopted by ASEAN countries in the wake of last year’s nasty military standoff and despite a decision by Beijing to up-the-ante over the winter with a massive land fill exercise on selective reefs, creating an international outcry.Read more from Luke Hunt in Warscapes..
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Praying for a Pope and a Dose of Common Sense
Published on Jan 11, 2015 by Luke Hunt
When Pope Francis makes his first trip to the very Catholic Philippines later this month, long-term observers will be hoping the head of the Holy See will move away from the harsh, more traditional doctrine of the past, with a liberal dose of realism in his sermons.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..
Aung San Suu Kyi Concedes she will not be Myanmar's next President
Myanmar’s opposition leader and democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi has acknowledged she will be unable to become her country’s next president after elections later this year, a decision that will disappoint millions of her supporters.Read more from Lindsay Murdoch in The Age..
Perhaps Its Time to Call It ‘Burma,’ Again
Published on Nov 23, 2014 by Luke Hunt
Myanmar, or Burma as some people prefer to call it, has been cut much slack in recent years with its supporters urging patience and understanding as it attempts to reform itself. This was highlighted by the recent visit of U.S. President Barack Obama, who had hoped to coax further reforms out of Naypyidaw and President Thein Sein during the recent East Asia summit.Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat..
With Guests Arriving, Myanmar Accused of Backsliding
Published on Nov 9, 2014 by Luke Hunt
World leaders including Tony Abbott and Barack Obama travel to Myanmar this week amid concern the country is backsliding on sectarian violence, media freedom and democracy two years after Western nations started lifting economic sanctions.Read more from Lindsay Murdoch in The Age..
