Beijing to tighten grip on South China Sea Strategic tensions surrounding the South China Sea aren’t likely to subside, never mind that Beijing may be prepared to offer concessions to the US on the trade front in this week’s talks. Since 2009, when China surprised the world with its nine-dash-line claim that encompasses most of the waters, it has steadily sought to consolidate its presence there, including building permanent structures on islands it claims and militarising the features. Charissa Yong, our Washington Correspondent, cites newly released US intelligence assessments that point to an escalation of Chinese attempts to dominate the waters, and enlist more regional powers to its point of view that US freedom of navigation operations are worsening the security situation in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s love-and-lies cocktail Singaporeans and many worried resident foreigners are absorbing the implications of another deadly cocktail -- no, not Singapore … [Read more...] about Asian Insider Jan 30: A sensitive data breach in Singapore, Brexit and more
Muslim american relations in the philippines
Bomb blasts at cathedral in southern Philippines kill at least 20
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By By Regine Cabato The Washington Post Shibani Mahtani Sun., Jan. 27, 2019 MANILA, PHILIPPINES— Explosions Sunday morning at a cathedral in Jolo, in the Philippine region of Mindanao, killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens of others, just after a landmark vote to form a new Muslim autonomous region here following decades of unrest. The blasts underscore how elusive peace remains in the southern Philippines, where Muslim extremist groups such as Abu Sayyaf and others linked to Daesh have long wreaked havoc in the Catholic-majority country. The attacks, using two improvised explosive devices, occurred about 8:15 a.m. Sunday, just before mass, according to a statement from Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. The first bomb went off as churchgoers were attending a service, and a second was detonated as soldiers rushed into the church to respond. Philippine armed forces have been placed on high alert, securing “all places of worship … [Read more...] about Bomb blasts at cathedral in southern Philippines kill at least 20
The way forward for US-Pakistan relations
When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Pakistan this Wednesday, he will be representing one of the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Islamabad. However, the seven decades of US-Pakistan ties since then have been been far from smooth. During the Cold War, Pakistan was big supporter of the US and protected American interests in the region, including during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Pakistan was also close ally in the “war on terror” after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The dailyReport Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox However, although Pakistan extends a cordial hand of friendship to the US whenever it needs support, the US always steps back when it no longer needs a Pakistani role in an issue, and relations decline. Pakistan has faced some of the toughest and strictest US sanctions in history. The two countries have always cooperated with each other on their common goals … [Read more...] about The way forward for US-Pakistan relations
Mahathir draws new line in the South China Sea
Malaysia’s robust economic ties with China traditionally went hand-in-hand with a conciliatory approach to their low-boil territorial conflicts in the South China Sea. That “quiet diplomacy”, however, has started to come undone as Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s new government re-examines and looks to redefine the terms of its bilateral relations with Beijing The dailyReport Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox Since Mahathir’s election in May, the Southeast Asian country has emerged as a new vortex of resistance against China’s growing economic influence and rising strategic sway over the region – one that other claimants to the contested maritime area are no doubt closely monitoring. The region is already watching as Malaysia takes the lead in redefining its economic relations with China amid rising concerns that its outward investments, particularly big ticket infrastructure projects, could become sovereignty-eroding … [Read more...] about Mahathir draws new line in the South China Sea
In ‘Asian Waters’, Humphrey Hawksley sees Beijing with China’s eyes
Humphrey Hawksley is no stranger to Asia. As a foreign correspondent, Hawksley has reported from various crisis points on the continent since the 1980s. The air of acquaintance colors the narrative in his latest book, Asian Waters, published by Bloomsbury and now available at Periplus. Asian Waters begins with the argument that the continent “is a story about contested water as much as Europe is one about contested land.” The story is, of course, now focused on China and how its rise in recent decades has influenced the dynamic of great power relations in Asia. With only 264 pages, the book is a condensed read of Asian contemporary history. Asian Waters is divided into four parts, with China’s relations to the respective subregion or country as the anchor: United States, Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Asia. In an email interview with The Jakarta Post, Humphrey Hawksley answers questions about Asia, now and the future: In the early part of Asian Waters, you … [Read more...] about In ‘Asian Waters’, Humphrey Hawksley sees Beijing with China’s eyes