Asia
Wave of bombings hits Pakistan’s north west
By James Cogan, November 17, 2009
The Pakistani Taliban is carrying out an intense campaign of suicide bombings and assassinations in retaliation for the military offensive in the tribal agency of South Waziristan.
Sri Lankan SEP holds meeting on lessons of World War II
By our correspondents, November 17, 2009
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Students for Social Equality (ISSE) in Sri Lanka held a well-attended meeting in Colombo on November 10 to mark the 70th anniversary of World War I...
China continues its aggressive pursuit of Africa’s resources
By Brian Smith and Ann Talbot, November 16, 2009
The ministerial Forum on China-Africa Cooperation met in Egypt last week, attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He pledged $10 billion (£6bn) in concessional loans to Africa over the next three yea...
Obama seeks to boost US influence in Asia
By John Chan, November 16, 2009
On his first trip to Asia, US President Barack Obama has made clear that its main purpose is to reassure key allies and enhance American interests in the region against Washington’s main rivals, esp...
Thai-Cambodian tensions escalate over Thaksin appointment
By John Roberts, November 16, 2009
A diplomatic row between Bangkok and Phnom Penh over Cambodia’s appointment of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as economic advisor intensified last week.
Sri Lanka: “Independent” public sector unions kowtow to Rajapakse
By W. A. Sunil, November 14, 2009
The “independent” PSSRTUC union leaders objectively line up with the Rajapakse government in helping to suppress any struggle by the working class over deteriorating pay and conditions.
India: Union calls off militant Rico strike
By Deepal Jayasekera, November 14, 2009
A militant strike by more than 3,000 workers at a Rico plant in India’s principal auto parts producing center came to an end last week, only hours before tens of thousands of workers were to walk of...
Australia-Sri Lanka deal for joint crackdown on Tamil asylum seekers
By Richard Phillips, November 13, 2009
By reaching a deal with Colombo—that is, with the regime responsible for the oppression of Tamils—the Australian Labor government is legitimising its police state measures and nullifying the basic...
US-China tensions overshadow Obama’s trip to Asia
By Peter Symonds, November 13, 2009
US President Barack Obama arrives today in Tokyo at the start of his first trip to Asia. While he will also stop off in South Korea and the APEC summit in Singapore, the central focus of the tour is C...
Naval clash between two Koreas as Obama heads to Asia
By John Chan, November 12, 2009
Just days before US President Barack Obama commences his first major visit to Asia, a brief exchange of fire took place between South and North Korean naval vessels.
New Japanese government under pressure to slash social spending
By John Chan, November 12, 2009
The government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is facing growing demands from big business to ditch its election promises, slash social spending and rein in mushrooming public debt.
Sri Lankan police forcibly drown a young Tamil man
By Panini Wijesiriwardena, November 11, 2009
The police killing of a young, mentally unstable Tamil man in central Colombo in front of television cameras has provoked widespread public outrage in Sri Lanka.
