Topic: Asia-Pacific Politics
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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3 priorities for Pakistan's new government
After 14 years, Nawaz Sharif is back at the helm in Pakistan. The nuclear-armed country faces a welter of problems, from terrorism to tensions with Afghanistan, India, and the United States. To move Pakistan forward, Mr. Sharif must focus on three priorities.
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China's growing military might: top 4 concerns for the Pentagon
In a report issued this week, the Department of Defense for the first time directly accused China’s military of using cyberattacks to spy on US networks. In this arena and others, “China’s military buildup shows no signs of slowing,” said David Helvey, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for East Asia, who presented the report.Here are Pentagon officials’ top four concerns as they carefully monitor the growth of China’s military.
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Top 5 bull markets since 1929
The bull market that started in 2009 is currently the fifth most spectacular rise in stock prices since at least 1929. Can you guess which bull markets have been even more impressive?
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Pakistan elections: Who's running?
This election will mark the first transfer of power from one government to another without any military interference. Here is a look at the main candidates for prime minister.
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2013 Pulitzer Prize winners: 4 excellent books
Months before the Pulitzer Prize committee got there, the Monitor's book critics had already let readers know that these four books were something special. Here's why.
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Global News Blog Imran Khan falls from forklift at a political rally. Will it hurt his campaign? (+video)
The famous cricketer-turned-politician will miss final days of election campaigning as he recovers in a hospital named for his mother, but his party could benefit from a wave of concern.
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Opinion: Syria – another sign that US needs to recalibrate Middle East policy
As the US backs into Syria and other Mideast crises, China is proactively and strategically engaging in the region. Its actions point out what America has to lose if it continues to hesitate in the Middle East.
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US, South Korea put up a tough front, but it doesn't close door to North (+video)
South Korean President Park, in the US to meet with Obama, has made it clear that she sees her toughness as part of a “trust politik” that would allow for renewed dialogue with the North.
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The Monitor's View: China must end cyberspying on US industry, look to its own innovation
The Pentagon accuses China of massive cyberspying on American industry to gain a competitive edge. Beijing has already invested heavily in innovation. Why not look to is own people for creativity?
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Stefan Karlsson Do high stock prices mean economic inequality?
Any change in stock prices isn't intrinsically good or bad for everyone, Karlsson writes. Higher stock prices tend to be good for those who hold stocks, which typically benefits the wealthiest 'one percent.'
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Opinion: Obama and South Korea's President Park must agree on North Korea policy
As President Obama meets today with South Korea's President Park Geun-hye, how closely they agree on policy toward North Korea and whether they establish a good working relationship will be key to dealing with an increasingly dangerous new leadership in Pyongyang.
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Terrorism & Security Back-to-back blasts in Pakistan highlight election risks
More than two dozen people were killed and 70 injured today in two bombings that targeted politicians campaigning in northwest Pakistan for the May 11 general election.
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Why China is welcoming both Israel's Netanyahu and Palestinians' Abbas
The coinciding visits to Beijing of the Israeli prime minister and the Palestinian Authority president this week speak to China's growing interests in the Middle East.
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Malaysia's ruling coalition hangs on against winds of change
The coalition that has governed Malaysia since independence managed to hang on in general elections that threatened to upend the status quo, but with possibly its narrowest margin of victory ever.
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Global News Blog Rioting and rubble: What's behind the turbulent times in Bangladesh?
Tens of thousands of Islamists rampaged through Bangladesh's capital today, countering even larger crowds that turned out earlier this year to oust conservative forms of Islam from Bangladeshi politics.
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Veteran US diplomat appointed new special envoy to Afghanistan, Pakistan
Secretary of State John Kerry has appointed James Dobbins as the new special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dobbins will face challenges negotiating with the Taliban, and on questions of US drone strikes.
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Top 5 bull markets since 1929
The bull market that started in 2009 is currently the fifth most spectacular rise in stock prices since at least 1929. Can you guess which bull markets have been even more impressive?
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Pakistani women hit the campaign trail to get out the vote
Women, nongovernmental organizations, and a council of conservative Muslims are doing their best to avoid a repeat of the poor 2008 election showing among women.
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The Monitor's View: Despite stalled Arab Spring, Muslim nations grasp for democracy
Elections in Pakistan and Malaysia show step-by-step progress to reconcile Islam with secular values of elected government.
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Are Indian-Pakistani relations in jeopardy after prisoner death?
A Pakistani prisoner in an Indian jail was attacked and seriously injured in a tit-for-tat assault one day after the death of an Indian man in a Pakistani prison.
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Global News Blog Malaysia prepares for its closest election in 50 years (+video)
Economic growth and strict rule have kept the same government in power in Malaysia for more than 50 years, but calls for greater accountability are getting louder.
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Incursion or fair play? Chinese, Indian troops face off along disputed border.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's choice of India as his first foreign trip seemed to signal a fresh turn between the rivals. But both sides' troops are waving the flag on disputed turf.
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North Korea missile threat? North Korea 'closer' to nuclear threat, says Pentagon
North Korea missile threat: Intelligence agencies disagree on how great a missile threat North Korea poses, despite North Korea's recent threats against South Korea, Japan, and the US.
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Did detained American's Christianity scare North Korean regime?
North Korea's sentencing of a detained American to 15 years hard labor could be an attention-getting ploy. But Kenneth Bae is a devout Christian, and 'the regime is scared to death of Christianity.'
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Decoder Wire Jon Stewart channels Dr. Seuss to mock Obama's 'red line' on Syria
Jon Stewart joins a chorus of critics poking fun at President Obama's shifting red line on Syria. But polls signal that most Americans oppose US involvement in Syria – or aren't following the issue.
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All eyes on Kim Jong-un after North Korea gives 15 years' hard labor to US citizen
North Korea says US citizen Kenneth Bae was conspiring to overthrow the regime. But analysts say the North is likely to use him as a new bargaining chip.
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Decoder Wire North Korea almost done building new reactor. Is that a big deal? (+video)
While all things in North Korea are cloaked in secrecy, it appears that this new reactor could produce material for nuclear weapons – potentially expanding North Korea's small stockpile.
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Family of blind activist Chen Guangcheng 'tormented' in China
Prison authorities have refused a medical request for the jailed nephew of the prominent human rights activist, highlighting a pattern of persecution of activists' relatives.
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North Korea: American sentenced to hard labor
After being detained for six months, American Kenneth Bae (also known as Pae Jun Ho), a tour operator, was sentenced for plotting to overthrow the North Korean government. Details of his crimes have not been released.
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As world dials back death penalty, Japan heads in opposite direction
Two gangsters were hanged in Japan last week. More executions are likely under new Prime Minister Abe, who has expressed strong support for the death penalty – and says the public backs him.
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