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February 1, 2002
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 WAR AND TERROR EDITORIAL Give war a chance Is George W Bush declaring Trotsky-style "permanent revolution" in which wars afford the opportunity of speeding up the liberation process? Have we just witnessed the birth of George W Bush the revolutionary? Well, tell us it is so, George! Tell us that the US henceforward will shun alliances with rotten regimes. Tell us that the very definition of the American national interest and purpose forecloses making rotten compromises not just with Iraq, Iran or North Korea, but also with the likes of Abdullah's Saudi Arabia and Karimov's Uzbekistan. (Jan 31) Full text The clashing perspectives of Iran and the US Under the ayatollahs, Iran is high on the list of America's enemies. The only realistic basis for rapprochement from the US viewpoint is for Iran to foreswear missile and nuclear technologies, a highly unrealistic scenario from the Iranian perspective. As long as these two clashing perspectives remained unresolved, the two countries will remain far apart, to say the least, writes Ehsan Ahrari. (Jan 31) Full text Daniel Pearl kidnapping plot thickens Pakistani intelligence agents have told Syed Saleem Shahzad that the kidnapping of the Wall Street Journal's Daniel Pearl is a lot more complicated than it appears, and they have concluded that India is involved. India's motive? To persuade the US that al-Qaeda is active in Pakistan, which would lead to the unraveling of the Pakistani secret underworld and its links in India. True or not, Pakistan's secret groups and agencies are in for a hard time in coming days. (Jan 31) Full text In Afghanistan, Pakistan's loss is India's gain Kabul's choice of New Delhi as the first destination for Afghanistan's national airline signals the interim administration's desire to reach out to India. And India, reports Sudha Ramachandran, is responding in kind, moving into Pakistan's former turf with humanitarian aid, Bollywood films, and a burning desire to do business. (Jan 31) Full text PYONGYANG WATCH That sinking feeling: Tokyo gets tough In series of incidents, including a false-passport saga including Kim Jong-il's son and the sinking of an alleged spy boat, Japan has demonstrated that the gloves are off: it will brook no more unlawful shenanigans from North Korea. The tough new stance, writes Aidan Foster-Carter in the conclusion of a two-part series, could cut deeply into Pyongyang's hard-currency sources. What will Kim do now? (Jan 31) Full text Indonesia: See no evil, Speaker no evil The party led by Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri is backing away from its former enthusiasm for probing Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung's involvement in a major financial scam. The ruling party, and Megawati herself, have apparently been spooked by Akbar's threats. The whole affair is another blow to Indonesia's quest for transparency and fairness, writes Richel Langit. (Jan 31) Full text Princes among the poor: India's super-rich They are the envy of their fellow countrymen in a poor land politely referred to as a "developing country" by other nations. The super-wealthy are few among the 1 billion plus residing in India, and that is why they are the focus, writes Raju Bist. (Jan 31) Full text Film brings to life a forgotten war Well before US forces became embroiled in a Southeast Asian conflict known as the Vietnam War, there was the Philippine-American War - one of the bloodiest wars of colonization ever, yet rewritten in the history books as a brief "insurrection" against the "teaching" influence of the United States. But a film narrated by a Filipino-American academic seeks to give its audience the "victory" of knowing what really happened. (Jan 31) Full text ASIAN MARKETS: Bouncing back The region recovered from Wednesday's drop after the announcement of positive US economic data. The Philippines jumped to a six-month high, while Japan, Australia, Singapore and Taiwan all finished in the black. (Jan 31) Full text Business in Asia Today Australia's Austal Ships wins US military contract; Globe Telecom posts US$84 million profit; Eximbank grants Sinopec credit line; Pakistan's KESC to be privatized by September; Australia's Westpac to cut 200 jobs ... (Jan 31) Full text THE ROVING EYE Argentine heavy metal rocks the globe Financial crisis spawned a new phenomenon on the streets of Argentina last month, the cacerolazo - ritual rattling of pots and pans by citizens who have seen their economy destroyed by slavish neoliberalism, corruption and international hypocrisy. The cacophony is spreading, writes Pepe Escobar, as the developing world - including Arab lands - tunes in. (Jan 30) Full text Saudi Arabia and the US: A parting of the ways? Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah is focused on enhancing the stability of Saudi rule, and perceives the withdrawal of US forces as a major step in that direction. So, the apparent parting of the ways between Washington and Riyadh may turn out to be an important tactical maneuver aimed at pacifying hardline Islamist opposition in Saudi Arabia. If the Bush administration reads it as such and reacts graciously, writes Ehsan Ahrari, the old friendship will survive. (Jan 30) Full text DIRE STRAITS Terrorists under the bed United States troops in the Philippines are physical proof that the war on terror has spread to Southeast Asia. What is less easy to quantify is the exact extent of terror organizations across the region, which is largely due, writes Anil Netto, to the secretive manner in which governments are treating suspects. (Jan 29) Full text
Geopolitics in the light of option theory Like the buyer of a stock option, whose chances of winning are better if the stock is volatile, the United States stands to gain from instability now. America's clients and enemies alike can twist and turn in the wind. Let the Saudi monarchy rankle, let India and Pakistan go to war. The more volatility, the more choices and the more influence for Washington. (Jan 25) Full text SRI LANKA: THE UNTOLD STORY Chapter 24: Tamil militancy - a manifestation A Tamil conference in January 1974 ends in chaos as anti-riot police fire tear gas and ammunition, and several people are injured or killed in the panic. Tellingly, the police officers involved are subsequently promoted instead of being reprimanded by the government, recalls K T Rajasingham in the 24th chapter of his treatise, a history of Sri Lanka from a Tamil viewpoint. (Jan 25) Full text FINER THINGS Fusion or con-fusion? Thai diners often balk at the prices accompanying "high-concept" fusion food, especially when untampered-with versions can be had on the street for mere change. Chawadee Nualkhair visits some Bangkok fusion restaurants and discovers that going against the grain can make a refreshing change. (Jan 25) Full text | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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