Hundreds of thousands of visitors are descending on Beijing for the Olympic Games, which begin Friday. For months, the government has orchestrated an elaborate effort to ready the city: cleaning streets, clearing the skies, even designating “Olympic” emergency and medical services. But according to investigators based in Beijing and Hong Kong, who refuse to speak on the record because they fear government reprisals, visitors might consider steering clear of military-owned hospitals where they could run the risk of being treated with substandard or counterfeit medicines.
Posted Aug. 6, 2008.

A cloud of nationalism hung over the latest elections in Cambodia. Phnom Penh and Thailand faced off in an intense border dispute around the Preah Vihear temple and as the two sides transported troops, artillery and tanks to the border, ruling party members were busy galvanizing Cambodian support against perceived Thai aggression.
Posted Aug. 1, 2008

This year’s G8 Summit at Toyako, Japan, was seen by most observers as a disappointment. The agreements that were reached lacked creativity and teeth, whether on climate change, Zimbabwe, development assistance, or the fuel and food crisis, the club seems to have run out of ideas. But amid these setbacks, one de facto great power emerged in a strengthened position -- even though it is not a member of the club.
Posted July 25, 2008

These days, challenges to Pakistan’s sovereignty and security come from friends and foes alike. Even as Pakistan faces escalating militant violence within its borders, U.S. policy makers have threatened “hot pursuit” of militants into the tribal belt. At this critical juncture, the U.S. approach should be to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to combat violent extremism instead of engaging in words and actions that could further destabilize the country and region.
Posted July 24, 2008

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's trademark precision was on full display last Tuesday when he accepted a report from the Timorese and Indonesian joint Commission on Truth and Friendship that posited Indonesian governmental complicity in atrocities committed in East Timor nine years ago. Given Jakarta’s previous reluctance to own up to human rights abuses, the president’s admission was notable for the ease with which it was delivered and received.
Posted July 21, 2008

Beijing continues to shake off foreign residents like a dog sheds fleas. This stealthy, but effective campaign is hitting students, teachers and entrepreneurs, and those that have invested their futures in China’s are feeling the pinch.
Posted July 21, 2008

The top political leaders in Tokyo, Seoul and Washington have each seen better days in their administrations when it comes to popularity and political influence, but it is quite rare for all three to suffer simultaneously a mere 25% (or lower) domestic approval rating. Such a chorus of political weakness is never welcome among allies, but it comes at a particularly inopportune time as the region launches another round of six-party talks aimed at implementing North Korean denuclearization agreements.
Posted July 12, 2008