Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu met with Vietnamese defense minister Phung Quang Thanh in Hanoi on March 5 to discuss strengthening maritime defense ties between their two countries. Following Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida’s January visit to Manila, the Philippines…
The third U.S.-India Higher Education Dialogue, which is scheduled to take place later this month in New Delhi, provides a timely opportunity to discuss collaborative initiatives for capturing India’s ‘demographic dividend.’ India recognizes the urgency of equipping its workforce with…
The East Asia regional meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), formally opened on June 6 in the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw. The WEF is an independent Switzerland-based organization that aims to improve economic growth by bringing together business, political,…
In an effort to win over Indonesian youth, the State Department in December 2010 launched a first-of-its-kind hi-tech cultural center, called @america, in Jakarta under the auspices of the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership. More than two years later, @america’s growing popularity…
While economic growth in India has lifted millions out of poverty and created a rapidly expanding middle-class, a fortunate few have also been able to amass vast amounts of wealth. The following numbers provide a unique insight into India’s billionaire…
Southeast Asia now has more billionaires than ever, as the region continues to grow at a fast pace. Like wealthy individuals everywhere, Southeast Asian billionaires are politically connected, trying to influence their home economies, and are pushing their influence beyond…
India’s consumption of Iranian oil has been an issue of global concern as the United States strives the strengthen sanctions against the Middle Eastern nation. Recently, the Indian government announced that it would continue importing oil from Iran. This decision,…
Thailand’s prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra pledged on March 3 at the opening meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to end the nation’s ivory trade. The Convention has 178 Parties, and seeks to facilitate international cooperation…
Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Germany and Hungary from March 4-8, focusing heavily on increasing trade, investment, and tourism with each country. The Germany trip comes seven months after Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Indonesia to establish the comprehensive Jakarta…
Singapore, known for its order, was rocked by Interpol findings that an international soccer match-fixing operation was based there. Though soccer scandals are not new in Southeast Asia, many were surprised that the ring was Singapore-based. Soccer is Southeast Asia’s…
