By Michael J. Green & Matthew P. Goodman Barack Obama has described himself as America’s first Pacific president. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged that Japan “is not now and will never be a tier-two country.” Before they meet in Tokyo this month,…
Who is he? Dr. Gyanendra Nath Singh is currently the Drug Controller General of India at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), a post similar to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner. Why is he in the…
Who is he? John Sevilla is the new Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner in the Philippines. He took his post on December 4, 2013, replacing Ruffy Biazon, who resigned after being indicted in a multi-million dollar corruption scandal. Sevilla had…
Who is he? Muhammad Lutfi is Indonesia’s new trade minister. He previously served as ambassador to Japan from 2010 to 2013, and as chairperson of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board from 2005 to 2009. He was named one of the…
On Thursday, March 13, 2014, Bonnie Glaser, CSIS Senior Adviser for Asia within the Freeman Chair in China Studies, testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission in the Russell Senate Building on Capitol Hill. Bonnie and her fellow…
By Noelan Arbis Thailand’s political unrest is now entering its fifth month, but a solution remains out of sight. Since early November, anti-government protesters have occupied government offices, temporarily shut down parts of Bangkok, and blocked people from voting in…
By David A. Parker & Mikael Lindfors Few observers were surprised when Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel noted that Japan-South Korea relations have been “strained” of late during remarks before the Senate Committee…
By Brian Kraft The Indonesian parliament on February 11 passed a new and ambiguous trade law that is likely to frighten current investors and deter future ones. The legislation—Indonesia’s first trade law since a 1935 Dutch ordinance—grants the state far-reaching…
Who is he? Anand Sharma is the minister of commerce & industry for the government of India, initially assuming the role in May 2009. He has previously been the minister of state for External Affairs, Textiles and Information & Broadcasting.…
By Vineeth Murthy In recent years, a rapidly expanding Indian middle class and increased industrial activity have resulted in a sharp rise in demand for power. The gap between the supply and demand has increased due to the inadequate supply…
