America, Vietnam Deepening Cooperation to Balance China
President Barack Obama hails a “steady progression” in relations forty years after the end of the Vietnam War.
Asia
Autonomy for Syria’s Kurds Failure of Turkish Policy
By supporting the war against Bashar Assad, Turkey has inadvertently exacerbated an internal security threat.
Kerry Persuades Israel, Palestinians to Enter Peace Talks
The American secretary of state manages to get the two sides talking again.
Global Interest in Japan’s Election, Expected to Strengthen Premier
The world is awaiting economic reforms while China frets about a more assertive Japan in East China Sea disputes.
Middle East Embroiled in Its Own Thirty Years’ War
The region’s turmoil is reminiscent of the thirty years of political and religious strife in seventeenth-century Europe.
China’s Trade Figures for June Appear “Grim”
Low demand for China’s products in the West and rising labor costs are home weigh down on exports.
Indo-American Relations Unlikely to Improve Before Afghan War’s End
The Americans’ willingness to negotiate with the Taliban alarms policymakers in New Delhi.
Press Confused by Obama’s Middle East Priorities
Newspapers wonder why the president still bothers with the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
The Price of Withdrawal from Afghanistan
If the security transition to national authorities fails, Afghanistan’s women have the most to lose.
Tokyo Assembly Victory Boost for Japan’s Prime Minister
A big win for Shinzō Abe’s Liberal Democrats in the capital may invigorate his economic reform effort.
Japan’s Abe Takes Risk by Delaying Reforms Ahead of Election
The premier doesn’t want to hurt his party in the election but postponing reforms could do just that.
Breakdown in Afghan Security, Taliban Peace Talks Predictable
While the United States are concerned about the war, Afghans, including the Taliban, look toward the peace.
Kyrgyzstan Demands Americans Vacate Air Base Next Year
The Central Asian country ends the United States’ lease on a transit center that is critical to the Afghan war effort.
Turkey Doesn’t Need More Democracy
Turkey’s problem is not that it’s not democratic enough. The problem is that it’s not liberal enough.
India’s Conservative Leader Modi Outmaneuvers Rival
The likely prime ministerial candidate strengthens his position in the Bharatiya Janata Party.