South East Asia
Impeachment trial of Philippine chief justice nears end
By Joseph Santolan, May 24, 2012
The prosecution of Chief Justice Corona has dramatically undermined the separation of government powers and created a constitutional crisis.
Tensions ease temporarily between China and the Philippines
By John Chan, May 22, 2012
While the immediate danger appears to have been averted, none of the underlying issues have been resolved.
Russian plane crashes in Indonesia
By Clara Weiss, May 11, 2012
On Wednesday, a Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 on a demonstration flight crashed into the rock face of a volcano near the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.
Philippine protests further escalate tensions with China
By Joseph Santolan, May 11, 2012
The provocative and well-funded protests against China today are part of a calculated campaign that has its origins in Washington.
Locked-in workers die in fire in the Philippines
By Joseph Santolan, May 10, 2012
The practice of locking workers in is routine and any fire will almost certainly result in the loss of life.
Philippine Supreme Court issues decision on Hacienda Luisita
By Joseph Santolan, May 7, 2012
The decision by the Supreme Court is another skirmish in the on-going factional war between rival sections of the Philippine bourgeoisie.
Prosecutions continue under Thailand’s anti-democratic lese majeste laws
By John Roberts, May 5, 2012
The lese majeste laws are a politically sensitive issue because the monarchy has played such a pivotal role in protecting the Thai state apparatus.
Draconian security bill passed by Malaysian parliament
By Dante Pastrana, May 4, 2012
While touted as a more democratic alternative to the Internal Security Act, the new legislation maintains crucial police state powers.
Police attack large opposition rally in Malaysia
By John Roberts, May 3, 2012
The demonstration points to rising social and political tensions as the global economic crisis impacts on Malaysia.
Demonstrator shot dead in housing demolition in the Philippines
By Joseph Santolan, May 1, 2012
The brutal event is part of President Aquino’s policy of forcibly relocating the urban poor onto the dismal floodplains outside the city.
US-Philippine military exercises directed against China
By Peter Symonds, April 26, 2012
The Balikatan exercises, provocatively staged adjacent to the South China Sea, can only heighten US tensions with China.
Indonesian government retreats from immediate fuel price rise
By John Roberts, April 19, 2012
Plans to cut subsidies provoked widespread opposition and weeks of protests throughout the country.
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