Asia
US-occupied Iraq, Afghanistan among world’s most corrupt countries
By Bill Van Auken, November 18, 2009
US-occupied Afghanistan is the world’s second most corrupt country—after Somalia, where no government has functioned for two decades—while Iraq is the fourth worst, according to a report release...
The US-China summit highlights sharp schisms
By John Chan, November 18, 2009
The grand summit between Hu and Obama was mostly show and no substance. The formulations in the joint statement about the need for peace, economic cooperation and strategic trust were a rather threadb...
Sri Lankan president invokes emergency powers against workers
By Saman Gunadasa, November 18, 2009
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse imposed an Essential Services Order on ports, petroleum, electricity and water workers, banning any industrial action in support of pay demands.
Wave of bombings hits Pakistan’s north west
By James Cogan, November 17, 2009
The Pakistani Taliban is carrying out an intense campaign of suicide bombings and assassinations in retaliation for the military offensive in the tribal agency of South Waziristan.
Washington’s crisis over Afghanistan deepens
By Bill Van Auken, November 17, 2009
The increasingly public dissension within the Obama administration over the proposed escalation in Afghanistan reflects the reality that US imperialism has no good options in the war that it launched ...
Sri Lankan SEP holds meeting on lessons of World War II
By our correspondents, November 17, 2009
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Students for Social Equality (ISSE) in Sri Lanka held a well-attended meeting in Colombo on November 10 to mark the 70th anniversary of World War I...
China continues its aggressive pursuit of Africa’s resources
By Brian Smith and Ann Talbot, November 16, 2009
The ministerial Forum on China-Africa Cooperation met in Egypt last week, attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He pledged $10 billion (£6bn) in concessional loans to Africa over the next three yea...
Obama seeks to boost US influence in Asia
By John Chan, November 16, 2009
On his first trip to Asia, US President Barack Obama has made clear that its main purpose is to reassure key allies and enhance American interests in the region against Washington’s main rivals, esp...
Thai-Cambodian tensions escalate over Thaksin appointment
By John Roberts, November 16, 2009
A diplomatic row between Bangkok and Phnom Penh over Cambodia’s appointment of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as economic advisor intensified last week.
Sri Lanka: “Independent” public sector unions kowtow to Rajapakse
By W. A. Sunil, November 14, 2009
The “independent” PSSRTUC union leaders objectively line up with the Rajapakse government in helping to suppress any struggle by the working class over deteriorating pay and conditions.
India: Union calls off militant Rico strike
By Deepal Jayasekera, November 14, 2009
A militant strike by more than 3,000 workers at a Rico plant in India’s principal auto parts producing center came to an end last week, only hours before tens of thousands of workers were to walk of...
Australia-Sri Lanka deal for joint crackdown on Tamil asylum seekers
By Richard Phillips, November 13, 2009
By reaching a deal with Colombo—that is, with the regime responsible for the oppression of Tamils—the Australian Labor government is legitimising its police state measures and nullifying the basic...
