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ID:
086676
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2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The state-building endeavor in Afghanistan came to the brink in 2008 with the Taliban insurgency taking control of some southern districts, high poppy production fueling the illicit economy, widespread charges of corruption, and a looming humanitarian disaster. Afghans increasingly became disillusioned by high civilian casualties and the government's failure to provide improved socioeconomic conditions. By year's end, there was also increased pressure for negotiations with moderate Taliban elements.
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| 2 |
ID:
086672
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
In Asia as around the world, 2008 was a challenging year. On the one hand, it teemed with disasters, both man-made and natural, amid growing apprehension as the shock-waves of the American financial tsunami ricocheted throughout the region. On the other, guarded houe for renewal was inspired (for some) by the arrival of new political leadership.
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| 3 |
ID:
086680
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2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Bangladesh stepped into 2008 under emergency rule, suspended political activity, and a military-supported caretaker government (CG), after a 16-year interlude of a two-party dominated democratic system. After a long two years, the CG has started releasing key political leaders as a step toward holding elections in December. The Bangladeshi people are waiting to see whether this interruption of democracy will remain only temporary.
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| 4 |
ID:
086700
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2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) consolidated legislative control with a decisive election victory in 2008. Four contributing factors are identified: CPP control of local authorities who can deliver the vote, its marginalization of the opposition, the mass patronage enabled by an economic boom, and exploitation of a border dispute with Thailand.
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| 5 |
ID:
086681
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2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
In 2008 China faced Olympian challenges, of which the Olympics was but one. Some were of its own making; others were not. Some it set for itself; others were by-products of the structural reforms. Yet, the Chinese government met them with palpable determination and broad, if uneven, effectiveness.
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| 6 |
ID:
086677
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The past year saw significant domestic turmoil in India. The country confronted a series of terrorist attacks including the one in Bombay, witnessed ethno-religious violence, dealt with a resurgent Maoist (Naxalite) guerilla movement, and faced agitations from agricultural communities over the acquisition of land for industrialization. On the external front, India managed to consummate a critical civilian nuclear agreement with the U.S., after much domestic debate and contention.
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| 7 |
ID:
086689
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2009.
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Indonesia in 2008 presented an apparent paradox: despite generally strong political and economic performance indicators, the popularity of President Yudhoyono's government fluctuated wildly. As campaigning for the 2009 elections began, Yudhoyono's solid lead evaporated, although he recovered toward the end of 2008. The opposition, however, remains divided.
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| 8 |
ID:
086684
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Events in 2008 suggest that the Koizumi era is over and the Liberal Democratic Party will lose the lower house election that must be called before its current term expires in September 2009. The Democratic Party of Japan became the favorite to win the election and laid out the new domestic and foreign policy directions in which it will take Japan.
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| 9 |
ID:
086699
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2008.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Laos in 2008 will be remembered for the worst flooding in decades. No significant societal changes occurred; politics remains as usual, and the resource-rich country continues along the path of economic development through the exploitation of hydropower and mining. Regional integration is progressing through improved infrastructure and the strengthening of relationships with China.
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| 10 |
ID:
086690
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2009.
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The March 2008 general elections fundamentally altered Malaysian politics. The ruling coalition lost its two-thirds majority in the national Parliament and five state assemblies, and Prime Minister Abdullah was forced to announce his resignation. The opposition also stands the chance of forming the national government in the near future.
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| 11 |
ID:
086686
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
In 2008 Mongolia witnessed the first violent riots in the wake of parliamentary elections since the country became a democracy in 1992, but the crisis was mitigated by the formation of a coalition government. Mining has become a key factor for defining Mongolia's domestic politics and international relations.
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| 12 |
ID:
086692
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2009.
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Cyclone Nargis struck Burma's Irrawaddy Delta on May 2-3, 2008, and claimed as many as 140,000 victims, the largest natural disaster in the country's history. However, the State Peace and Development Council proceeded with a referendum on a new constitution on May 10 and 24, which it claimed was approved by an overwhelming majority of voters.
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| 13 |
ID:
086678
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
In Nepal, the twice-postponed elections for the Constituent Assembly were successfully held in April 2008. The Maoists, who obtained a plurality of seats, took office at the head of a multi-party coalition following the formal abolition of the monarchy. Yet, fundamental issues still remained unresolved, including integrating the guerilla forces into the national army. In Bhutan, elections for the lower house were won decisively by the party led by Jigme Thinley, and the country's new Constitution was promulgated.
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| 14 |
ID:
086683
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| Publication |
2009.
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In 2008, North-South relations worsened, food shortages re-emerged, and the Six Party process yielded an interim agreement. The U.S. dropped North Korea from the terrorism list but nuclear verification issues remained contentious. Kim Jong-il reportedly suffered a stroke in August, casting uncertainty over all aspects of politics and policy.
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| 15 |
ID:
086674
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December 2007 and national elections in February 2008, Pakistan struggled to distance itself from the discredited military regime of President (General) Pervez Musharraf. Competition between the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), once led by Benazir Bhutto and subsequently by her widower Asif Ali Zardari, and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) led by Nawaz Sharif, however, threatened to thwart the cause of political stability in Pakistan.
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| 16 |
ID:
086697
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| Publication |
2009.
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In 2008 the big developments in the Philippines were the signing of a historic and controversial agreement with Muslim rebels, the subsequent scuttling of that agreement by the Supreme Court, and a resumption of hostilities between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Meanwhile, the embattled Arroyo government worked to respond to a series of economic and natural disasters.
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| 17 |
ID:
086688
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Russia's seamless presidential succession produced no major changes in domestic politics or foreign policy. Ties with Asia remained strong, though several key relationships-with China, Japan, and the Central Asian states-frayed under the impact of Russia's military action in Georgia. Impressive economic performance in the first half of the year boosted Russian confidence as a great power, but its vulnerability to the global financial crisis together with the heavy-handed operation in the Caucasus undermined Moscow's standing with both Asia and Europe by the end of the year.
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| 18 |
ID:
086701
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Singapore won possession of the Horsburgh Lighthouse at the International Court of Justice and its table tennis team secured Olympic medals. A detainee from the Jemaah Islamiah organization escaped, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's wife suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, opposition politician Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam passed away, and the economy slowed sharply.
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| 19 |
ID:
086685
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The launching of the Lee Myung-bak (known as "MB") government in February 2008, coupled with the landslide victory by the ruling Grand National Party in the April 9 general election, opened a new era of conservative dominance while ending a decade of progressive rule. But the triumphant mood did not last long, as the MB government encountered a series of political, economic, and social crises as well as setbacks in its foreign and inter-Korean relations.
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| 20 |
ID:
086679
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| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
The year 2008 saw a successful military campaign by government security forces against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the North. Elections to the Eastern Province resulted in a break away faction of the LTTE sharing power with the government. People continued to endure high inflation in the price of essential goods and services, and the country's human rights record remained dismal.
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