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| 1 |
ID:
137898
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| Summary/Abstract |
Labeled the Year of ‘‘Transition,’’ 2014 was a watershed in modern Afghan history. It marked the first peaceful transition of power in more than a century, when Hamid Karzai handed over authority to Ashraf Ghani on September 29. The transition was not seamless, and the country teetered on the brink of a coup following the June presidential runoff.
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| 2 |
ID:
137896
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| Summary/Abstract |
THOUGH SOME MAY HAVE APPROACHED the centenary of the outbreak of World War One with a certain superstitious foreboding, 2014 in Asia was a pretty good year. As Xi Jinping put it in his May 21 address to the CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia), ‘‘Asia today, though facing more risks and challenges, is still the most dynamic and promising region in the world.’’1 Economically, Asia remains the fastest growing region, averaging an estimated 6.1% GDP growth for the year, and the forecasting consensus predicts an even better next year. This is an impressive performance in the wake of the global 2009–13 slowdown and particularly the recent cooling of the Chinese locomotive. Politically, the headline for the year is democratic resilience, with relatively honest elections in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and (jumping a few days into 2015) Sri Lanka. As for international security, on the other hand, it was a year of rising tensions: violent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Burma/Myanmar, India’s Assam, China’s Xinjiang; continuing confrontations over maritime boundaries in the South and East China Seas; and renewed fighting between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.
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| 3 |
ID:
137902
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| Summary/Abstract |
Despite a positive economic outlook in 2014, political tensions and income
inequalities continue to challenge the country’s democratic image. Power has been
concentrated in the executive, state violence has increased, and there is pressure to
improve working conditions and infrastructure in the garment sector. For the reelected
Awami League government, addressing employment issues is essential, given
its focus on attracting foreign investment.
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| 4 |
ID:
137917
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| Summary/Abstract |
During 2014, Cambodia moved from violent confrontation between government and opposition forces to an uneasy compromise. The turning point came in July, when opposition legislators agreed to take their seats in the National Assembly, which they had boycotted. The long-ruling Cambodian People’s Party worked to polish its tarnished image.
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| 5 |
ID:
137904
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| Summary/Abstract |
In 2014 China’s development was characterized by a search for structural reforms in both domestic and foreign policies. Domestically, focal issues included the fight against corruption, the implementation of reforms of China’s development model, and a tightening of internal (anti-terror) measures. In foreign policy, traditional paradigms are now under scrutiny, and the regional rivalry with the U.S. has intensified.
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| 6 |
ID:
137899
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| Summary/Abstract |
The much anticipated general election produced a majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi. The new administration is setting out an agenda for governing. The economy showed some signs of improvement, business confidence is returning, but economic growth has yet to return to earlier high levels.
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| 7 |
ID:
137913
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| Summary/Abstract |
In 2014, Indonesia inaugurated as president the former Governor of Jakarta, Joko Widodo, or ‘‘Jokowi,’’ raising public expectations for reform especially among people outside the powerful political and business elite circles. It is uncertain to what extent, and how, the new government will achieve his reform agendas. Moreover, a relatively weak economy and declining civil liberties may pose an additional challenge, despite Jokowi’s avowed commitment to structural reforms and good governance.
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| 8 |
ID:
137905
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| Summary/Abstract |
It was all about Abe in 2014. With few intra-party challengers, a divided and weak opposition, and a huge victory in a December snap election gamble, Japan’s Prime Minister Abe finds unusual scope to lead the nation both domestically as well as internationally in his chosen course of ‘‘proactive pacifism.’’
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| 9 |
ID:
137918
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| Summary/Abstract |
Laos improved its economy in 2014, although its human rights record continues to receive critiques from international society. With frequent visits of Lao leaders to China and the opening of the fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, Laos deepened its relations with China in 2014, despite the emerging challenges that China faces.
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| 10 |
ID:
137915
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| Summary/Abstract |
The year 2014 saw four significant developments in Malaysia: the mishandling of the missing flight MH 370 jetliner; rejection of the use of the term ‘‘Allah’’ in a Malaylanguage Christian publication; an anti-sedition blitz; and the resignation of the Selangor chief minister. However, Malaysia managed its foreign and economic affairs reasonably well.
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| 11 |
ID:
137914
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| Summary/Abstract |
Myanmar saw some progress in efforts at constitutional amendment and ceasefire negotiations, both pressing issues. Attempts to introduce proportional representation failed in the lower house of Parliament. Critics pointed out stalled reforms. The economy achieved high growth, and foreign direct investment increased. Myanmar reveled in its role as ASEAN chair and host for President Obama’s visit.
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| 12 |
ID:
137903
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| Summary/Abstract |
Both Nepal and Bhutan formed new parliamentary governments in 2014. In both cases, a new party took control, but major policies remained unchanged. Many people experienced hardships in buying basic commodities (because of inflation in Nepal and a subsidy dispute in Bhutan). Nepal faced three natural disasters.
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| 13 |
ID:
137907
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In 2014, North Korea neither overcame its isolation due to its nuclear weapons and hostile geostrategic posture nor reformed its economy. Kim Jong Un learned on the job, consolidated his leadership, avoided military risk, and opened new channels to South Korea, Japan, and Russia to reduce dependence on China.
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| 14 |
ID:
137900
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| Summary/Abstract |
A year after assuming power, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government faced a political crisis fomented by the pro-military opposition leader Imran Khan, who mobilized his supporters to protest alleged electoral rigging in the 2013 poll. Khan had to call off the protests after the Pakistani Taliban’s grisly terrorist attack on an army-run school in retaliation for the army’s offensive against them in North Waziristan.
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| 15 |
ID:
137919
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| Summary/Abstract |
The year 2014 in the Philippines witnessed President Aquino’s administration moving forward with initiatives on multiple fronts, including foreign relations and the peace process in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, even as leading opposition politicians experienced increasing difficulties in the face of anti-corruption charges.
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| 16 |
ID:
137910
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| Summary/Abstract |
After a fine start to 2014 for Russia with the Sochi Olympics, things quickly went rather bad. A collapsing oil price and Western sanctions after the annexation of Crimea crippled the ruble; a crisis in December left the currency’s value almost halved. Amid growing anxiety about Moscow’s intentions among its Central Asian neighbors, Russia is facing possibly its deepest economic crisis since 1998. Relations with Europe and the U.S. are worse than at any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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| 17 |
ID:
137911
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| Summary/Abstract |
In the ‘‘new normal’’ following the 2011 general election, Singapore seems poised for further development toward liberal democracy. However, the ruling People’s Action Party is attempting to reinvent itself and regain its hegemonic position, which requires finding credible solutions for very challenging problems to do with policy, communication, and public image.
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| 18 |
ID:
137908
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| Summary/Abstract |
The Sewol ferry tragedy revealed weaknesses in South Korea’s politics, economy,
and society that had been sidestepped during economic development and political transition. The split in local elections, the Saenuri Party’s sweep in by-elections, and the installation of critics of President Park as leaders of the ruling party all underscore the public’s rejection of political stonewalling or politicking-as-usual.
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| 19 |
ID:
137901
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| Summary/Abstract |
The year 2014 witnessed a few cracks in the government of the United People’s Freedom Alliance in the face of internal and external challenges. Still, anti-Muslim violence, setbacks in provincial elections, and mounting concerns over the coalition’s human rights record failed to disrupt continued high economic growth. The surprise was the January 8, 2015, election: defeating the incumbent, on January 9, former Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president.
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| 20 |
ID:
137909
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| Summary/Abstract |
Taiwan in 2014 was eventful. In the Sunflower Student Movement early in the year, students occupied Parliament for 23 days. In local elections in November, the ruling Kuomintang was dealt a crushing blow by the electorate. President Ma will face more difficulties in the remaining years of his term in office.
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