| Srl | Item |
| 1 |
ID:
160399
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
The year 2017 witnessed continued challenges to the credibility and competence of the so-called National Unity Government in Kabul. President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah competed over the perquisites of power rather than collaborating to secure a viable future for their country. US and NATO forces remained at a stalemate with the Taliban, while Afghanistan’s predatory neighbors were as self-interested as ever. Hard-won gains remain reversible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
ID:
160382
|
|
|
| 3 |
ID:
160401
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Bangladesh experienced a turbulent year in 2017, largely as a result of damaging floods. Moreover, the flood of Rohingya refugees in the second half of the year added considerable strain to Bangladesh’s political economy. There are worrisome signs that the Bangladeshi state is using a range of institutional and extrajudicial mechanisms to stifle political opposition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
ID:
160403
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Bhutan’s agenda in 2017 was dominated by the preparation for the third parliamentary elections (slated for 2018), the 12th Five-Year Development Plan (2018–23), and the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations with India. A military standoff between China and India on Bhutan’s border highlighted the kingdom’s strategic regional position.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
ID:
160411
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
After local elections in 2017, the Cambodian People’s Party intensified its attacks on free media, NGOs, and the Cambodian National Rescue Party. Meanwhile, stronger links to China and waning Western leverage are enabling Prime Minister Hun Sen to transform the post-1993 multiparty system into a patrimonial dictatorship. Cambodia enjoyed strong economic growth but saw little improvement in its weak institutional framework, in social justice, or in economic competitiveness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
ID:
160384
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Strongman rule returned to China in 2017 when Xi Jinping secured near-total political dominance. Repression remained intense while the Chinese economy performed reasonably well due to credit support. US–China relations are entering an uncertain phase. Strongman rule is likely to increase the risk of major policy mistakes and deliver few concrete achievements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
ID:
160391
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
The year 2017 saw the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party extend its electoral dominance by winning major state elections. The BJP was less successful, however, in containing contentious politics and vigilantism by right-wing groups. It was also a tumultuous year for the Indian economy as it strove to recover from the shock of major reforms. The Supreme Court issued landmark verdicts likely to have weighty implications for Indian society in the years to come. The Indian government could also claim credit for foreign policy successes vis-à-vis China, Pakistan, Israel, and the ICJ.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
ID:
160407
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
In mass demonstrations spearheaded by a coalition of Islamic radicals, 2017 witnessed a polarizing assault on the nation’s broadly secular founding creed, Pancasila. With the arrest and imprisonment of the popular ethnic-Chinese Christian mayor of Jakarta on spurious blasphemy charges, even the Indonesian president was left on the back foot and obliged to push back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
ID:
160386
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Japanese domestic politics grew more volatile and complex in 2017, as LDP electoral reversals were followed by opposition fragmentation and then conservative consolidation. Foreign policy was dominated by the security challenge of North Korea, but also involved deepened relations with the US and Europe, as well as unanticipated improvement with China and South Korea. Macroeconomic trends were positive, but structural reform proceeded only slowly. Japanese society remained slow to change.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
ID:
160412
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
While the economy, and socioeconomic inequality, continue to grow rapidly, the leadership of Laos has returned to a rhetoric claiming to pursue the goal of establishing a socialist society. However, the social structures that have evolved historically make make it very unlikely that the country’s contemporary policies will create even development and balanced socio-economic levels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
ID:
160408
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
The Najib government continued to consolidate its political hold on Malaysia in 2017. Various factors, including a moderately improved economic situation and a relatively generous 2018 budget, suggested that it had good prospects for winning the next election, to be held at the latest in August 2018. Beyond party politics, however, there were indications of deep change taking place in Malaysian society—deep enough to raise questions about the nation’s identity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
ID:
160390
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
In 2017 Mongolians elected a populist president who is more assertive than his predecessors amid initial uncertainties introduced by a $5.5 billion IMF bailout package. The country continued to be embroiled in a fight over the fate of the 49% private holdings in the Erdenet enterprise. There were signs that Mongolia was becoming less active in engaging its third neighbors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
ID:
160406
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
During its second year in office, Myanmar’s NLD government made little progress on its agenda to restore peace, reduce the role of the military in politics, and raise standards of living for the poor. Instead, the dominant issues were the security crisis in Rakhine State and the exodus of half the Rohingya population.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
ID:
160402
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Despite challenges, Nepal held local and national-level elections this year, the first under its 2015 constitution. A surprising leftist alliance now controls the legislature, while a wide range of parties fill local-level offices. Nepal still faces natural and economic headwinds, but political stability will lessen their effects.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
ID:
160385
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Kim Jong Un continued to consolidate his power through personnel changes, and North Korean society saw increasing consumerism, along with signs of growing inequality. The economy did well through early 2017 but the subsequent effects of sanctions remained uncertain. North Korea conducted its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile and its sixth nuclear test, triggering heated debate in the US and elsewhere about how to respond. Kim clearly is not going to give up working on weapons of mass destruction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 16 |
ID:
160398
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
The ouster of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif marked the culmination of a tumultuous political year in 2017 for Pakistan. On the external front, tensions with India, Afghanistan, and the United States soared before abating, albeit modestly, later in the year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
ID:
160404
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Amid the bluster of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte over the past year, a clearer picture emerged in 2017 of the leader and the direction he wants the country to take. Duterte may be a popular shaker and change-maker, but for the most part, he has also proven to be a divisive president.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
ID:
160387
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia’s “eastward pivot” has intensified, mainly observable as strengthened relations with China, which appear to be evolving into a quasi-alliance. This places in question Russian attempts at diversification in the Asia-Pacific, and its position in Central Asia, where China’s Belt and Road Initiative challenges Russian influence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
ID:
160410
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Singapore introduced structural changes to its elected presidency that reserve an election for minority candidates. Halimah Yaacob then became the country’s first female Malay president, after running unopposed. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s siblings were involved in a protracted quarrel over allegations of abuse of power by the prime minister.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
ID:
160388
|
|
|
|
|
| Summary/Abstract |
The biggest story of 2017 in South Korea was the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye and the election of Moon Jae-in, shifting power from conservative to progressive. The economy showed signs of recovery despite multiple concerns. The North Korean nuclear crisis intensified tensions in the region.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|