• West Asia

    “Nasser” – key word in Egyptian Presidential Elections

    A few years ago, and for almost half a century back, going to the polls was not a regular habit for Egyptians. The face of one ultimate president, Nasser, Sadat, and Mubarak, was shading the backdrop of the stage. So, Egyptians believed that even if they tried to choose an…

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  • South East Asia

    Shall Thailand submerge deeper into political turmoil?

    After the Thailand’s supreme court decision demanding instant ouster of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on May 7, Thailand seems to be sinking deeper into an unprecedented political turmoil. Yingluck’s supporters as well as opponents started to gather to express their support for their respective political camp. Separately, the National…

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  • South East Asia

    BIMSTEC vows to achieve founding goals

    The third summit of BIMSTEC ended in Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw on March 4 with a firm resolve to make continued efforts in accomplishing the founding aims and purposes of the seven-nation forum of South and South East Asia. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic…

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  • East Asia

    Pyongyang’s motives behind conciliatory gestures

    A remarkable chain of diplomatic initiatives from Pyongyang has marked the last two months. Since early January, North Korean ambassadors in a number of countries delivered public statements and conducted interviews where they emphasized that their government is ready to do all it can to improve inter-Korean relations. A number…

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  • Park to stick to current Cabinet for June polls

    President Park Geun-hye is expected to engage in a large-scale reshuffle of her administration in the wake of the government’s ham-fisted responses to the Sewol tragedy. However, most observers say that the shake-up will take place either after the June 4 local elections or just before them to help the…

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  • Large-scale Cabinet reshuffle unavoidable

    Many heads are expected to roll amid growing public outrage over the government’s lax, inefficient handling of the Sewol ferry disaster. President Park Geun-hye is likely to carry out a large-scale Cabinet reshuffle, holding a number of Cabinet members accountable for inept responses. Since the ferry carrying 476 passengers capsized…

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  • South Korea, China warn North Korea on nuclear test

    Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his commitment to opposing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions during telephone talks with President Park Geun-hye, Wednesday, according to presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook. Xi’s remarks came at a time when the North is thought to be preparing to carry out a fourth nuclear test later this…

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  • N. Korea offers condolences over S. Korean ferry victims

    North Korea has expressed its condolences over the sinking of a South Korean ferry in a telephone message through its Red Cross Society, the unification ministry said Wednesday. The message under the name of Kang Su-rin, the chief of the Red Cross Society of North Korea, was sent to Yoo…

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  • War-torn Afghanistan holds successful election

    The first round of Afghanistan’s presidential election was held Saturday and, based on most reports, so far so good. That is particularly true in light of the threat of violence posed by the Taliban and, potentially, other heavily armed elements in and outside the country. Turnout among the 12 million…

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  • Remake of spy agency

    NIS chief must step down for his boss, nation Since its birth in the early 1960s, Korea’s national intelligence agency has kept changing its name and image in keeping with the times. What has remained unchanged in the past half-century has been the public’s view of the agency as an…

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