US experts to visit Pyongyang before envoy Nov 21, 2009
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Passing the buck on North Korea Nov 7, 2009
The other, Scott Snyder, who directs Korea policy at the Asia Foundation, speaks out regularly on North Korea, generally from a somewhat centrist viewpoint ... The fact that both of them travel on government budgets - the Korea Economic Institute is funded by South Korea and the Asia Foundation by the US and a raft of others - makes them official enough as far as Pyongyang is concerned. (Asia Times Online)
* Obamas war turning into endless quagmire Nov 3, 2009
In some contrast to Hohs gloomy outlook, the results of a recent poll of Afghans released this week by the Asia Foundation, the non-governmental organization promoting development in Asia, produced a flicker of light. The survey found that 42 percent feel the country is moving in the right direction, up from 38 percent last year, but well below the 64 percent five years ago. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
More Afghans optimistic about future despite U.S. disillusionment Oct 30, 2009
The 2009 survey was conducted by the Asia Foundation, with all interviews completed in person by 648 Afghan men and women employed by the Afghan Center for Socio-Economic and Opinion Research in Kabul ... As for whether respondents' answers were colored by fear of repercussions, Sunil Pillai, program officer in Afghanistan for the Asia Foundation, said the organization mitigated those issues by using locals to conduct the interviews ... Zoran Milovic, a deputy country representative in... (Xinhuanet, China)
Blame game intensifies over Philippines typhoon response Oct 16, 2009
Teodoro's prominence in the relief operations may boost his poll numbers if voters feel gratitude for what aid did come their way, says Steven Rood, the country director for the Asia Foundation, a US nonprofit. It could go the other way, though, if the cleanup effort falters and victims blame the administration. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Ongoing mass anti-gov't rally in Bangkok feared to turn violent Sep 20, 2009
The latest survey by the Asia Foundation, which conducted on 1,500 Thais in 26 provinces, discovered that some 58 percent of the respondents have believed the country is going in a wrong direction. And, some 67 percent of the respondents feel their own economic situation has deteriorated in the past two years, the survey said. (Xinhuanet, China)
Briefing: Why Thai protesters are taking to the streets again Sep 19, 2009
After nearly four years of upheaval, Thais are disenchanted by politics in general: only 31 percent think the country is moving in the right direction, according to a survey by the Asia Foundation. Who was behind last year's protests. (Christian Science Monitor)
Thai recovery setspolitical quandary Sep 18, 2009
Nationwide survey results released by the Asia Foundation on Wednesday found that less than one-third of the electorate believes that the country is moving in the right direction - though it isn't clear if the survey was conducted before or after signs of economic recovery became more apparent. Respondents were split evenly on whether charter change would improve or deepen the political crisis. (Asia Times Online)
Thailand's political army: Where power lies Sep 18, 2009
A recent survey by the Asia Foundation ranked it second behind the judiciary as institutions with integrity (the monarchy was not an option). But only 37% of respondents said it was neutral. (The Economist)
US brushes off North Korea's overtures Sep 10, 2009
"They see where this might be heading and they want to row back," adds Scott Snyder, director of the Center for US-Korea Policy at the Asia Foundation in Washington. US sticks to sanctions. (Christian Science Monitor)
Massacre suspect's release draws warning from UN Sep 7, 2009
But activists in Dili dispute that claim, pointing to an Asia Foundation survey of 1220 people across the nation last year in which 90 per cent of those asked said that murderers should not avoid punishment or paying compensation to victims. Mr Bere's release has provoked deep emotions because the massacre, in the town of Suai, was the most brutal instance of the violence that erupted when East Timorese voted to break away from Indonesia. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
* ANALYSIS: Pyongyang intent on pursuing nuke program: analysts Sep 6, 2009
These may be efforts to lay down some markers or establish a position on some of these issues that they may anticipate will come up, said Scott Snyder, a Korea expert at the Asia Foundation and the Council on Foreign Relations. North Korea has two pages in its playbook X one is provocation, brinkmanship and the raising of tensions and the other is seemingly conciliatory gestures. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Bill Clinton meets Kim to free two journalists Aug 5, 2009
Scott Snyder, of the non-profit Asia Foundation, said Mr Clinton;s standing as a world statesman carried weight. The North Koreans have a lot of nostalgia for the end of the Clinton administration. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
A true espionage page-turner Aug 1, 2009
The Asia Foundation, a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) cover organization that encouraged young Asians to study in the US, provided the sponsorship. The exit visa was obtained through family connections and the funds scraped together by the Communist Party. (Asia Times Online)
Teacher, therapist and woman on a mission Jul 26, 2009
Bob ran a printing press for the Asia Foundation and was printing school books for the growing student population which was enjoying some of the ways of Western civilization. It was a rather free society until the Soviet invasion in 1979. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
News Analysis: Democracy has still long way to take roots in Afghanistan Jul 20, 2009
A public opinion survey, done by the Asia Foundation, revealed a strong commitment of the majority of Afghans to personal freedom, peace, democratic government, and respect for a system of rights and laws. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, the Afghan Foreign Minister said at a recent discussion at the Center for American Progress that the massive constitutional, executive, and parliamentary changes that have occurred in the country in the last seven years can serve as evidence of democratic advancement. (Xinhuanet, China)
Lighting the way Jun 30, 2009
Organised jointly by Light of Asia Foundation, The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the film festival received over 200 feature, documentary and short films based on Buddhist themes, of which 60 were international entries. Filmmakers from Japan, South Korea, the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, Canada, Brazil, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka competed in the... (The Star Online, Malaysia)
In Indonesia Vote, Change Not on Ticket Jun 25, 2009
"All of the presidential candidates have been in office, so we know who they are," says Sandra Hamid, who handles governance issues at the Asia Foundation. "It is hard to know what they could tell people that will change their minds.". (Time.com)
Q&A: 'Films have no boundaries' Jun 24, 2009
"It was held in Delhi for the first two years after which Goa was chosen as its permanent venue," says Rahul Barua, secretary-general of South Asia Foundation that organises the festival, in a conversation with Divya A ... "South Asian Film Festival was held in Delhi for the first two years after which Goa was chosen as its permanent venue," says Rahul Barua, secretary-general of South Asia Foundation that organises the festival, in a conversation with Divya A. (India Times, India)
N. Korea threatens strike after US-S. Korea summit Jun 18, 2009
The two presidents "went further than I've ever seen," says Scott Snyder, a long-time Korea-watcher at the Asia Foundation. The use of the phrase "nuclear umbrella" in the statement, he says, was particularly "useful" to President Lee amid concerns about just what North Korea means when it says that South Korean cooperation with the US constitutes "an act of war.". (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
How big a threat is North Korea? May 29, 2009
"There is an indication that [North Korea's] main focus is on the possibility of export as a vehicle by which to increase their access to foreign currency," says Scott Snyder, director of the Center for US-Korea Policy at the Asia Foundation. It is widely believed that a nuclear reactor recently constructed in Syria and destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in October 2008 was built with assistance from North Korea. (Christian Science Monitor)
Newsweek: Understanding N. Korea's latest move May 27, 2009
"[The statements] do contain a lot of bombast that can sometimes obscure their core position, but if you read them closely, ultimately what they demand and request, their bottom lines are very clear," says Scott Snyder, a North Korea expert at The Asia Foundation in Washington. Judging from those statements, the top brass of the Korean People's Army now seem to have the upper hand in Kim Jong Il's decision making. (MSNBC -- International)
What can the US do about North Korea? May 27, 2009
"For the administration, the immediate challenge is how to get the American journalists out of North Korea without giving North Korea leverage or enhancing the perception that we accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state," says Scott Snyder, director of the Center for US-Korea Policy at The Asia Foundation. News of the test became public when North Korea issued a statement saying it had successfully detonated a nuclear device, defying international sanctions. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Obama says North Korea nuclear test a 'grave concern' May 25, 2009
" He said his administration would work through the U.N. Security Council and the six-party talks on North Korea to address the issue. Under the so-called "six-party" talks among the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, North Korea committed in 2005 to abandon all its nuclear programs. Pyongyang has been engaged in years of on-off negotiations with regional powers, which have been pressing the impoverished state to give up its nuclear ambitions in return for massive aid and an... (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Elusive Sri Lanka victory a family triumph May 20, 2009
"There was no vacillation as there has been with previous governments," said Nilan Fernando, the country director for an American nonprofit, the Asia Foundation, who is based in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital. "Previous governments were always playing for a draw. This time, they were playing for a win.". (Boston Globe)
Tiger Farms: A Ticket to Extinction May 9, 2009
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine * AMUR * Animal Welfare Institute * Animals Asia Foundation * Association of Zoos Aquariums * Big Cat Rescue * Born Free Foundation * Born Free USA * British and Irish Association of Zoos iums * Care for the Wild International * Conservation International * Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine * David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation * Education for Nature Vietnam * Environmental Investigation Agency * Global Tiger Patrol *... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Obama riles high-tech exec over outsourcing May 6, 2009
Cindy Marks, China and Hong Kong country manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and Simon Ogus, founder and CEO of DSG Asia Ltd., a Hong Kong consultancy, take a crack at the questions at a California-Asia Business Council lunch and discussion Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Asia Foundation, 465 California St. Get registration, price and other information at. Tips, feedback: E-mail. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Behind the Afghan propaganda May 2, 2009
They also give important space to the role of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and CIA-front organizations such as the Asia Foundation (which today still works extensively in and around Afghanistan). "Large numbers of American intellectuals participated in [Asia] Foundation programs, and they - usually unwittingly - contributed to popularizing of CIA ideas about the Far East. Designed ... as an overseas propaganda operation, the Asia Foundation also was regularly guilty of propagandizing... (Asia Times Online)
North Korea has ransom on its mind Apr 28, 2009
"The North Koreans know they have the Chinese in their pocket," Scott Snyder, a North Korea expert with the Asia Foundation, remarked at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. But why. (Asia Times Online)
In Indonesian election, secular parties confirm appeal Apr 10, 2009
"Indonesia's Muslim electorate is not interested in an Islamist agenda. Indonesia is a very religious country, there's a lot spirituality, and this is increasing in public life. But that doesn't mean that Indonesians want a religious state," says Robin Bush, country director of the Asia Foundation. Since 2003, Islamic laws, or sharia, have been passed by dozens of local legislatures across Indonesia in some localities, unaccompanied women have been subject to nighttime curfews. (Christian Science Monitor)
Indonesia Moves Toward Center in Elections Apr 10, 2009
"We're seeing the Indonesian voter demonstrating that it is a rational voter, shunning sectarian issues," says Robin Bush, country representative for the Asia Foundation. "This election was a clear statement that they want progress.". (Time.com)
A perilous mission Mar 28, 2009
Mar 27th 2009From Economist. Barack Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan. (The Economist)
Cranking up the outrage-o-meter Mar 24, 2009
Finance and economics. Finance and economics. (The Economist)
* FEATURE : Activists rescue bears, but bile trade continues Mar 12, 2009
Robinsons Hong Kong-based Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) signed an agreement with Sichuan authorities in 1999 to rescue 500 bears in the province. Animals Asia, which runs the rescue center, pays bear owners what Robinson says is a market rate for the animals, though she wont reveal how much. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Promoters of all kinds take a shot at online video Mar 10, 2009
His customers include the AFL-CIO, Anti-Defamation League, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Archive of American Law Enforcement and The Asia Foundation. The phenomenon should continue to grow now that Brightcove and rivals, including PermissionTV, Ooyala and Maven Networks, "are targeting (non-media) companies," says Forrester Research senior analyst Bobby Tulsiani. (USA Today -- Tech)
Andrew Symon: Wonderful company lost Mar 10, 2009
The writer is country representative for The Asia Foundation in Cambodia. He lived in Indonesia between 1996 and 2006. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Colony collapse disorder: The bees are back in town Mar 6, 2009
Science and technology. The bees are back in town. (The Economist)
Feeling the heat Mar 4, 2009
The cops are squeezing the robbers. Illustration by Claudio Munoz. (The Economist)
Karzai draws criticism for early election call Mar 2, 2009
A recent poll by the US-based Asia Foundation found that nearly 65 percent of voters intended to follow the voting instructions of tribal leaders. Given such a system, some observers and opposition candidates say the situation is tilted in Karzai's favor. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Art.view: Bull for a night Mar 1, 2009
Feb 28th 2009From Economist. Echoes of the boom years in a notable Paris sale. (The Economist)
Down, down, deeper and down Feb 27, 2009
British house prices. Feb 26th 2009From Economist. (The Economist)
Daily chart: Thirsty work Feb 26, 2009
Feb 25th 2009From Economist. The water needed to produce everyday goods and beverages. (The Economist)
Afghan TV Stations Find Censorship Line Is Blurry Feb 15, 2009
More than 80 percent of city residents own televisions, along with more than 20 percent of rural dwellers, according to the Asia Foundation. For the rest, there are kebab restaurants with flat-screen TVs and teahouses with smaller sets playing in the corner. (CBS News -- World)
Corporate finance: Triple trouble Feb 7, 2009
Country RepresentativeKabul, AfghanistanThe Asia Foundation is seeking a Country. Uni. (The Economist)
