Asia Society: The Weekly Fix

7/9/09 - Revolt in China's Muslim Northwest

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Ethnic violence in northwestern China between Han Chinese and Muslim Uighurs has paralyzed the regional capital of Urumqi. The Asia Society's John Delury and Michael Zhao talk about the media perspectives in the West and in China - plus the dilemma Beijing faces. Also, FEER contributor Dr. Henry Miller, a physician and Stanford University fellow, criticizes the UN's decision to label H1N1 swine flu as a pandemic.

7/1/09 - Phnom Penh's Eviction Epidemic

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0500

This week, FEER contributor Geoffrey Cain discusses how property development in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, has led to mass evictions of the city's poorest workers -- and what happened when he tried to cover the story. Also, Jahid Mohseni, a founder of Afghan media company Moby Group, explains how mass media can help ensure that Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election reflects the will of the people and not just the warlords.

6/24/09 - Is ASEAN "Fed Up" with Myanmar?

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0500

FEER contributor Haseenah Koyakutty discusses what the Association of Southeast Asian Nations can and will do to push Myanmar to reform, reporting back from her exclusive interview with the current ASEAN chairman, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. She offers some insight into Thai politics as well. Also, two editors of former Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang's secret memoirs talk about the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests that led to Zhao's ouster -- and why they're still relevant today.

6/17/09 - Iran's Protests in Context

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0500

The whole world is gripped by Iran's post-election protests. To put them in context, we talk to the Asia Society's Suzanne DiMaggio, who previously directed US-Iran policy dialogue while at the United Nations Association of the USA. Also this week, Colum Murphy, deputy editor of the Far Eastern Economic Review, analyzes Thailand's rising populism. And, we hear how journalists from the International Herald Tribune worked undercover in Myanmar to report on the devastation of last year's Cyclone Nargis -- evading authorities and winning the Asia Society's Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism.

China's Real Estate Riddle; Reza Aslan on Islam Today (The Weekly Fix, 6/11/09)

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0500

FEER contributor and Beijing resident Patrick Chovanec has noticed a curious phenomenon during his time in China's capital -- rising real estate sales despite clear signs of a glut. He talks to us about China's real estate riddle. Also, Rachel Cooper, director of cultural programs and performing arts at the Asia Society, discusses New York's Muslim Voices Festival, which is playing to sold-out crowds across the city. And, from the festival, acclaimed writer Reza Aslan, author of "No god but God" and "How to Win a Cosmic War," talks about the competing voices within Islam today.

Smarter Tactics in Burma; Beating the Filipino Book Blockade (The Weekly Fix, 6/3/09)

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0500

FEER contributor Aung Din spent over four years in a Burmese prison for participating in the nonviolent struggle for democracy. Now, as executive director of the US Campaign for Burma, he calls for stronger, and smarter, international pressure on the Burmese regime to open up and stop its repression. We talk to him about his prescriptions for change. Meanwhile, author Robin Hemley tells us how he beat what he calls the Great Book Blockade of 2009 (also detailed in FEER). Plus, Asia Society President Vishakha Desai discusses the "Muslim Voices" Festival and how art and culture can help bridge divides -- an especially timely theme in light of President Obama’s landmark speech to the Muslim world this week.

Human Rights in the Philippines; "Muslim Voices" in New York City (The Weekly Fix, 5/27/09)

Wed, 27 May 2009 12:00:00 -0500

"When does closing one's eyes to mass murder become encouragement?" asks Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. We talk to him about the plague of extrajudicial killings by police-linked death squads in the Philippines -- and learn what his group is doing to stop them. Plus, we preview the groundbreaking Muslim Voices festival with a musical clip from Iranian singer Parissa, one of the world’s leading vocalists of classical Persian music.

India's Election Surprise; "Creative Destruction" in Emerging Markets (The Weekly Fix, 5/20/09)

Wed, 20 May 2009 12:00:00 -0500

In this edition of "The Weekly Fix," we discuss India's election results with FEER contributor Salil Tripathi, talk with novelist Rachel DeWoskin about culture clashes, and hear about growing entrepreneurship in emerging markets from Endeavor CEO Linda Rottenberg.

News from Nepal; Asian Contemporary Art Week (The Weekly Fix, 5/13/09)

Wed, 13 May 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Nepal was thrust into political crisis earlier this month when the prime minister resigned. We talk to FEER contributor Nicholas Owen, a political analyst and former journalist based in Kathmandu, about what it means for the country's peace process. Plus, artist Lee Mingwei joined us at the Asia Society to talk about how Buddhism influences his work -- as part of Asian Contemporary Art Week, a festival taking place this week in New York and featuring works by more than 200 artists at 35 museums and galleries across the city.

Flu Fears: What Are the Human Costs? (The Weekly Fix, 5/6/09)

Wed, 6 May 2009 12:00:00 -0500

The global anxiety over swine flu is a reminder of the potential human and economic tolls of pandemic flu. We talk to FEER Deputy Editor Colum Murphy about the lessons learned in Asia from previous outbreaks of SARS and avian flu -- and what governments and businesses can do to ease fears and minimize an outbreak's effects. Also, Asia Society's Simon Tay reports on the latest efforts to promote environmentally friendly construction across Asia.

In Sri Lanka, the Net Draws Tighter (The Weekly Fix, 3/17/09)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0500

As the Tamil Tigers struggle to avoid defeat in northern Sri Lanka, concerns are growing about the fate of civilians trapped in the shrinking war zone. We talk to FEER contributor Angilee Shah about the deteriorating security situation -- and the international reaction. Plus, we hear from Chinese Internet and e-commerce titan Jack Ma about opportunities that might be hidden in the economic downturn.