Asia Times OnlineNews and business analysis from AsiaSouth Korea starts state sell-off- August 14, 2008 The world's third-largest shipbuilder, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, is expected to come up for sale next week, and may raise as much as US$3.5 billion for state coffers. Other sales are to follow as President Lee Myung-bak, his popularity waning, acts on campaign reform pledges.http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/JH15Dg01.html How Tenet 'betrayed' the CIA on Iraq- August 14, 2008 Saddam Hussein's intelligence czar was a secret agent for Britain's MI6 and he told Western powers that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. This information was discarded by then-Central Intelligence Agency director George Tenet because it conflicted with Washington's case for war, a new book claims. - Gareth Porter (Aug 14, '08)http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JH15Ak02.html Set to soar - or swoon- August 14, 2008 The apparent recent strength of the US stock market and dollar, in spite of worrying news items, might be read as indicating a floor has been reached. Yet if the past decade is any guide, the future remains bleak. - John Brownehttp://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JH15Dj02.html China's tough Xinjiang policy backfires- August 14, 2008 Through propaganda and crackdowns, Chinese authorities have contained simmering ethnic resentment in the western province of Xinjiang, but recent attacks have Beijing concerned that tough measures and tight control are driving disaffected Uyghurs to join the global jihadi movement in Pakistan and Afghanistan. (Aug 14, '08)http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/JH15Ad01.html US blamed for Iran's clout in Iraq- August 14, 2008 Despite instances of positive assistance from Iran, many Iraqis blame Tehran for meddling in Iraq's politics and corrupting local governments. Others, specifically in Sunni- dominated Diyala province, feel the Iranian influence would have been impossible without United States policies. - Ahmed Ali and Dahr Jamail (Aug 14, '08)http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JH15Ak01.html An inevitable clash- August 14, 2008 The conflict in Georgia marks the dangerous intersection of a heedless North Atlantic Treaty Organization policy of expansion into former Soviet Union republics and a timeless Russian mindset that fears invasion. Neither factor is likely to change: the regional situation can only get worse. - Brian M Downing (Aug 14, '08)http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/JH15Ag01.html Food aid left off the table- August 14, 2008 Hunger isn't inevitable, and in the 21st century the world grows enough food. Change is required not just where hunger is prevalent, but also in rich countries, particularly in the US, whose food aid practices, such as slow delivery and monetization of what it offers, act against resolving the problem.http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JH15Dj03.html Georgian leader's future in doubt- August 14, 2008 As soon as the crisis in Georgia subsides, President Mikheil Saakashvili faces a bruising political battle over his role in precipitating the events that led to the bloody confrontation with Russia. Central to this will be whether he deliberately overestimated the West's support for his actions. (Aug 14, '08)http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/JH15Ag02.html India-Pakistan relations in free fall- August 14, 2008 The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is back on a razor's edge, with huge Muslim protests and a Hindu backlash stoking violence. Pakistan has internationalized the issue, just as Delhi works with the United States to pressure Islamabad over its commitment to the "war on terror". The peace process between India and Pakistan is on hold, and given the volatility of the political situation in both countries, Kashmir will continue to burn. - M K Bhadrakumar (Aug 14, '08)http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JH15Df01.html ASIA HAND : Anwar's moment of truth or consequence- August 14, 2008 Malaysia's opposition is a multi-racial political force bent on economic overhaul, social reform and ending endemic corruption, Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim tells Shawn Crispin. Anwar predicts that defections to his alliance will topple the ruling government by mid-September, but first he must win a parliamentary by-election this month - and stay out of jail. (Aug 14, '08)http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JH15Ae01.html |