Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) patronizing comments earlier this month toward Aboriginal community leaders in Sindian (新店), Taipei County, exposed an elitist and chauvinist side to his persona that has hardly been seen before.

[ FULL STORY ]

By Sim Kiantek 沈建德
Following criticism from several US officials on Taiwan's UN referendum, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also expressed her opposition recently, calling it a provocative policy.

[ FULL STORY ]

By Sushil Seth
The relationship between China and Japan seems to have improved since Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda took over in September. The improvement, though, is largely superficial.

[ FULL STORY ]

By Lin Chia 林洽
A democracy cannot exist without freedom of expression, just like a body cannot survive without eating. To live, we must eat; to have democracy, we must have freedom of speech.

[ FULL STORY ]

Kremlin intrigue may be behind rumors of Putin acquiring vast personal wealth as the Russian president tries to stay on top
By Tom Parfitt
Not many people own a watch worth more than their annual salary, but Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be one.

[ FULL STORY ]

In Russia, as elsewhere, little transparency feeds a pervasive gangster culture that can hamstring social and economic progress
By Max Hastings
Some of us speculate occasionally, albeit without real cupidity, about what we would do if we suddenly found ourselves in possession of a billion dollars. Even after funding a big house with lots of staff, car with chauffeur, yacht, helicopter and suchlike, there would be enough left to live on the interest, with a few hundred million to spare.

[ FULL STORY ]