Richard thanks for this an interesting hypothesis. Agree this is something to be observed. Will the Philippines join Cambodia and Laos as one of China’s client states, or perhaps merely a comprador like Thailand and Myanmar?Duterte in his recent comments does reflect the anti-American rhetoric of the Filipino left especially during the Marcos era when the US was “waltzing with a dictator”, to use the title of a classic study of US-Filipino relations at the time. Interesting to see if realpolitik considerations (e.g. “the adversary of my adversary is my friend”) will Trump (excuse the pun) ideological ones.
[…] “Die Kim-Jong-un-mäßigen Zustimmungsraten sind wie ein grünes Licht für weitere Tötungen”, kommentiert Fabio Scarpello, Politikwissenschaftler an der Murdoch Universität in Perth. Stattdessen reagiert mit er […]
The AEC has got absolutely nothing to do with the migratory flows that this author describes. The AEC only allows for the temporary migration of skilled workers to provide services, and even then it is highly compromised by continued protectionism, as is the AEC more widely (see http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09512748.2015.1022593). If you want to write about irregular migration and its perils, fine, but don’t make a spurious and misleading link to the AEC.
Sondhi Limthongkul was yesterday escorted to a Bangkok jail to begin his 20-year sentence for white collar crime (swindle) committed in year 2000. Sondhi had lost all avenues of appeal because this was a final ruling from Thailand’s Supreme Court.
President Obama does not know where Southeast Asia is located and his Asia experts are dolts who do not know Asia. Neither Trump nor Hillary know Asia. The United States has no policy towards Asia because it has no guidance from true Asia experts. When Korean-Americans are appointed Ambassadors to Malaysia and Singaporean Ambassadors bought there positions with campaign donations, one cannot have any confidence that the United States knows what it is doing. That was not always the case, but whatever issues one may have with Australian foreign policy, there is a much greater understanding of Asia ‘Down Under’. The only pivot President Obama is making is on a basketball court or a golf course.
When Brunei introduced the Syariah Penal Code, it received much media attention that focused on speculation of future injustice, particularly in the areas of gender and sexuality rights. This article, on the other hand, shows us there’s no need for speculation and conjecture, as we can already see that Brunei and its ‘Malay Islamic Monarchy’ is fundamentally unjust, by its very nature and structure, and that its oppression is long-standing and reaches well beyond the realm of gender and sexual orientation.
Without having studied the bilateral trade relationship, I can only suggest that rather limited complementarity between the Australian and Indonesian economies has probably been the basic reason. By contrast, there has been high complementarity between Australia and the countries of Northeast Asia, and apparently between them and Indonesia too.
The Australia-Indonesia Business Council website may have more details.
Excellent post Ken Ward. What is the fundamental reason Indonesia and Australia are such low trading partners? I’m I think we should have a much higher engagement – at every level. I’m perplexed by the fact we don’t. When – by all rational logic – we should.
Ashin Thawbita was a monk-schoolteacher who was in Meikhtilar to buy schoolbooks. He was attacked with swords by a mob, castrated and slowly tortured with burning petrol and acid., eventually passing away several hours later in hospital.
The predictable Western Buddhist response: http://www.inebnetwork.org/news-and-media/8-news/420-world-buddhist-leaders-response-to-the-growing-ethnic-violence-against-muslims-in-myanmar-
Aside from not understanding their own arrogance and temerity in lecturing Burma on Buddhism, what these ‘world leaders’ fail to grasp is that Buddhism has never been entirely soft and pacifistic. If necessary Buddhism can defend itself.
It is no secret that Australia and Indonesia are only minor trading partners for one another. It is less clear, however, why Australia, which lies southeast of the most heavily populated islands of Indonesia, should be lumped into Indonesia’s ‘western frontier’ along with India, Europe etc.
That Indonesian government ministries and agencies find it hard to understand the Global Maritime Fulcrum concept doesn’t surprise one, because Jokowi himself has done little to explain it.
It is not encouraging that he has appointed three coordinating ministers for maritime affairs in less than two years. Presumably it is from this post that planning for the GMF should be conducted. So far, nobody seems to be responsible for its implementation. Perhaps Budi Gunawan will take on that task once he has put BIN into better shape.
There hasn’t been any Islamic terrorist attacks in Burma despite all the anti-Muslim atrocities committed by the so-called “peaceful-Buddhist” Burmese. Many foreigners wonder why? The reason is quite simple. Burmese will not take it and retaliations will be the realization of “now-widely-anticipating” Muslim genocide.
Burmese do not care much about law-and-order and are willing to take law into their own hands if they are provoked and physically attacked. And Muslims in Burma know it well and thus prevent the terror attacks from happening by not cooperating with outside terrorist groups. Just stop and ask any Bengali-looking-Muslim on the streets in Rangoon.
Muslims killed only one Buddhist monk in Meikhtilar and the whole town came out and nearly wiped out all 16 mosques and thousands of defenseless Muslims. It happened in 2013 and most victims are still living in so-called refugee camps on the outskirt of the town as the their tormentors would not let them back into their own homes.
I am a forward looking person, citizen of the world. You want to bring in history and justifications for mass murders? Go thru the history books. The world is as is today due to the evolution of history. Who is to say how the world would be if history had turned out different?
Please do not try to justify the use of the “A-bomb”. If only one was dropped, then maybe you can try, but two?
While you are at it (justifying), try justifying the poisoning of aborigines in Australia by white immigrants. BTW the crusades is a “holy war”
Excellent analysis, thank you. May I suggest that your perplexity over the South China Sea issue would vanish if one accepts the thesis that Duterte is pushing an entirely new approach of world-wide geopolitical significance: rapidly eroding the long ties between the RP and the US and moving towards a friendly accommodation with the new kid on the block, Beijing. It is not the mark of close allies for one to refer to the leader of the other as the son of a whore. Whether or not this push will succeed is something to watch out for and monitor in the coming months.
What an eye-opener for any Australia-centric perspectives : “Indonesia’s total trade with China, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong in 2012 was more than double its trade with India, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa combined.”
Moral of the story; do not simply migrate and live in other countries without agreeing to adopt the culture and customs as well as the local community way of life. Also teach that among your family members. It’s not about how well you can accept them, but it is about how well they can accept you. If we can’t agree with major issues and regulations, just leave the country.
Oh, so you aren’t Asian, Neptunian. Unless you’re Japanese, few Asians could be so ignorant. By August 1945, close to 20 million must have died in Asia in the war. China suffered the most but in the Philippines, for example, about 1 million died. In spring 1945, about 100,000 died in Manila alone in house-to-house fighting between the Japanese and US/Filipino troops. Most of the city was flattened. In Myanmar, more cities were reduced to ashes. Imagine five armies crisscrossing that country.
The Japanese themselves were developing an atomic bomb. When you become aware of Japan’s use of biological weapons in China, their bizarre medical experiments on live prisoners, widespread civilian bombing, the systematic murders of prisoners of war (a much greater proportion of Chinese POWs than westerners), especially as 1945 onward, you realized that the Japanese would readily have used such a weapon. Then there was the forced labor of Chinese, Koreans, Malays; beheading of ethnic Chinese everywhere …the forced prostitution of so many Koreans, Taiwan Chinese women and Japanese women too …
Well,, then you can understand why there was widespread rejoicing throughout Asia when they learned of this miracle bomb. Did you know that more people died during Japan’s months-long rampage in Nanjing (about 300,000) than died from the repercussions of the bombs? Yes, of course, there was terrible suffering from the bombs–undeniable. I don’t get it, though: how many more (non-Japanese) people in Asia should have suffered, and died (don’t forget starvation!) while waiting for the land battles, and invasion of Japan–in lieu of the atomic bombs? The thinking was that defeating Japan by conventional warfare would take years.
If you spent any time in Japan, you would know that the Japanese sometimes depict themselves and European Jews as the greatest victims of WW2. Let’s just say not many (even moderately informed) people in the world agree with them.
>>thru the ages, religion killed more people than all the diseases put together.
How would one quantify that? 90% of the indigenous population of the Americas died within 100 years of Columbus’s arrival–primarily (by far) due to the alien diseases introduced. The Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, British and French certainly weren’t very benign occupiers but, the population didn’t decline so sharply due to murder.
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A policy without a strategy
[…] A policy without a strategy […]
A shroud of violence in the Philippines
Richard thanks for this an interesting hypothesis. Agree this is something to be observed. Will the Philippines join Cambodia and Laos as one of China’s client states, or perhaps merely a comprador like Thailand and Myanmar?Duterte in his recent comments does reflect the anti-American rhetoric of the Filipino left especially during the Marcos era when the US was “waltzing with a dictator”, to use the title of a classic study of US-Filipino relations at the time. Interesting to see if realpolitik considerations (e.g. “the adversary of my adversary is my friend”) will Trump (excuse the pun) ideological ones.
Will bombs burst Thailand’s tourism bubble?
No, it’s not.
It’s SEX tourism!
Wait for the book “Kings and whores” and don’t be afraid of the truth!
It will be told whether the Thai Royals like it or not, end of story!
Will bombs burst Thailand’s tourism bubble?
Even better said, Chris.
One thing NOT to forget, eradicate Thailand’s biggest pest, the royal suckers!
C’mon. Everyone with a little effort on researching this sick cult will know, why!
A shroud of violence in the Philippines
[…] “Die Kim-Jong-un-mäßigen Zustimmungsraten sind wie ein grünes Licht für weitere Tötungen”, kommentiert Fabio Scarpello, Politikwissenschaftler an der Murdoch Universität in Perth. Stattdessen reagiert mit er […]
Trapped in economic upheaval
The AEC has got absolutely nothing to do with the migratory flows that this author describes. The AEC only allows for the temporary migration of skilled workers to provide services, and even then it is highly compromised by continued protectionism, as is the AEC more widely (see http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09512748.2015.1022593). If you want to write about irregular migration and its perils, fine, but don’t make a spurious and misleading link to the AEC.
Sondhi Limthongkul going to gaol?
Sondhi Limthongkul was yesterday escorted to a Bangkok jail to begin his 20-year sentence for white collar crime (swindle) committed in year 2000. Sondhi had lost all avenues of appeal because this was a final ruling from Thailand’s Supreme Court.
Who’s next? Panthongthae Shinawatra perhaps?
Will bombs burst Thailand’s tourism bubble?
Walking through Sydney Martin Place “Thai Tourism Promotion” yesterday, I couldn’t help but be surprised by what a non-attended, non-event it was.
Washington’s pivot to Southeast Asia
President Obama does not know where Southeast Asia is located and his Asia experts are dolts who do not know Asia. Neither Trump nor Hillary know Asia. The United States has no policy towards Asia because it has no guidance from true Asia experts. When Korean-Americans are appointed Ambassadors to Malaysia and Singaporean Ambassadors bought there positions with campaign donations, one cannot have any confidence that the United States knows what it is doing. That was not always the case, but whatever issues one may have with Australian foreign policy, there is a much greater understanding of Asia ‘Down Under’. The only pivot President Obama is making is on a basketball court or a golf course.
Brunei’s stateless left in a state of confusion
When Brunei introduced the Syariah Penal Code, it received much media attention that focused on speculation of future injustice, particularly in the areas of gender and sexuality rights. This article, on the other hand, shows us there’s no need for speculation and conjecture, as we can already see that Brunei and its ‘Malay Islamic Monarchy’ is fundamentally unjust, by its very nature and structure, and that its oppression is long-standing and reaches well beyond the realm of gender and sexual orientation.
A policy without a strategy
Without having studied the bilateral trade relationship, I can only suggest that rather limited complementarity between the Australian and Indonesian economies has probably been the basic reason. By contrast, there has been high complementarity between Australia and the countries of Northeast Asia, and apparently between them and Indonesia too.
The Australia-Indonesia Business Council website may have more details.
A policy without a strategy
Excellent post Ken Ward. What is the fundamental reason Indonesia and Australia are such low trading partners? I’m I think we should have a much higher engagement – at every level. I’m perplexed by the fact we don’t. When – by all rational logic – we should.
Tolerance in the time of terror
Ashin Thawbita was a monk-schoolteacher who was in Meikhtilar to buy schoolbooks. He was attacked with swords by a mob, castrated and slowly tortured with burning petrol and acid., eventually passing away several hours later in hospital.
The predictable Western Buddhist response:
http://www.inebnetwork.org/news-and-media/8-news/420-world-buddhist-leaders-response-to-the-growing-ethnic-violence-against-muslims-in-myanmar-
Aside from not understanding their own arrogance and temerity in lecturing Burma on Buddhism, what these ‘world leaders’ fail to grasp is that Buddhism has never been entirely soft and pacifistic. If necessary Buddhism can defend itself.
A policy without a strategy
It is no secret that Australia and Indonesia are only minor trading partners for one another. It is less clear, however, why Australia, which lies southeast of the most heavily populated islands of Indonesia, should be lumped into Indonesia’s ‘western frontier’ along with India, Europe etc.
That Indonesian government ministries and agencies find it hard to understand the Global Maritime Fulcrum concept doesn’t surprise one, because Jokowi himself has done little to explain it.
It is not encouraging that he has appointed three coordinating ministers for maritime affairs in less than two years. Presumably it is from this post that planning for the GMF should be conducted. So far, nobody seems to be responsible for its implementation. Perhaps Budi Gunawan will take on that task once he has put BIN into better shape.
Tolerance in the time of terror
There hasn’t been any Islamic terrorist attacks in Burma despite all the anti-Muslim atrocities committed by the so-called “peaceful-Buddhist” Burmese. Many foreigners wonder why? The reason is quite simple. Burmese will not take it and retaliations will be the realization of “now-widely-anticipating” Muslim genocide.
Burmese do not care much about law-and-order and are willing to take law into their own hands if they are provoked and physically attacked. And Muslims in Burma know it well and thus prevent the terror attacks from happening by not cooperating with outside terrorist groups. Just stop and ask any Bengali-looking-Muslim on the streets in Rangoon.
Muslims killed only one Buddhist monk in Meikhtilar and the whole town came out and nearly wiped out all 16 mosques and thousands of defenseless Muslims. It happened in 2013 and most victims are still living in so-called refugee camps on the outskirt of the town as the their tormentors would not let them back into their own homes.
The Duterte paradox
I am a forward looking person, citizen of the world. You want to bring in history and justifications for mass murders? Go thru the history books. The world is as is today due to the evolution of history. Who is to say how the world would be if history had turned out different?
Please do not try to justify the use of the “A-bomb”. If only one was dropped, then maybe you can try, but two?
While you are at it (justifying), try justifying the poisoning of aborigines in Australia by white immigrants. BTW the crusades is a “holy war”
A shroud of violence in the Philippines
Excellent analysis, thank you. May I suggest that your perplexity over the South China Sea issue would vanish if one accepts the thesis that Duterte is pushing an entirely new approach of world-wide geopolitical significance: rapidly eroding the long ties between the RP and the US and moving towards a friendly accommodation with the new kid on the block, Beijing. It is not the mark of close allies for one to refer to the leader of the other as the son of a whore. Whether or not this push will succeed is something to watch out for and monitor in the coming months.
A policy without a strategy
What an eye-opener for any Australia-centric perspectives : “Indonesia’s total trade with China, Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong in 2012 was more than double its trade with India, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa combined.”
Brunei’s stateless left in a state of confusion
Moral of the story; do not simply migrate and live in other countries without agreeing to adopt the culture and customs as well as the local community way of life. Also teach that among your family members. It’s not about how well you can accept them, but it is about how well they can accept you. If we can’t agree with major issues and regulations, just leave the country.
The Duterte paradox
Oh, so you aren’t Asian, Neptunian. Unless you’re Japanese, few Asians could be so ignorant. By August 1945, close to 20 million must have died in Asia in the war. China suffered the most but in the Philippines, for example, about 1 million died. In spring 1945, about 100,000 died in Manila alone in house-to-house fighting between the Japanese and US/Filipino troops. Most of the city was flattened. In Myanmar, more cities were reduced to ashes. Imagine five armies crisscrossing that country.
The Japanese themselves were developing an atomic bomb. When you become aware of Japan’s use of biological weapons in China, their bizarre medical experiments on live prisoners, widespread civilian bombing, the systematic murders of prisoners of war (a much greater proportion of Chinese POWs than westerners), especially as 1945 onward, you realized that the Japanese would readily have used such a weapon. Then there was the forced labor of Chinese, Koreans, Malays; beheading of ethnic Chinese everywhere …the forced prostitution of so many Koreans, Taiwan Chinese women and Japanese women too …
Well,, then you can understand why there was widespread rejoicing throughout Asia when they learned of this miracle bomb. Did you know that more people died during Japan’s months-long rampage in Nanjing (about 300,000) than died from the repercussions of the bombs? Yes, of course, there was terrible suffering from the bombs–undeniable. I don’t get it, though: how many more (non-Japanese) people in Asia should have suffered, and died (don’t forget starvation!) while waiting for the land battles, and invasion of Japan–in lieu of the atomic bombs? The thinking was that defeating Japan by conventional warfare would take years.
If you spent any time in Japan, you would know that the Japanese sometimes depict themselves and European Jews as the greatest victims of WW2. Let’s just say not many (even moderately informed) people in the world agree with them.
>>thru the ages, religion killed more people than all the diseases put together.
How would one quantify that? 90% of the indigenous population of the Americas died within 100 years of Columbus’s arrival–primarily (by far) due to the alien diseases introduced. The Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, British and French certainly weren’t very benign occupiers but, the population didn’t decline so sharply due to murder.