Asia Pacific Archives

Research Briefing

China: new political directions under a new leadership?

Wednesday, 27 February, 2013

A new Chinese leadership is about to take power at the National People’s Congress, which begins on 5 March. Xi Jinping will take on the role of President, while Li Keqiang will become Premier. The succession of the 'fifth generation' of Communist leaders appeared to have been destabilised during 2012 following the fall of Bo Xilai, but in the end has gone relatively smoothly. Commentators are now focused on whether and, if so, how Xi and Li will change China's political course. This note surveys some of the views being expressed on this issue.
Research Briefing

Southeast Asia: an update

Friday, 01 February, 2013

The political and economic profile of Southeast Asia as a region continues to rise. The UK is scaling up its engagement with the region. This briefing provides country snapshots of the main events in six of the countries in the region since the start of 2012 and also looks at significant developments over the past year or so in the UK’s relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states.
Research Briefing

In brief: North Korea and the nuclear issue one year on from the succession

Monday, 28 January, 2013

After a failed ballistic missile launch by North Korea in April 2012, an apparently more successful one took place in December, characterized at the time by the regime as a satellite launch. The UN Security Council passed a resolution further toughening sanctions. North Korea has responded to the new sanctions with its customary threatening rhetoric and has announced that it is preparing to conduct a third nuclear weapon test, following on from those undertaken in 2006 and 2009. This note surveys the state of play on the nuclear issue in the light of internal developments in North Korea, where Kim Jon-Un appears to have consolidated his power.
Research Briefing

Large-scale land acquisitions in developing countries – camouflage for ‘land grabbing’?

Friday, 21 December, 2012

Oxfam has launched a campaign on the issue of ‘land-grabbing’ – or what others would call ‘large-scale land acquisitions’ – in developing countries around the world, including by foreign governments or companies, with the World Bank primarily in its sights. This note is a brief introduction to the debate, current multilateral initiatives on the issue and the stance of the UK Government.
Research Briefing

Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war

Thursday, 20 December, 2012

Sri Lanka's civil war ended in May 2009. Since then President Mohinda Rajapakse has consolidated his power at home but has been unable to shake off international controversy about alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by the security forces during the final phase of the conflict. There are also grave doubts about whether the govermment is willing to promote the kind of regional autonomy that many observers believe is essential to avoiding renewed conflict in the longer-term.
Research Briefing

Pakistan in 2013

Thursday, 06 December, 2012

2013 will be another important year for Pakistan. Federal and provincial elections will be held during the first half of the year. If, as seems increasingly likely, the Pakistan People’s Party-led Government sees out its full term in office and hands over to a civilian successor, it will be the first time in Pakistan’s history that this has happened. But the political and economic situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable.
Research Briefing

The cost of international military operations by the UK (2001-2013)

Monday, 01 October, 2012

This note provides a summary of the estimated and actual costs of international military operations conducted by the UK in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. The paper includes information on Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) as well as comparisons with US expenditure. Comprehensive analysis of policy developments concerning Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya can be found on the associated Topic pages.
Research Briefing

In Brief: Afghanistan – insider attacks

Tuesday, 18 September, 2012

This note looks at the rising number of insider attacks against ISAF personnel in Afghanistan and the response from ISAF and the Government.
Research Briefing

Afghanistan: The Timetable for Security Transition

Monday, 09 July, 2012

NATO assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in August 2003. At its summit in Chicago in May 2012, NATO confirmed ISAF’s mission will end on 31 December 2014. It also mapped out the transition of security for Afghanistan from ISAF to Afghan National Security Forces. Specifically, it set the goal for Afghan forces to be in the lead for security nation-wide by mid-2013.
Research Briefing

NATO: The Chicago Summit

Friday, 11 May, 2012

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) holds its Heads of State and Government summit in Chicago on 20-21 May 2012. The main themes of the summit are Afghanistan, capabilities and partnerships.
Research Briefing

Armenia 2012

Thursday, 10 May, 2012

Armenia has recently held a parliamentary election that appeared to show that the country’s political culture is making some progress. There remain two big problems in Armenia’s relations with other countries: its occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, which observers fear may spark another war, and the argument over whether the 1915 massacres amounted to genocide.
Research Briefing

Bangladesh: the International Crimes Tribunal

Thursday, 03 May, 2012

The Government of Bangladesh has re-established a long dormant International Crimes Tribunal to try people for alleged 'international crimes' committed during the 1971 war of independence. Eight men, all senior figures in opposition parties, currently face trial. While steps have been taken to strengthen the rules of procedure of the Tribunal, there are criticisms that the process still falls short of interntional standards.
Research Briefing

In brief: Burma – the beginning of a new era?

Wednesday, 04 April, 2012

Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy achieved a stunning victory in recent by-elections, leading some to argue that Burma's democratic transition is no sham after all. This note briefly surveys the debate about what has been achieved so far, what remains to be done and whether the time has come to scrap Western sanctions.
Research Briefing

In brief: Afghanistan – timetable to 2014

Thursday, 29 March, 2012

This note provides a brief outline of the timetable for withdrawal of NATO combat forces from Afghanistan by 2014.
Research Briefing

In brief: Pakistan’s multiple crises

Monday, 30 January, 2012

This note briefly surveys the current crisis in civil-military relations in Pakistan, which is symbolised by the 'memogate' scandal. With the Supreme Court also hearing a charge of contempt of court against Prime Minister Gilani, the government's position looks precarious. While a military coup is possible, early elections are more likely.

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