Asia
US defence secretary announces “third phase” of military build-up against China
By Peter Symonds, 4 October 2016
Ashton Carter made clear that the US would sharpen its “military edge” in the Asia Pacific so as to remain the most powerful military in the region.”
Amid war crisis, Pakistani actors hounded out of India
By Kranti Kumara, 4 October 2016
The Indian Motion Pictures Producers’ Association has passed a resolution banning Pakistani actors, singers and technicians from Bollywood productions.
India and Pakistan teeter on the brink of war
By Keith Jones, 3 October 2016
In anticipation of a possible Pakistani counter-strike, or to facilitate their own war preparations, India is evacuating tens of thousands of people living near the border.
Amnesty International documents torture by Thai junta
By Tom Peters, 3 October 2016
The Amnesty report documents the brutal methods that will be used more broadly as opposition develops to the regime’s austerity measures and brutal repression.
Philippine President Duterte declares end to joint war games with the US
By Joseph Santolan, 1 October 2016
As Duterte has sought to pursue ties with China, Washington, using the pretext of human rights as a means to pressure the Philippine president, has criticized his murderous drug war.
Sri Lankan president at the UN prostrates himself to Washington
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 1 October 2016
The accolades he received simply reflected that fact that Sirisena has dutifully toed the US line against China since coming to power in January last year.
Sri Lankan regime, Tamil nationalists reject ex-LTTE members’ poisoning allegations
By K. Nesan, 1 October 2016
The Tamil nationalist parties, like the Sri Lankan regime and its imperialist backers, are desperate to cover up the crimes of the Sri Lankan civil war.
After Kashmir attack, US media threaten to support India in war with Pakistan
By Kumaran Ira, 29 September 2016
Washington’s anti-China “pivot to Asia” is fueling war tensions between Pakistan and India, which have escalated since Islamist militants attacked an Indian military base in Kashmir.
Workers’ strikes spreading throughout South Korea
By Ben McGrath, 29 September 2016
The South Korean working class is fighting against government-led attempts to cut wages in public and private businesses.
India launches campaign to “punish” Pakistan
By Wasntha Rupasinghe, 28 September 2016
The publicly announced steps India has taken against Pakistan are of a diplomatic and economic character. But behind the scenes feverish preparations continue for a lethal “counterstrike.”
Indian workers and students speak out against US war drive
By our correspondents, 28 September 2016
Indian workers and students discussed mounting global tensions and New Delhi’s role in the US military preparations against China.
Pakistan replies with belligerence to Indian threats
By Sampath Perera, 27 September 2016
The Pakistan Air Force conducted war exercises last week, including over the skies of the national capital, Islamabad, and on the highway connecting it to Lahore.
Workers and youth at Jaffna protest speak out against US-backed Sri Lankan regime
By Subash Somachandran and K. Nesan, 27 September 2016
There is growing anger among Tamil workers and youth against the Tamil nationalists’ support for US imperialism’s foreign policy and for its client regime in Colombo.
Japan scrambles fighter to intercept Chinese military aircraft
By Peter Symonds, 26 September 2016
While the Chinese planes were outside Japanese air space, the incident highlights the sharp tensions in North East Asia amid the ongoing US military build-up in the region.
Sri Lanka government raises VAT following IMF demands
By Saman Gunadasa, 26 September 2016
The increased taxes highlight the International Monetary Fund’s control over Sri Lankan financial and economic affairs.
Public meeting in Chennai, India: Oppose the imperialist war drive! Fight for socialist program!
21 September 2016
The Indian government’s deepening involvement in the US preparations for war against China is occurring behind the backs of the Indian working class and poor.
War danger surges as India blames Pakistan for attack on Kashmir base
By V. Gnana, 19 September 2016
Seventeen Indian soldiers were killed yesterday morning in Indian-administered Kashmir when fighters assaulted a military base at Uri.
Japan to conduct South China Sea patrols with US
By Peter Symonds, 19 September 2016
Japan has no claims in the South China Sea but, like the US, is exploiting the territorial disputes to further its own interests in South East Asia.
Philippine foreign secretary says Manila will no longer be US “little brown brother”
By Joseph Santolan, 19 September 2016
As President Duterte downplays the South China Sea dispute with China, Washington is mounting a cynical “human rights” campaign to pressure the Philippines back into line.
UN chief praises pro-US Sri Lankan government
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 17 September 2016
Ban indirectly admitted that the UN did nothing to stop the wartime massacres in Sri Lanka, saying the world body had made “serious mistakes.”
Protesters continue to defy Indian state violence in Kashmir
By Kranti Kumara, 16 September 2016
India’s government is resorting to increasingly desperate measures to quell the popular protests that have convulsed the Kashmir Valley for the past ten weeks.
Death toll rises in Bangladesh factory fire
By Sarath Kumara, 16 September 2016
The Tampaco Foils disaster highlights the unsafe conditions and shoddy construction for which Bangladesh is now notorious.
Philippine president calls for US special forces to leave Mindanao
By Joseph Santolan, 15 September 2016
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s statements mark a further souring of ties between Manila and Washington under the new president.
American B-1 bombers send menacing warning to North Korea
By our reporter, 14 September 2016
The fly-past at South Korea’s Osan Air Base was also designed to send a message to Beijing to ramp up pressure on North Korea.
US and allies threaten North Korea with sanctions and military attack
By Peter Symonds, 12 September 2016
Another round of punitive measures over Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test will exacerbate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and heighten the danger of war.
North Korea carries out fifth nuclear test
By Ben McGrath and Peter Symonds, 10 September 2016
The test comes amid escalating geo-political tensions in Asia as the US seeks to reassert its dominance, heightening the danger of war.
Separatist candidates win seats in Hong Kong election
By Peter Symonds, 8 September 2016
The new “localist” parties represent layers of the Hong Kong ruling elite who regard Beijing’s dominance as an impediment to their business interests.
Obama cancels meeting with Philippine President Duterte
By Joseph Santolan, 6 September 2016
The real source of the tensions is Washington’s increasing displeasure over Duterte’s failure to play his assigned role in the US pivot to Asia.
Opposition plots regime change in Maldives
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 6 September 2016
The US and its allies are hostile to President Yameen, not because of his record of human rights abuses, but his ties to China.
Obama and the US secret war in Laos
By Peter Symonds, 6 September 2016
Obama is the first US president since the Vietnam War to visit Laos, the scene of one of US imperialism’s bloodiest crimes, even as his administration is preparing new wars on a far greater scale.
Philippine president declares “state of lawlessness” after bomb blast
By Joseph Santolan, 5 September 2016
While stating that this was “not martial law,” Duterte told the press that the military would be “running the country.”
Tens of millions strike against Indian government’s right-wing economic policies
By Deepal Jayasekera, 3 September 2016
The strike is an expression of mounting opposition in the working class internationally against assaults by governments and corporations on jobs and working conditions.
Rana Plaza disaster case postponed in Bangladesh
By Sarath Kumara, 3 September 2016
The court delay further underscores the indifference of all sections of the ruling elite for the plight of garment workers.
War clouds overhang Obama’s Asian trip
By Peter Symonds, 1 September 2016
Obama will attend international summits in China and Laos amid escalating geo-political rivalries, particularly between Washington and Beijing.
Indian workers need a socialist strategy to oppose pro-investor “reform,” austerity and war
By Deepal Jayesekera, 1 September 2016
For the unions and Stalinist Communist parties, Friday’s all-India strike is a means of defusing social opposition and diverting it behind the big business political establishment.
US war planes and battleships to start using Indian bases
By Deepal Jayasekera, 31 August 2016
With the signing of the basing agreement, India is being transformed into a “frontline” state in the US drive to isolate, encircle, and prepare to wage war on China.
Tens of millions of Indian workers to join one-day protest strike
By Sathish Simon and Kranti Kumara, 31 August 2016
The widespread support for the strike is an expression of mounting working-class anger and militancy and part of a global resurgence of class struggle.
US deepens military ties with Sri Lanka
By Vilani Peiris, 31 August 2016
Washington wants to use Sri Lanka as one of its bases in the event of war with China.
Taliban captures key Afghan district in fierce fighting
By Peter Symonds, 31 August 2016
The latest attack takes place against the backdrop of geo-political intrigue that is drawing the entire region, including Afghanistan, into US preparations for war against China.
North Korea tests submarine-launched missile
By Peter Symonds, 25 August 2016
The primary responsibility for escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula lies with the US and its military build-up throughout Asia aimed against China.
Nepal’s Maoist prime minister walks a tightrope between India and China
By W.A. Sunil, 24 August 2016
The political turmoil in the small landlocked country has been fuelled by rising US-driven geo-political tensions across Asia.
US-South Korean war games inflame Asian tensions
By Peter Symonds, 23 August 2016
While nominally aimed against North Korea, the exercises consolidate Washington’s military alliance with Seoul as it makes preparations for conflict with China.
Over 1,800 extra-judicial killings under new Philippine government
By Joseph Santolan, 23 August 2016
The official figures—at least double the media estimates—reveal that Duterte has launched a crusade of mass murder under the guise of a “war on drugs.”
North Korean official defects as US pressure on Pyongyang intensifies
By Ben McGrath, 23 August 2016
Massive job cuts planned in South Korean shipbuilding industry
By Ben McGrath, 22 August 2016
Workers are bearing the brunt of the industry’s financial instability, while the trade unions work to prevent a unified struggle.
Japan prepares to expand military role abroad
By Ben McGrath, 17 August 2016
So-called humanitarian missions, as in South Sudan, are being exploited to further Tokyo’s remilitarization agenda.
India: Kerala’s Stalinist-led government pursuing pro-business agenda
By Kranti Kumara, 17 August 2016
Kerala’s chief minister has appointed a neoliberal economist with close ties to the US financial elite and Federal Reserve as his top economic advisor.
Thai junta exploits bombings to clamp down on opposition
By Tom Peters, 16 August 2016
Thailand’s military regime has seized on last week’s horrific events to arrest political opponents.
Chinese-South Korean tensions rise over THAAD anti-missile deployment
By Ben McGrath, 15 August 2016
South Korea is lining up more explicitly with Washington and its war drive in the region, using North Korea’s nuclear tests as a pretext.
Chinese power plant explosion kills 21
By John Braddock, 15 August 2016
The incident at a coal-fired plant is the most recent of the industrial disasters that kill and maim thousands of workers and residents in China each year.
Sri Lankan government imposes IMF privatisation demands
By Saman Gunadasa, 13 August 2016
The IMF regards Sri Lanka’s state-owned enterprises as a burden on the economy as well as a potential source of profit for investors.
Anger mounts over government handling of floods in China
By John Braddock, 30 July 2016
With widespread media and internet reports accusing officials of negligence, Beijing is increasingly nervous about deepening social opposition.
Sri Lanka’s National Unity Government alliance extended
By Vilani Peiris, 29 July 2016
The deal is aimed at establishing a strong regime committed to Washington’s geo-political strategy and the imposition of the IMF’s austerity demands.
Military crackdown ahead of Thai constitutional referendum
By Tom Peters, 29 July 2016
The draft constitution empowers the military junta, which seized power in a 2014 coup, to continue its rule even if elections are held.
Philippine President Duterte delivers State of the Nation Address
By Joseph Santolan, 26 July 2016
Duterte’s speech was a repugnant mixture of proposals to assist big business in the exploitation of cheap labor and statements sanctioning the murder of alleged criminals.
US stokes divisions over South China Sea at ASEAN summit
By Peter Symonds, 25 July 2016
The Philippines and Vietnam are at loggerheads with Cambodia over a reference in the final communiqué to the recent UN-backed court ruling negating China’s maritime claims.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan take opposed stands on Hague court’s anti-China ruling
By Deepal Jayasekera, 22 July 2016
While India has lined up behind Washington in supporting the provocative ruling issued in The Hague, Pakistan has backed China’s rejection of it.
US and Chinese officials visit Sri Lanka, highlighting growing regional tensions
By K. Ratnayake, 22 July 2016
China has attempted to strengthen its relations with Sri Lanka since the US-inspired regime-change that ousted former President Mahinda Rajapakse.
US admiral holds “frank” talks in Beijing over South China Sea
By Peter Symonds, 20 July 2016
The Chinese regime is playing directly into Washington’s hands by resorting to its own reckless military measures that heighten the danger of conflict.
Foreign minister resigns as Maldives political crisis intensifies
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 18 July 2016
Bitter infighting, driven by the geo-strategic demands of the US and India, is deepening within the Maldives ruling elite.
Japan exploits violence in South Sudan to dispatch military
By Ben McGrath, 16 July 2016
While portrayed as a rescue mission, the deployment of additional Japanese troops to Africa marks an expansion of Japan’s role on the continent.
Indian troops kill dozens of protesters in Kashmir
By Kranti Kumara, 16 July 2016
The past week of mass protests in Kashmir has rattled India’s Hindu supremacist BJP government and laid bare Kashmiris’ deep disaffection from the Indian state.
Manila responds to South China Sea ruling
By Joseph Santolan, 15 July 2016
The Duterte government has reacted to the ruling with caution, seeking to placate Washington and Beijing, while the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines has escalated its attacks on China.
Amid Brexit shocks, Indian elite seeks “new opportunities”
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 14 July 2016
The Indian government is attempting to use Britain’s exit from the EU to pursue its own economic and strategic interests.
Hague court decision sets stage for US confrontation with China
By Peter Symonds, 13 July 2016
Yesterday’s tribunal ruling branding China’s actions in the South China Sea as “illegal” provides another pretext for the US to ramp up its military expansion in Asia.
Right-wing ruling coalition wins Japan’s upper house election
By Ben McGrath, 13 July 2016
The LDP’s victory gives Prime Minister Shinzo Abe the necessary numbers to revise the Japanese constitution in line with his push for re-militarization.
Hague court decides South China Sea case today
By Joseph Santolan, 12 July 2016
Regardless of the details of today’s tribunal decision, Washington will exploit the ruling to escalate its war drive against China.
Opposition party in South Korea hit by corruption probe
By Ben McGrath, 12 July 2016
The investigation into the People’s Party is a politically-motivated attack by President Park Geun-hye’s administration.
Halt the attacks on living conditions! Fight for socialist policies!
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 12 July 2016
The mounting strikes and protests in Sri Lanka can only be advanced through a break from the entire ruling class and the fight for a unified international and socialist movement of the working class.
UN court to deliver decision on South China Sea disputes
By Peter Symonds, 11 July 2016
With a ruling imminent, the US has cranked up its propaganda apparatus and military activity in the South China Sea, setting the stage for a dangerous confrontation with China.
US and South Korea agree on THAAD anti-missile system
By Ben McGrath, 11 July 2016
The installation will likely inflame tensions while continuing to stoke an arms race in East Asia.
Philippine police and vigilantes kill 72 during first week of Duterte government
By Joseph Santolan, 9 July 2016
Duterte is pursuing his fascistic agenda, including to reinstate the death penalty and to reduce the minimum age of criminal accountability as low as nine years.
Widespread destruction in China following floods
By Ben McGrath, 9 July 2016
At least 186 people have been killed, dozens remain missing and 32 million people have been affected overall.
Chinese Walmart workers engage in wildcat strikes
By Linda Tenenbaum, 8 July 2016
The strike has spread rapidly, with Walmart workers determined to reach out to their national and international co-workers.
India and Iran approve Chabahar corridor, amid heightening tensions in South and Central Asia
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 7 July 2016
To access energy resources and strike a strategic blow against China and Pakistan, India plans to build a transport corridor via Iran to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Brexit to intensify Sri Lankan economic crisis
By Saman Gunadasa, 6 July 2016
The British vote threatens to exacerbate Sri Lanka’s balance of payments crisis and deepen the widespread discontent over the government’s austerity measures.
Chinese military drills ahead of South China Sea court ruling
By Peter Symonds, 6 July 2016
The military exercises are meant as a warning to the US, which has deliberately inflamed territorial disputes in the sea over the past six years.
US attempt to hustle India into Nuclear Suppliers Group stalls
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 5 July 2016
US officials have vowed to work with India to secure its entry into the NSG, while joining India in suggesting that Beijing was responsible for its rebuff.
Dhaka hostage crisis ends in a violent military assault
By Deepal Jayasekera, 4 July 2016
Whoever the perpetrators of Dhaka hostage-taking, this type of terrorism has been fomented by the US-led wars in the Middle East.
Uncertainty in Japan following Brexit vote
By Ben McGrath, 4 July 2016
Japanese vice foreign minister Sugiyama held high-level talks in Washington, London and Brussels, stressing the need for political, economic and security coordination.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
2 July 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Duterte takes office as president of the Philippines
By Joseph Santolan, 1 July 2016
Duterte’s presidency represents a move by the Philippine ruling class to resolve the political crises in the country through dictatorial forms of rule.
Russian president seeks closer economic and strategic ties in Beijing
By Peter Symonds, 28 June 2016
The two countries are being driven closer together by fears of the growing danger of war posed by the United States.
Indian Stalinists try to paper over deep rift over tie-up with Congress Party
By Deepal Jayasekera, 28 June 2016
The CPM leadership has effectively given its West Bengal unit the green light to continue its alliance with the big business Congress Party.
Taiwanese airline cabin crews strike
By Ben McGrath, 27 June 2016
The walk-out highlights the growing anger more broadly throughout the Taiwanese working class.
Indonesian naval vessels clash with Chinese fishing boats
By John Roberts, 24 June 2016
Indonesia’s aggressive fisheries enforcement regime has been encouraged by Washington as it prepares to step up military and diplomatic pressure on China.
Sri Lankan plantation workers demand higher wages
By our correspondents, 24 June 2016
Plantation workers from Hatton and Maskeliya in the central hills district spoke with WSWS reporters about their worsening working and living conditions.
South Asian ruling elites rattled by Brexit campaign
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 23 June 2016
Commentators have generally backed the “Remain” campaign and expressed dismay about the damaging economic consequences of a British exit from the EU.
Two US aircraft carriers in war games in western Pacific
By Peter Symonds, 21 June 2016
The show of force is a sign that the US intends to ramp up its confrontation with China following an imminent ruling on the Philippine legal challenge to Beijing’s maritime claims.
Opposition grows to US military bases on Okinawa
By Ben McGrath, 20 June 2016
While local politicians attempt to keep the protests limited in scale and scope, the widespread anger is bound up with opposition to Japanese remilitarization.
Abe sets date for Japan’s upper house election
By Ben McGrath, 18 June 2016
The Abe government’s push for remilitarization is driving political tensions in Japan.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
18 June 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Sri Lanka: JVP calls for state of emergency in response to flood disaster
By Vilani Peiris, 17 June 2016
The JVP’s proposal shows its readiness to strengthen the capitalist state apparatus against rising social unrest.
US-China tensions rise amid major naval exercises
By Peter Symonds, 16 June 2016
The Malabar war games involving the US, Japanese and Indian navies are “complex, high-end, war-fighting exercises” aimed against China.
Duterte government opens peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines
By Joseph Santolan, 15 June 2016
As government and party leaders meet to negotiate in Oslo, CPP head Joma Sison is calling for a “coalition government” with the fascistic Duterte regime.
Hurtling toward the precipice of war, Modi cements Indo-US alliance
By Keith Jones, 10 June 2016
The alliance between the Indian bourgeoisie and US imperialism represents a sea change in world geopolitics, with explosive implications for inter-state relations across Asia and the world.
Sri Lankan plantation unions conspire with government and employers
By Shree Haran, 10 June 2016
The Tamil Progressive Alliance and other estate unions have agreed to negotiate with the employers to impose a major attack on the wages, jobs and social rights of plantation workers.
US and Chinese military aircraft in second close encounter in East Asia
By Peter Symonds, 9 June 2016
The incident took place amid Washington’s increasingly aggressive stance toward Beijing over maritime disputes in the East China and South China Seas.
Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines supports state burial for Ferdinand Marcos
By Joseph Santolan, 8 June 2016
The CPP is entering an alliance with incoming President Rodrigo Duterte and, in doing so, its leader Joma Sison has endorsed the state burial of the dictator Marcos.
Sri Lankan armoury explosion forces thousands to flee
By W. A. Sunil, 7 June 2016
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the highly-populated villages around the Salawa military complex, near the capital, Colombo.
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