Articles written by Rich Ward

The ruling junta's preparations for the planned elections continue apace, with key figures resigning from their military posts in order to run for office.

May 3, 2010 - Rich Ward

ASEAN is an economic and political organisation comprising ten member states located in South-East Asia, but how does it work and how effective is it really?

Mar 3, 2010 - Rich Ward

Invented in the years following the Korean War, Juche was designed to provide North Korea with an ideological underpinning differentiating it from its Socialist allies.

Feb 18, 2010 - Rich Ward

Burma's military has ruled with an 'iron fist' since overthrowing the elected government following a coup d'état in 1962, although elections are promised for 2010.

Feb 16, 2010 - Rich Ward

Under the leadership of Shiro Ishii the Japanese carried out experiments on human guinea pigs - known as marutas - from 1933 until the end of the Second World War.

Feb 4, 2010 - Rich Ward

Ailing despot Suharto stepped down in 1998 when facing rising social unrest ending years of autocratic rule, but has democracy really taken root in Indonesia since then?

Jan 22, 2010 - Rich Ward

Adopting a new, tough stance, North Korea has called for the suspension of all sanctions before they return to the negotiating table at the stalled six-party talks.

Jan 20, 2010 - Rich Ward

Could closer cooperation with neighbouring Malaysia and an investment programme aimed at raising income help quell the Muslim insurgency in Thailand's southern regions?

Jan 16, 2010 - Rich Ward

Andal Ampatuan Jr., the man charged with masterminding the Philippines' bloodiest political attack has appeared in court for the first time amid heavy security.

Dec 20, 2009 - Rich Ward

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has signed military contracts worth billions of dollars during a visit to Moscow; the two countries also agree to strengthen economic ties.

Dec 16, 2009 - Rich Ward

The newly-elected DPJ led by Yukio Hatoyama is facing mounting pressure on a range of key issues and faces loss of Upper House majority if the SDP leaves the coalition.

Dec 15, 2009 - Rich Ward

Between 1977 and 1983 North Korea abducted Japanese citizens from Japan and Europe and doubts over the whereabouts of the victims still plague relations between them.

Dec 7, 2009 - Rich Ward

In the early part of the Korean War the South Korean military and police executed at least 5,000 civilians they feared would help the invading North Korean army.

Dec 2, 2009 - Rich Ward

As tensions remain high on the Korean peninsula, another year of poor harvests means many North Koreans will endure shortages this winter, raising the spectre of famine.

Nov 27, 2009 - Rich Ward

The American President directly challenged Burmese Premier Thein Sein to release the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during an ASEAN meeting in Singapore.

Nov 22, 2009 - Rich Ward

At the end of the Cold War and following the rejection of its application to join the EC, Turkey turned towards Central Asia in search of a new direction.

Nov 15, 2009 - Rich Ward

By the mid-1990's North Korea was on the brink of collapse, unable to feed his starving population Kim Jong-il announced a new 'army first' policy prioritising supplies.

Nov 10, 2009 - Rich Ward

North Korea was a country in disarray during the 1990s, shorn of Soviet support the Pyongyang regime struggled to feed its population.

Nov 10, 2009 - Rich Ward

What were the main reasons for the involvement of the three external protagonists: the USA (under the auspices of the UN) the USSR and China in the Korean War?

Oct 20, 2009 - Rich Ward

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a multilateral international financial organisation, was established May 29, 1990.

Oct 4, 2009 - Rich Ward