Ma Ying-jeou’s honeymoon with the Chinese government may be over already, some critics say, even before he takes up his post as Taiwan’s leader on May 20, due to his appointment of pan-green supporter Lai Shin-yuan. This analysis may not be correct, however.

South Korea is in a dilemma over how to deal with a looming humanitarian plight in North Korea stemming from a serious food shortage. President Lee Myung-bak has vowed not to give any food aid without an official request from Pyongyang, but is under pressure to change that stance.

The Supreme Court of India has been locked in battles with the Indian legislature off and on throughout its history. Now the two have locked horns over the transparency of the court itself and that of its judges. It seems that the court as an institution prefers a certain degree of secrecy.

As the Communist Party Nepal-Maoists are set to lead the new Parliament in writing a new Constitution for this Himalayan nation, they won’t stop there -- they want to rewrite the philosophy of communism itself.

Dmitry Medvedev, inaugurated May 7 as Russia’s new president, was chosen by former President Vladimir Putin. The very next day Putin was installed as prime minister. Many analysts conclude that Medvedev will adhere faithfully to Putin’s policies, but this could be only half right.

Burma once conjured up images of a land of plenty, until the junta made it morph into a land of the poorest of the poor. Cyclone Nargis laid bare to the world the intensity of misery that hapless Burmese have to endure. The regime wallows in power, but the world should help loosen its iron grip.

Chinese President Hu Jintao's five-day visit to Japan could be the beginning of a more future-oriented approach in Sino-Japanese relations. Despite the friendly atmosphere the visit brought few substantial achievements, however, and most Japanese analysts are keeping their expectations “realistic.”

Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar last weekend, devastated several regions and claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people. The situation on the ground is heartbreaking. People are expressing anger over the ineptitude of the junta to minimize the damage.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is making a heroic effort to be charming during his five-day visit to Japan. On Thursday, after a speech to students at Waseda University, he displayed his ping-pong skills. The day before, he offered the loan of a pair of pandas to a Tokyo zoo.

It is widely understood that the May 6 talks between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama took place under pressure from the international community. Amazingly, the CCP still claims the door is open for dialogue while continuing to slander and demonize the Dalai Lama.