South Asia

Sri Lanka opposition demand war crimes probe

The main opposition party in Sri Lanka is demanding the government conduct an investigation into alleged crimes carried out in the long war against the Tamil Tigers.

Central Asia

France to extradite ex-Kazakh energy minsiter

France agreed to exradite the ex-Kazakh energy minister to Russia on corruption charges—despite fears that he will be turned over to Kazakhstan, to face torture.

Central Asia

Han-Uighur solidarity amid Xinjiang violence

As another deadly clash is reported from Xinjiang, Shanghai journalist Yang Haipeng has started donning a Uighur skullcap at security checkpoints as a gesture of solidarity. 

Central Asia

Uighurs recall independent East Turkestan

In a Capitol Hill ceremony, Uighur exile leaders commemorated the founding of an independent East Turkestan Republic on Nov. 12 in both 1933 and 1944.

Central Asia

Asia’s secret nuclear arms race

For all the hoopla about North Korea, a far more significant threat on the Asian continent is getting virtually no coverage: the nuclear arms race between China and India.

South Asia

Nepalese Maoists betray Indian Maoists

Nepalese Maoist leader Prachanda sent a condolence letter to Sonia Gandhi over the attack by Maoist Naxalite guerillas in which 27 were killed, including a brutal paramilitary chief.

Central Asia

China-India border face-off amid Tibet unrest

India is protesting what it calls an incursion by some 30 Chinese troops from across the Line of Control in the Himalayas, while Tibetans charge stepped up repression.

Iran

Iran-China pipeline route via restive regions

A new pipeline that would link Iran to China via Pakistan, bypassing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, would pass through the insurgent regions of Baluchistan, Kashmir and Xinjiang.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan: 20,000 troops to remain?

Gen. John R. Allen, outgoing US commander in Afghanistan, submitted military options to the Pentagon that would keep 6,000 to 20,000 troops in the country after 2014.

Central Asia

China: Han-Tibetan solidarity emerging

Human rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong, who defends Chinese peasants struggling to keep their lands, proclaims his support for the Tibetans and calls for Han solidarity with their cause.