Seoul, South Korea — South Korea's conservative government is being forced to drop its hard-line stance against North Korea to avoid possible collision with U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, who has vowed to push for dialogue-based engagement with the nuclear-armed country.

Toronto, ON, Canada — Pakistan is in financial trouble, with its foreign reserves nearly depleted for the second time in a decade. Its problems are related to its continuous military buildup in an effort to keep up with India. The IMF can help, but will demand a cut in defense spending.

Hangzhou, China — Relations between China and Taiwan appear to be moving toward a honeymoon period after the two governments signed a package of agreements last week in Taipei. Public opinion within Taiwan does not seem to support this passion, however, and to the contrary, seems to be getting cooler.

Tokyo, Japan — U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is going to need cooperation from U.S. allies to deal with the crises he has inherited. Japanese leaders, who have placed the Japan-U.S. relationship at the center of their foreign policy, anticipate greater U.S. pressure for financial help and troop deployment.

London, England — Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck – a handsome, articulate, Oxford-educated, 28-year-old bachelor – was crowned Bhutan’s fifth king last Thursday. The coronation represents a rapid but controlled political and economic transformation taking place in this remarkable Himalayan kingdom.

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Barack Obama beat the odds this week to become the first black U.S. president. On Jan. 20, the 47-year-old Illinois senator will become the most powerful chief executive in the world. The consequences for the world of decisions the Obama administration will make are both promising and frightening.

Seoul, South Korea — North Korea released photos Wednesday showing its leader Kim Jong Il visiting military bases, in an apparent attempt to curb suspicion that he is in poor health. Uncertainty has raised many questions. If North Korea were to collapse, would China support South Korea stepping in to fill the vacuum?

Daly City, CA, United States — U.S. president-elect Barack Obama belongs to the U.S. ruling elite, despite his African-American heritage. He went to the finest schools, where future global leaders are educated. His values, lifestyle, and worldview are acceptable to the ruling class. Obama is not a leftist leader.

Taipei, Taiwan — Historical talks in Taipei between mainland China and Taiwan have yielded a series of agreements expected to ease tensions, increase contacts and boost Taiwan’s economy. But they have also stirred protests from Taiwan’s anti-China political opposition.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, despite the unpredictable war and global financial crisis threatening the economy, remains popular among the Sinhalese majority, while Tamils remain alienated. The country needs leadership that nurtures people as a whole and not just the ethnic majority.

Tokyo, Japan — The Dalai Lama has acknowledged that his conciliatory approach toward Beijing, aimed at obtaining greater autonomy for Tibet under Chinese rule, has failed. He has called a meeting of Tibetans in exile to discuss a future strategy for dealing with China, with activists seeking a more radical approach.

Tokyo, Japan — If Japan is to fulfill its aspiration to join the world’s most powerful nations as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, it needs a long-term and comprehensive national strategy. However, the Japanese people, including the country’s top leaders, show an acute lack of national consciousness.

Kolkata, India — In the next few hours the U.S. presidential race will be over and either Barrack Obama or John McCain will be president of the world’s most powerful nation. With Obama well ahead in the polls, a nervous India is worried whether the next U.S. president will continue George W. Bush’s tilt toward India.

Seoul, South Korea — South Koreans are waiting for the outcome of the U.S. presidential election with mixed emotions – hoping for changes but wary about new disputes, especially with Democratic Senator Barack Obama expected to win.

Manipal, India — In 2004, this columnist rooted for George W. Bush for the U.S. presidency. A Bush defeat in the first post- 9/11 election would have given oxygen to al-Qaida fanatics. But if Barack Obama is elected, support will diminish for attacking a country that has elected a president with a Kenyan Muslim father.

Ningbo, China — The ongoing U.S. election campaign has attracted considerable attention in China. The new U.S. president to be elected next week will undoubtedly make his mark on his country and the world. The Chinese are keen to discover whether he will view China as a “competitor” or a “stakeholder.”

Manipal, India — Weeks after Western financial institutions cleaned out clients around the world, French President Nicholas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered Asia a simple prescription: Trust us and follow our lead. But Asian governments are unlikely to pour their capital into the World Bank and IMF.

Seoul, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is still nowhere to be seen, and there are signs of looming social unrest in the isolated country. South Korea’s intelligence agency has learned that Kim has been taken back to hospital and a French neurosurgeon has been brought to Pyongyang to treat him.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — The Sri Lankan army’s battle for the last few kilometers to Kilinochchi, the LTTE’s center, has been going on for nearly a month. As the war prolongs and international pressure for a political solution mounts, the government has claimed there is no ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. This denial is unwise.

Daly City, CA, United States — During the Great Depression a number of ordinary Americans initiated campaigns to restore confidence in the economy. One firm declared a “War against Depression.” Today a new such war is needed, with the grassroots at the forefront. Politicians and big business do not have a monopoly on bright ideas.

Beijing, China — Representatives of mainland China are scheduled to meet their counterparts from Taiwan in Taipei next week for talks aimed at facilitating exchanges between the two sides. But Taiwan’s capital has been rocked by protests from pro-independence groups that oppose closer ties with Beijing.

Bangkok, Thailand — Burma is on the brink of fresh civil strife as many of the young generation have voiced dissatisfaction with nonviolence. Some have called for a U.S. military invasion or an armed struggle to overthrow the deep-rooted stratocracy.

Tokyo, Japan — Japan has agreed to boost economic and security cooperation with India, but has rejected a suggestion of nuclear energy cooperation. Although both are interested in developing nuclear energy, Japan is unlikely to agree to a nuclear deal as long as India refuses to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Ningbo, China — China and Russia held a border-marking ceremony last week on an island at the juncture of two rivers that separate northeast China from Siberia. This quiet event marks a significant change in the relationship between the two countries, as well as a shift in Chinese strategic thinking about its own security.

Manila, Philippines — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to give the opening address at the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila next week. But advocates for migrant workers’ rights have appealed to Ban to boycott the forum, which they say is a venue for governments to plan the exploitation of workers.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — A political volcano is set to erupt in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu as the Sri Lankan army approaches the LTTE stronghold of Kilinochchi. The humanitarian crisis across the border is sparking political and emotional agitation in Tamil Nadu, which may even threaten India’s central government.

New York, NY, United States — China’s leaders have become better educated. Although Mao Zedong was an “intellectual” by the standard of his time, China’s early leaders were mainly revolutionaries. Third-generation leaders were technocrats, but the academic credentials of China’s current leaders are among the highest in the world.

Beijing, China — China’s Academy of Sciences has issued a report that ranks 45 nations in terms of their overall “health,” taking into account their governments, economies and social systems. China comes in at 13th place, but ranks first in “national responsibility.” China ranks the United States last in that category.

Moscow, Russia — Chairman Mao Zedong can finally rest easy in his grave. His country has now become the dominant partner in the Sino-Russian relationship, a complete reversal from the past. The Russian propensity to back China has not been reciprocated, even in Russia’s hour of need in the U.N. Security Council.

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Once again, Thailand finds itself in an embarrassing spat with a “friendly neighboring country.” This time it is Cambodia, regarding a 1,000-year-old temple ruin located on the Thai-Khmer border. Soldiers fired across the border on Wednesday, leaving two Cambodians dead and 10 Thais captured.

Kolkata, India — In one fell swoop, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has turned India’s decades-old U.S. policy on its head with the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal. What were India’s alternatives? Could gas from Iran through Pakistan have taken care of India’s energy needs? Or was the nuclear deal the only real choice?

Beijing, China — Compared to the land it controlled during the Qing Dynasty that ended in 1912, China has shrunk. Among the lost lands was a tiny island in the middle of a river on China’s northern border with Russia. On Tuesday, half of the island was officially returned to China; but the Chinese people are not all thrilled.

Seoul, South Korea — North Korea watchers in Seoul were on high alert last Friday night as Pyongyang's state broadcaster announced it would air an important message from leader Kim Jong Il in an hour. However, the message failed to put to rest suspicions that Kim is seriously ill.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated the need for a political solution to the current ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. This is generally understood to indicate a willingness to negotiate. However, the government seems to think it can come up with such a solution without negotiating with the LTTE.

Toronto, ON, Canada — The world’s geopolitical map changed when U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972. Now China is an economic and military power that can threaten the United States. India is 10 to 15 years behind in obtaining economic, military and nuclear assistance, but is expected to quickly bridge that gap.

Manipal, India — The Taliban need a year to recoup and replenish in Afghanistan, and the only way they can get this respite is to tempt NATO into a "ceasefire." This would be a huge mistake. NATO must give the Pakistan army an ultimatum – either it takes out the Taliban within its territory, or NATO will.

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Thai veteran politician and close friend of Burmese military generals, had hardly left his position as deputy prime minister Tuesday before he was reported recommending a military coup to resolve Thailand’s current anti-government political turmoil.

Taipei, Taiwan — The Republic of China (Taiwan) celebrates its 97th birthday on Oct. 10. A look back at its nearly 100-year history reveals many sufferings due to the chaos of war on the mainland. With these experiences in mind, the Taiwanese cherish even more the fruits of development that have been reaped in Taiwan.

Beijing, China — Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, during his official visit to the United Nations last month, also gave an interview to CNN that involved questions on sensitive issues. Although the complete transcript is freely available in English on the Internet, its coverage in China remains largely restricted.

Ningbo, China — U.S. President George W. Bush signed the long-expected nuclear deal with India into law on Wednesday. It is a bold decision for Bush to ignore international regimes by allowing India to flout the NPT. It sets a precedent that other would-be nuclear states may be all too ready to follow.

Manila, Philippines — Fishermen and residents of Sibonga town in the Philippines staged a protest Monday against the offshore mining activity of NorAsia Energy Ltd., an Australian oil and gas exploration firm. They have appealed to the Australian prime minister to intervene and stop the exploration.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — A lasting political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict needs the willing consent of its ethnic minorities and the position that the country belongs to all its citizens. A solution based on military victory and Sinhalese supremacy can only lead to neverending war.

Daly City, CA, United States — Several infants have died and thousands were hospitalized in China after drinking milk products contaminated with melamine. On the other side of the world, several financial institutions have filed for bankruptcy. Is there a direct link between the China milk scandal and the Wall Street crash?

Nanjing, China — Political circles in the southwestern Chinese province of Hunan have been engaged in a discussion on “returning rights to the people,” as part of a current political campaign to “liberate people’s thinking.” The intention is reform of the political system, for which the time seems to be right.

Manipal, India — Pakistan's army chief, Parvez Ashfaq Kiyani, prefers to dial the number of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani rather than that of the newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari, now that Zardari has begun saying it is time to put aside jihad and concentrate on economic growth.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — The United Nations was formed after World War II in the hope that there would never be conflict again. However the United Nations, despite its principles of justice and welfare for humanity, has not been able to prevent any wars to date. Conflicts in the world over the past 50 years are testimony to that.

Ningbo, China — The general debate at the 63rd U.N. General Assembly concluded this week in New York. Despite growing criticism over its inability to solve global problems, the United Nations is still important as the only place where the nations of the world are seeking common solutions to global issues.

Daly City, CA, United States — Many Southeast Asians are intently monitoring the presidential elections in the United States, which maintains a solid influence in the region. Both U.S. presidential candidates – John McCain and Barack Obama – have Asian ties and are popular in the region.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — The Sri Lankan government has asked international NGOs to vacate LTTE-controlled areas for fear they are supporting the rebels. NGOs will be allowed to travel with relief convoys and hand supplies over to government agents, but not to oversee food distribution. This opens the process to abuse.

Tokyo, Japan — Last week was supposed to see Japan host the first trilateral Japan-China-South Korea summit, but it was postponed indefinitely with the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. With economic, security and territorial issues on the table, analysts predict a bumpy relationship ahead.