The Korea Herald

Revolution remembered

Oct 14, 2011

Aside from traditional holidays, this is one of the few commemorations shared on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. The 100th anniversary is a suitable occasion to pay tribute to the forefathers of Chinese republicanism, and reflect on the nation’s pursuit of and march toward modernity, no matter whi
Don’t allow defense budget to fall for 10 years

Oct 14, 2011

Japan’s national security has been deteriorating alarmingly. Now is the time to reverse the continuing decline in the nation’s defense budget.The Defense Ministry is seeking 4.69 trillion yen ($61.2 billion) in its budget demand for fiscal 2012, up 0.6 percent from the defense budget a year earlier.
[Shashi Tharoor] India’s civilian nuclear program

Oct 14, 2011

NEW DELHI ― When the Commonwealth heads of government meet in Australia later this month, one prominent leader is almost certain to be conspicuously absent: India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. India is a strong backer of the association of former British colonies (and some new entrants without th
U.N. hypocrisy exposed in case of murdered Kurd

Oct 13, 2011

Remind me, again, why we care about what the United Nations thinks? That question isn’t prompted by the recent exertions of the Palestinians to achieve the facsimile of independence by asking the U.N. to tell them they are independent. Palestinians deserve actual independence, as opposed to symbolic
[Javier Solana] UNSC: Failing the Syria test

Oct 13, 2011

MADRID ― On Oct. 2 in Istanbul, Syria’s disparate opposition movements gave the go-ahead for the formation of a “Syrian National Council.” This is the most important step yet taken by the fragmented forces that have been trying since May to lead a peaceful uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’
Distracted? Don’t blame Steve Jobs

Oct 13, 2011

I am making a chicken for dinner. But it is taking a long time to roast, and as I open the door to poke at it, I wonder if something is wrong.Also, we need oven cleaner, I tell my husband, who is sitting at the table typing on one of his many gadget things. Laundry detergent too, he says, not lookin
Science and religion: A false divide in U.S.

Oct 13, 2011

Rick Perry has generated a lot of ink lately ― for trumpeting his religious faith and for his attacks on evolution and global warming. I have no magic insight into the mind of the candidate jockeying for the GOP nomination, and I’m not a member of the religious right. But, as a sociologist studying
[Fernando Henrique Cardoso] Lessons European Union needs to learn from Brazil

Oct 13, 2011

SAO PAULO ― For those of us in developing countries who over the years became reluctant experts on the subject of financial crises, the latest wave of turmoil in the global financial system is, regrettably, not a surprise. In large part, the prescriptions and recommendations that so-called experts m
[David Ignatius] The quiet U.S. diplomat in Syria

Oct 12, 2011

WASHINGTON ― If you’re wondering what diplomats can do in an era of pulverizing military force and instantaneous communications, consider the case of Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador to Syria. He has been meeting with the Syrian opposition around the country, risking his neck ― and in the process in
An attempt to show off Chicago’s musical history

Oct 12, 2011

When it comes to great American music, the Second City might as well be called the Seventh City.Chicago has a thriving music scene with scores of jazz, blues, folk and rock clubs. But Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Austin, Detroit, and even Kansas City, Mo., seem to have embraced their music herit
Judge’s murder shows Rio’s ‘problem of the decade’

Oct 12, 2011

Even in a city as murderous as Rio de Janeiro, the killing of Judge Patricia Acioli on Aug. 12 was a shock. According to police she was ambushed by two motorbikes and at least one car as she returned to her condominium that morning, and killed in a hail of 21 bullets. She left behind three children.
Helping Egypt move toward democracy, maket economy

Oct 12, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Egypt’s revolution toppled a dictator in February, but the country’s future as a stable, functioning democracy remains uncertain. The West is, of course, limited in its ability to shape the transition process. Nonetheless, the potential for constructive influence remains considera
[Mikhail Gorbachev] Seize the moment to bid farewell to nuclear arms

Oct 12, 2011

MOSCOW ― Twenty-five years ago this month, I sat across from Ronald Reagan in Reykjavik, Iceland, to negotiate a deal that would have reduced, and could have ultimately eliminated by 2000, the fearsome arsenals of nuclear weapons held by the United States and the Soviet Union.For all our differences
[Trudy Rubin] Pakistan must choose: Halt terror, or pay the price

Oct 11, 2011

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. U.S. troops are starting to leave. And NATO is supposed to turn over security responsibility to Afghans by the end of 2014 ― although the Afghan army is far from ready to counter Taliban violence.Yet the most potent threat to Afghanista
[Daniel Fiedler] Forgiveness, regret and justice

Oct 11, 2011

The culture of South Korea places a high value on honor, or face. When someone expresses regret or asks forgiveness they are seen as repudiating their inappropriate behavior and choosing proper conduct. This choice to behave in a proper manner reduces their dishonor and saves face. Admission of wron