Koji Kondo’s Super Mario Bros. Soundtrack by Andrew Schartmann [Book Review]

Koji Kondo’s Super Mario Bros. Soundtrack by Andrew Schartmann [Book Review]

The theme song to Level 1-1 in Super Mario Brothers for the Nintendo Family Computer, known as the Nintendo Entertainment System or the NES in the West may be the most widely-known piece of music by a Japanese composer. Humming…

Don’t Overdo the Pessimism on Hong Kong Reforms [The Diplomat]

Outside commentary on Hong Kong, and its unique political structure, has grown since the National People’s Congress released their decision on the city’s upcoming election process. Reaction was immediately negative: the major sticking point was that a “Nominating Committee” would…

Strangers Across the Border: Indian Encounters in Boomtown China by Reshma Patil [Book Review]

Strangers Across the Border: Indian Encounters in Boomtown China by Reshma Patil [Book Review]

Few things seem to cut off communication more than the virtual line that separates two countries; never more so, perhaps, than in the relationship between India and China,arguably the two most important countries in Asia. Despite their close proximity, or perhaps due to…

The tussle for Hong Kong [Gateway House]

Hong Kong, and its movement towards democratic elections, made headlines around the world this week with the recent decision by the National People’s Congress in Beijing concerning the nomination process for elections. The decision was light on details, but essentially…

A better package for Africa [Gateway House]

With most media attention on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s trip to New Delhi a few weeks ago, a visit by another foreign minister— Mr. Sam Kutesa of Uganda—might have flown under the radar. During his visit, Kutesa proposed several…

A better partner: Indonesia? [Gateway House]

The official results have been declared, and Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, the populist Governor of Jakarta, has won a close victory in the Indonesian presidential election. There are several practical economic reasons to be interested in this election’s outcome. Indonesia is…

HK does have a ‘foreign policy’ [China Daily]

In previous columns, I have used the Snowden case to illustrate specific elements of Hong Kong’s autonomy under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.  Snowden’s case implies one large element of Hong Kong’s autonomy that is more subtle, yet widespread:…

Judicial independence key to autonomy [China Daily]

If one person had the biggest impact on the news this year, it was Edward Snowden, former Central Intelligence Agency employee and former National Security Agency contractor. With Snowden again making the headlines in the past few weeks, perhaps it…

HK’s power over its currency similar to that of states [China Daily]

Some of the expressions of Hong Kong’s autonomy are large and politically contentious — immigration and economic regulation come to mind. However, other expressions of autonomy can be seen in our day-to-day lives. One clear symbol can be found in…

Border control highlights HK autonomy [China Daily]

Any future discussion of “One Country, Two Systems” will undoubtedly include the NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden’s escape to Hong Kong earlier this summer. There were many discussions at the time asking how the government would handle Snowden, but some circles…