In Malaysia, victims of trafficking are often treated like criminals.
Analysts claim human trafficking is rife on every continent on the globe; present in almost every country and, according to the recent annual report of the US State Department on Trafficking in Persons (TIP), the situation in Malaysia paints a grim picture.
"Anti-Trafficking Strategies: Putting the Victim First"
Imparting war-fighting skills to Syrian insurgents might backfire.
Training and supporting insurgents against one’s adversaries has been a cost effective strategy since the late 20th century, when states co-opted their adversaries’ enemies as proxy forces, avoiding the monetary cost of deploying their own soldiers and the political cost of casualties.
"The Enemy of My Enemy: Perils of Training Syrian Rebels"
Ethnic tensions and xenophobia follow Burmese refugees across borders.
Despite independence in 1948, Burma has been plagued by problems since the military junta took state control in 1962. Power struggles, conflict, occupation, resource extraction and ethnic tensions have all incited Burma’s displacement issue. While exact numbers are unknown, estimates are in the region of 1 million internally displaced and 1 million fleeing to neighboring countries.
"Cutting Borders: Ethnic Tensions and Burmese Refugees"
Increased insurgency in Sabah would present the Filipino government with the difficult choice of participating militarily in an election year, or doing nothing and risking the ire of Malaysia.
"Malaysia's Sabah: A Rich Prize in an Old Conflict"
As Europe continues to seek a solution to its ongoing financial crisis, it could benefit from understanding Asia’s definitive 1997/98 economic crisis, in particular the successful initiatives by Malaysia to counter the crisis.
"In Demand: Lessons For Europe From the Asian Financial Crisis"