Anthony Kuhn http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4458700&ft=1&f=4458700 International Correspondent Anthony Kuhn is currently based in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he opened NPR's first bureau in that country in 2010, covering Southeast Asia. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Anthony Kuhn http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4458700&ft=1&f=4458700 After Nearly 50 Years, Burmese Leader Comes To Washington It's been a while since the last visit by a head of state from Myanmar. The last time was 47 years ago, when the country was still known as Burma. As President Thein Sein arrives at the White House Monday, some will hail him as a reformer who set his country on the path to democracy. Others may protest his arrival, as excessive recognition for a head of state that has presided over continuing human rights abuses. Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458139/after-nearly-50-years-burmese-leader-comes-to-washington?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458139/after-nearly-50-years-burmese-leader-comes-to-washington?ft=1&f=4458700 It's been a while since the last visit by a head of state from Myanmar. The last time was 47 years ago, when the country was still known as Burma. As President Thein Sein arrives at the White House Monday, some will hail him as a reformer who set his country on the path to democracy. Others may protest his arrival, as excessive recognition for a head of state that has presided over continuing human rights abuses.

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]]> Are Buddhist Monks Involved In Myanmar's Violence? When tightly controlled societies open up, long-suppressed sectarian tensions can flare. That's been happening in Myanmar. And the twist is that Buddhist monks, widely viewed as pacifists, are part of this rising Buddhist nationalism. Fri, 17 May 2013 03:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/17/182904712/Are-Buddhist-Monks-Involved-In-Myanmars-Violence?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/17/182904712/Are-Buddhist-Monks-Involved-In-Myanmars-Violence?ft=1&f=4458700 When tightly controlled societies open up, long-suppressed sectarian tensions can flare. That's been happening in Myanmar. And the twist is that Buddhist monks, widely viewed as pacifists, are part of this rising Buddhist nationalism.

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]]> The Threat To Indonesia's Biodiversity, Foretold In The 1800s British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace warned well over a century ago about the risks to diverse forms of life in places like Indonesia. His words are more compelling today than when he wrote them. Sun, 05 May 2013 17:33:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/05/180290318/the-threat-to-indonesias-biodiversity-foretold-in-the-1800s?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/05/180290318/the-threat-to-indonesias-biodiversity-foretold-in-the-1800s?ft=1&f=4458700 British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace warned well over a century ago about the risks to diverse forms of life in places like Indonesia. His words are more compelling today than when he wrote them.

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]]> He Helped Discover Evolution, And Then Became Extinct Charles Darwin is known as the father of evolution. But another British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, played a major role in developing the theory of natural selection before fading into obscurity. A trip to what's now Sulawesi in Indonesia, and the unique animals he found there, helped form his seminal ideas. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/177781424/he-helped-discover-evolution-and-then-became-extinct?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/30/177781424/he-helped-discover-evolution-and-then-became-extinct?ft=1&f=4458700 Charles Darwin is known as the father of evolution. But another British naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace, played a major role in developing the theory of natural selection before fading into obscurity. A trip to what's now Sulawesi in Indonesia, and the unique animals he found there, helped form his seminal ideas.

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]]> As Myanmar Reforms, Old Tensions Rise To The Surface After decades of military rule, Myanmar is experiencing rapid economic and social reforms. But some now fear that long-suppressed ethnic and religious tensions will be hard to contain. Violence between Buddhists and Muslims that began in the western part of the country last year now appear to be spreading. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:29:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/24/178806312/as-myanmar-reforms-old-tensions-rise-to-the-surface?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/24/178806312/as-myanmar-reforms-old-tensions-rise-to-the-surface?ft=1&f=4458700 After decades of military rule, Myanmar is experiencing rapid economic and social reforms. But some now fear that long-suppressed ethnic and religious tensions will be hard to contain. Violence between Buddhists and Muslims that began in the western part of the country last year now appear to be spreading.

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]]> Journey To Java's 'Tempeh Village': Where Soybean Cakes Are Born Whether it's pan-fried or baked into crispy snacks, the Indonesian soybean cake called tempeh is catching on in America as an alternative to meat. For the residents of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, it's basic, everyday fare. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 03:16:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/05/174847636/journey-to-javas-tempeh-village-where-soybean-cakes-are-born?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/05/174847636/journey-to-javas-tempeh-village-where-soybean-cakes-are-born?ft=1&f=4458700 Whether it's pan-fried or baked into crispy snacks, the Indonesian soybean cake called tempeh is catching on in America as an alternative to meat. For the residents of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, it's basic, everyday fare.

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]]> Now A Politician, Aung San Suu Kyi Is The Object Of Protesters As a member of Parliament, she is now at times working alongside the government, a development that could cost her backing from her traditional supporters. Sat, 16 Mar 2013 05:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/16/174431490/now-a-politician-aung-san-suu-kyi-is-the-object-of-protesters?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/16/174431490/now-a-politician-aung-san-suu-kyi-is-the-object-of-protesters?ft=1&f=4458700 As a member of Parliament, she is now at times working alongside the government, a development that could cost her backing from her traditional supporters.

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]]> After Long Isolation, Myanmar Now Has Suitors Myanmar's contacts with the world are now expanding rapidly. President Obama's visit last November was a sign of that shift. And China is building major oil and gas pipelines that link the two countries. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:20:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/22/172687939/chinese-pipeline-lays-in-the-middle-of-myanmar-s-future-foreign-relations?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/22/172687939/chinese-pipeline-lays-in-the-middle-of-myanmar-s-future-foreign-relations?ft=1&f=4458700 Myanmar's contacts with the world are now expanding rapidly. President Obama's visit last November was a sign of that shift. And China is building major oil and gas pipelines that link the two countries.

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]]> An Indonesian Extremist Trades Rifle For Spatula Between 2002 and 2009, homegrown Indonesian militants staged deadly attacks almost yearly. The story of one former terrorist-turned-chef — and his unrealized dreams of global jihad — help illustrate why terrorism hasn't flourished in the Muslim-majority country. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:33:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/21/172520283/an-indonesian-extremist-trades-rifle-for-spatula?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2013/02/21/172520283/an-indonesian-extremist-trades-rifle-for-spatula?ft=1&f=4458700 Between 2002 and 2009, homegrown Indonesian militants staged deadly attacks almost yearly. The story of one former terrorist-turned-chef — and his unrealized dreams of global jihad — help illustrate why terrorism hasn't flourished in the Muslim-majority country.

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]]> In Myanmar, A Hunt For Fabled Cache Of Buried WWII Spitfires A team of researchers hopes to verify a fantastic tale that British troops leaving Burma in 1945 buried dozens of Spitfire fighter planes around the country. For 16 years, an English farmer has hunted the aircraft. Now, he believes he is close to unearthing them — and, he hopes, restoring them to flying condition. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:35:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/21/169621797/in-myanmar-a-hunt-for-fabled-cache-of-buried-wwii-spitfires?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/21/169621797/in-myanmar-a-hunt-for-fabled-cache-of-buried-wwii-spitfires?ft=1&f=4458700 A team of researchers hopes to verify a fantastic tale that British troops leaving Burma in 1945 buried dozens of Spitfire fighter planes around the country. For 16 years, an English farmer has hunted the aircraft. Now, he believes he is close to unearthing them — and, he hopes, restoring them to flying condition.

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]]> Fighting Escalates Between Myanmar And Rebel Group Escalating violence between ethnic insurgents and the government in Myanmar has foreign governments concerned. The insurgents have been fighting a little-known civil war for autonomy for more than six decades. The current escalation makes some observers question whether Myanmar's new civilian government is in full control of the military, and whether Western countries were too hasty in lifting economic sanctions imposed on the former ruling military junta. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/07/168817801/myanmar-could-sign-ceasefire-with-ethnic-insurgent-groups?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/07/168817801/myanmar-could-sign-ceasefire-with-ethnic-insurgent-groups?ft=1&f=4458700 Escalating violence between ethnic insurgents and the government in Myanmar has foreign governments concerned. The insurgents have been fighting a little-known civil war for autonomy for more than six decades. The current escalation makes some observers question whether Myanmar's new civilian government is in full control of the military, and whether Western countries were too hasty in lifting economic sanctions imposed on the former ruling military junta.

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]]> South Korea Prepares The Young For A Rapidly Aging Population South Korea now appears to be the fastest-aging country in the world. The government has launched a series of creative programs, including a network of community centers for dementia patients and training for young people that simulates the physical and mental effects of old age. Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:28:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/04/168615553/south-korea-prepares-the-young-for-a-rapidly-aging-population?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2013/01/04/168615553/south-korea-prepares-the-young-for-a-rapidly-aging-population?ft=1&f=4458700 South Korea now appears to be the fastest-aging country in the world. The government has launched a series of creative programs, including a network of community centers for dementia patients and training for young people that simulates the physical and mental effects of old age.

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]]> Jakarta's New Governor Seen As A Rising Star Most Indonesian leaders have been generals or bureaucrats who came to power by building patronage networks, not by providing services to citizens. But Jakarta's new governor, who has been in office only a few months, has already won widespread popular support. Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:32:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/26/167707764/jakartas-new-governor-seen-as-a-rising-star?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/26/167707764/jakartas-new-governor-seen-as-a-rising-star?ft=1&f=4458700 Most Indonesian leaders have been generals or bureaucrats who came to power by building patronage networks, not by providing services to citizens. But Jakarta's new governor, who has been in office only a few months, has already won widespread popular support.

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]]> South Korea's New Leader Promises Moderate Path South Korea will have its first female president, following Wednesday's close presidential election. Park Geun-hye says she will be open to better relations with North Korea, but she leads a conservative party known for its hardline with Pyongyang. Thu, 20 Dec 2012 04:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/20/167683694/south-korean-president-elect-promises-a-moderate-path?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/20/167683694/south-korean-president-elect-promises-a-moderate-path?ft=1&f=4458700 South Korea will have its first female president, following Wednesday's close presidential election. Park Geun-hye says she will be open to better relations with North Korea, but she leads a conservative party known for its hardline with Pyongyang.

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]]> South Korea Elects First Female President South Korea will have its first woman president with the election of Park Geun-hye after a very tight election. With most of the votes counted, Park was elected with a small majority over her liberal opponent. Park's father was the country's military dictator for 18 years. Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/19/167649307/south-korea-elects-first-female-president?ft=1&f=4458700 http://www.npr.org/2012/12/19/167649307/south-korea-elects-first-female-president?ft=1&f=4458700 South Korea will have its first woman president with the election of Park Geun-hye after a very tight election. With most of the votes counted, Park was elected with a small majority over her liberal opponent. Park's father was the country's military dictator for 18 years.

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