Op Eds & Articles

In August, 2011, Michael Podberezin became the first Israeli to gain entrance to North Korea as a tourist on his Israeli passport. During his visit, he managed to capture some of the absurdity of life behind the curtain of the 38th parallel just months before the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il

Editorial contributor, Larry Luxner, pictures the unique way of Bhutan’s domestic development, the “Gross National Happiness”, and the warm friendship and potential fields of cooperation between Bhutan and Israel.

In this special report, founder of the new Kuala Lumpur-based lobby group, the Caucus for Improvement of Malaysia-Israel Relations, puts forward the case on why Malaysia needs to establish relations with Israel and how it will benefit in doing so.

Two scenarios, optimistic and pessimistic, drawing on different interpretations of Japanese “past experience” and “national character” can be envisaged of the long-term political and economic implications of the triple disaster in Japan. I call them the Isaiah and Jeremiah Visions, respectively.

Does Israel Need To Re-think Its Relationship With China?

Dr. Alon Levkowitz of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Haifa discusses Seoul’s dilemma following the most recent attacks by North Korea, and presents some of the factors that will influence any retaliation policy.

The North Korean Threat, Iran and the Talmud: Interview with Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Israel, Ma Young-Sam.
Ambassador Young-Sam Ma also served as Counselor in the Korean Embassy in Tel Aviv between 2003 and 2006, and headed the newly-created General Delegation to Palestine, representing his country’s interests with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah.

Israel’s Ambassador to India, Mark Sofer, on agritech, diplomacy and Bollywood

China water and energy expert, Dr. Richard Hardiman, provides an in-depth analysis of China’s energy and climate change challenges and what it’s doing to green-up.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jun on the Shanghai Expo, and challenges of urbanization and sustainability facing China’s growing cities.