The mystery of Zomia: In the lawless mountain realms of Asia, Yale professor James Scott finds a case against civilization (and Joel Robbins reviews Scott's The Art of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia). From Irrawaddy, taking over the airwaves: Private FM radio stations are shooting up all over Burma. Sex, drugs and inner tubes: As Laos opens to tourists, some fear it may be losing its soul — others are merely losing their bikinis. Laos steps into the globalized world — but Vientiane is now inextricably linked with Beijing. What is behind the latest crackdown on democracy activists in Vietnam? In the rapidly developing Cambodia, forcible evictions are an all-too-common way to make room for the new. From Asia Times, a special investigation on drugs and disaffection in southern Thailand. A review of Singapore: A Biography by Mark Ravinder Frost and Yu-mei Balasingamchow. A review of Constructing Singapore: Elitism, Ethnicity and the Nation-Building Project by Michael D. Barr and Zlatko Skrbiss. It's not just politics and racial discrimination: Malaysia's brain drain appears to be picking up speed. From Aliran Monthly, a review of Malaysia at the Crossroads by Jeyakumar Devaraj; and an interview with Andrew Aeria on the divide between east and west Malaysia (and more). From Inside Indonesia, an article on the ongoing challenge of the Papua dilemma. Death in Freeport: 21st Century colonialism flourishes in West Papua. A review of The Next Front: Southeast Asia and the Road to Global Peace with Islam by Christopher S. Bond and Lewis M. Simons (and an excerpt). What's behind Asean's arms race? William Boot looks at the regional rivalry for energy resources while China's growing shadow drives massive spending on weapons in Southeast Asia.
