San Francisco, March 7, 2007 "“ The Asia Foundation, the premier non-profit organization devoted to Asia's development since 1954, today announced the launch of In Asia, a weekly, in-depth, in-country resource blog for readers who want to stay abreast of significant events shaping Asia. The inaugural issue, now posted to the Foundation's web page at www.asiafoundation.org/in-asia, features pieces on the U.S.-North Korea nuclear talks, the legal fate of former Prime Minister Thaksin in Thailand, Pakistani public opinion towards the United States, and ongoing violence against women.

Drawing on the first-hand insight of over 55 renowned experts in over 20 countries, In Asia will deliver concentrated insight and analysis on issues affecting South, Southeast, and Northeast Asia, as well as Foundation-produced reports and public opinion polls in news-making countries like Afghanistan and Nepal.

In Asia's weekly content includes "In the News," an ongoing series of in-country perspectives of events and "Notes from the Field," feature stories on inroads made in governance, women's empowerment, economic reform, and international relations throughout Asia.

In the inaugural issue, posted moments ago on the eve on International Women's Day, Carol Yost, director of The Asia Foundation's Women's Empowerment Program, explores the urgent global human rights issue of violence against women. Scott Snyder, a leading expert on U.S.-Korea relations and Northeast Asian security, analyzes this week's U.S.-North Korea talks; James Klein, the Foundation's Thailand Country Representative, discusses the legal hurdles in pressing charges against Thaksin Shinawatra; and Hamid Sharif, the Foundation's Pakistan Country Representatives, writes about the Pakistani public's reaction to Vice President Cheney’s recent visit to the country.

In Asia is posted each Wednesday evening at www.asiafoundation.org/in-asia, and is accessible via an RSS feed or through weekly e-mails. Questions and comments about In Asia can be sent to in-asia@asiafound.org.

About The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance and law, economic reform and development, women's empowerment, and international relations. Drawing on 50 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.

With a network of 17 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2004, the Foundation provided more than $72 million in program support and distributed almost 800,000 books and educational materials valued at $28 million throughout Asia.

For more information, please visit http://www.asiafoundation.org.

Asia Foundation, The

Asia Foundation, The

About The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; and international relations.

Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.

With offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2008, the Foundation provided more than $87 million in program support and distributed over one million books and educational materials valued at $41 million throughout Asia. For more information, visit www.asiafoundation.org.

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