Letters

This season's annual double issue explored the making of modern Asia. Readers shared their views on how religion, politics and economic development have shaped Asia's past and will affect its future

In his article "The Making of Modern Asia" [Aug. 15-22], author Kishore Mahbubani stated, "Japan's record in World War II was disastrous. But if Japan had not succeeded early in the 20th century, Asia's development would have come much later." Mahbubani also said, "Asia needs to send Japan a big thank-you note." Those of us who are not Japanese might consider doing so, but only if Israel sends a big thank-you note to Germany. Mahbubani seems to assume that economic growth has a value higher than anything else. Maybe that is his belief, but it isn't necessarily shared by all Asians.
Jihoon Chang
Hong Kong

I agree with Mahbubani about the important role that Japan has played in Asian prosperity. But he did not give enough credit to America's influence. Asians know how important the U.S. market is. Without it, Asia would not be as prosperous as it is. As Asian success has grown over the years, we have found our nations united by the English language and American culture. And now we are also affected by regional influences. Asian peoples are linked by an interest in Japanese pop culture, Korean drama, Taiwanese literature, Hong Kong celebrities, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, and Indonesian beach holidays. The interest in pan-Asian culture, from Japan to Burma, doesn't mean the influence of the U.S. has been eradicated. It continues to go hand in hand with Asian culture.
Masaki Murata
Kamakura, Japan

The wave of change that has swept Asia has affected nations eager to put their past behind them. In China's Nanjing, archaic buildings that housed "comfort women" will be dismantled to erect skyscrapers. Japan tried to whitewash its militaristic past by culling mention of the rape of Nanjing from history textbooks. Despite the Asian tendency to celebrate the new, many cities have resolved to preserve their traditions. We all need to salvage the best elements from our past before urbanization transforms historic and cultural sites beyond recognition.
Victoria Ip
Hong Kong

A World of Help
Tim McGirk's story "Moscow's Graveyard," on how the Soviet Union's defeat in Afghanistan led to the global rise of Islamic militancy [Aug. 15-22], gave too much credit to the Afghan people in the struggle to liberate their country. The rest of the world helped: Americans, Saudis and Pakistanis all made outstanding contributions. Practically the whole world was against the Soviets. That's why they lost.
Ernest Lall
Taxila, Pakistan

Political Solution
In his interview with TIME, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos stated that if the Philippines switches to a parliamentary system of government, "there will be greater continuity, accountability, predictability and responsibility" [Aug. 15-22]. Ramos believes such a switch could plug the hole in our sinking ship of state. In light of the deepening political turmoil, however, that is getting ahead of ourselves. The solution must start with a satisfactory political compromise to prevent the ship from sinking—with all Filipinos on board.
Antonio A. Talao
Parañaque City, the Philippines

As the War Grinds On
The subhead of your report on the "ever more brutal" Iraq war stated, "Here's why American soldiers keep dying" [Aug. 15-22]. U.S. troops are dying for the same reason that so many were killed in Vietnam: they are where they have no reason to be. After the U.S. left Vietnam to the North Vietnamese, what happened? Is Vietnam in dire straits today without America to back it? No, it's expanding economically. Leave Iraq to the Iraqis, and get out. That nation will set itself right more easily without the U.S. tipping the balance.
Arunachalam Ashokan
Quilon, India

Condi Under Pressure
"The Condi Doctrine" compared U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice with George Marshall, the U.S. Secretary of State responsible for the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild Europe in the aftermath of World War II [Aug. 15-22]. The Marshall Plan helped restore Europe after a devastating war by relieving, as Marshall put it, "hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos." The Condi (and Bush) doctrine attempts to restore Iraq by forcing democracy down Iraqis' throats, using coercion and military occupation. Notwithstanding Rice's and the Administration's claim that the insurgency is coming under control, the body count keeps rising daily, with no end in sight for the quagmire in Iraq.
Ralph Kress
La Mesa, California, U.S.