Business before rights in Southeast Asia

Business before rights in Southeast Asia: The United States' strategic "pivot" towards Asia is spinning lopsidedly in an imbalance shared by Europe. On one side, there is the attempt to counter China's rising regional influence by courting and defending nations like Myanmar and Vietnam. On the other, the increasing willingness of Washington and Brussels to subjugate rights and democracy concerns in pursuit of commercial gain is a turn towards Beijing's approach. - Roberto Tofani (May 31, '12)