SINGAPORE -- Terrorism and the world economy are heavy on the minds of Asia right now. Among many government officials, leading academics and others, Tokyo and Hong Kong -- not to mention this clean-as-a-whistle, well-run island city-state -- there is increasing agreement that future world geopolitics will be framed by the terror counteroffensive of nations and civilizations that value stability and modernity.
Leading that charge is the United States, of course, but doubts grow daily about Washington's wisdom and vision.
"But this is a war that the world must not lose," observes a widely respected senior Southeast Asian official. "For if the United States fails or walks away from the terrorist challenge, they'll go for us all even worse."