Author Archives: Muhammad Cohen

About Muhammad Cohen

Former US diplomat and broadcast news producer Muhammad Cohen is Asia editor at large for Clarion Media, a longtime contributor to Forbes, columnist for Asia Times and author of Hong Kong On Air, a novel set in his adopted hometown during the 1997 handover about TV news, love, betrayal, high finance, and cheap lingerie. See his biography, online archive and more at www.muhammadcohen.com; follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, ex-Twitter @MuhammadCohen and now on Blue Sky @MuhammadCohen.bsky.social.

Ubud encounters: Afghanistan for Afghans

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Muhammad Cohen

Two visitors to Afghanistan think it’s time for foreigners to leave. Continue reading →

Posted in Agustinus Wibowo, Australian artists, Australian immigration policy, Bali, Ben Quilty, foreign aid in Afghanistan, Hong Kong On Air, Indonesian writers, literary festivals, Ubud Writers Festival, war in Afghanistan | Comments Off on Ubud encounters: Afghanistan for Afghans

Ubud encounters: Flanagan takes the bridge

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Muhammad Cohen

Gifted Australian writer Richard Flanagan eloquently expresses the impact of the first decade of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival. Continue reading →

Posted in Bali, Bali bombings 2002, Hong Kong On Air, Indonesian literature, Richard Flanagan, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, The Sound of One Hand Clapping, The Unknown Terrorist, Ubud Writers Festival | Comments Off on Ubud encounters: Flanagan takes the bridge

Ubud encounters: Jalanan, Jakarta buskers rock

Posted on October 15, 2013 by Muhammad Cohen

Daniel Ziv’s documentary tells the lives of three street musicians and much more in their own words and music. Continue reading →

Posted in Bali, Busan International Film Festival, Daniel Ziv, documentary films, Hong Kong On Air, Jakarta, Jalanan, Navicula, street musicians, Ubud Writers Festival | Comments Off on Ubud encounters: Jalanan, Jakarta buskers rock

Ubud encounters: Uda Agus, Indonesia get social

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Muhammad Cohen

Digital networks and traditional culture blend seamlessly in Indonesia. Continue reading →

Posted in Bali, digital networks, Hong Kong On Air, Indonesian writers, social networks, technology in Indonesia, Ubud Writers Festival, Uda Agus | Comments Off on Ubud encounters: Uda Agus, Indonesia get social

Ubud encounters: Bernice Chauly calls foul, Angelo Suarez calls cops

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Muhammad Cohen

Censorship grows in Malaysia, takes new forms in the Philippines. Continue reading →

Posted in Angelo Suarez, Asia Times, Bali, Bernice Chauly, censorship, Hong Kong On Air, Malaysian literature, Philippine literature, Ubud Writers Festival | Comments Off on Ubud encounters: Bernice Chauly calls foul, Angelo Suarez calls cops