Author Archives: mendee

About mendee

Jargalsaikhan Mendee is a Deputy Director of the Institute for Defense Studies of Mongolia. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of British Columbia, and MAs in International Relations from the US Naval Postgraduate School and in Asia-Pacific Policy Studies from the Institute of Asian Research of the University of British Columbia.

First-Ever Diaspora Voting

This year, Mongolians living abroad were able to vote for the first time in parliamentary elections, though their participation was hampered by a number of logistic hurdles. Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Diaspora, Elections, Ikh Khural 2012 | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Mongolian Public Service

The challenges to a further institutionalization of the Mongolian public service are political parties, the involvement of entrepreneurs in politics, and local lobbying groups. Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Governance, Party Politics, Politics, Public Service | Tagged | 1 Comment

Enkhbayar, Corruption, Foreign Reporting and the Rule of Law

Frm president Enkhbayar is going on trial for corruption on May 24. Anti-corruption has emerged as a promising platform for Mongolian politicians to establish themselves and their legacies. Continue reading

Posted in Corruption, Elections, Foreign Investment, Governance, Ikh Khural 2012, Party Politics, Politics, Populism | Tagged | 3 Comments

Mongolian Parliament Election and Uncertainty on an Electronic Vote-Counting System by Otgonbaatar (Waseda University)

The election is drawing close attention from both domestically and overseas residing Mongolians, not only because there are many pending issues that are holding their solutions in the Mongolian society. But also, this is because the State Great Khural (Parliament)[1] … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Ikh Khural 2012, Otgonbaayar Byambaa, Politics | 1 Comment

Is Mongolia Fighting or Preparing to Fight Corruption?

By Mendee Jargalsaikhan Mongolia seems succeeding to create the legal environment to tame the corruption by institutionalizing its efforts.  But, these laws and any agencies will be powerless in the absence of political will and interest to clean up the … Continue reading

Posted in Corruption, Democracy, Global Indices, Governance, Law | Tagged | 2 Comments

Survival of New Defense Minister and Other Issues of Controling the Security Forces

One of the youngest cabinet members, J. Enkhbayar, has survived a “no-confidence” vote in parliament on March 9, 2012 after filling the Defense Minister’s seat in the post-Coalition government.  At a quick glance, it could be easily interpreted as an … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Society, Democracy, Security Apparatus | Tagged | Leave a comment

Mongolia – Without Vodka, Cheers With Milk

Campaigns against vodka are gaining ground in Mongolia. Continue reading

Posted in Social Issues | Tagged | 2 Comments

End of “Non-Standard” Government

DP decides to leave governing coalition in Mongolia, exposing rifts between the two large parties. Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Elections, Governance, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

OT: In Danger of Becoming A Hostage in Domestic Politics, Again

In 2005, Ivanhoe’s Robert Friedland’s infamous statement about the huge profits to be made in Mongolia at an investor conference in Florida delayed his deal with the Government of Mongolia over one of the biggest copper deposits in the world, … Continue reading

Posted in Mining, Oyu Tolgoi, Politics | Tagged | 4 Comments

Economy, Security and Democracy – China, Russia, and US

A few days back, Stephen Noerper wrote a commentary – capturing a historic little known visit by the Vice President Biden. But, I like to rewind it a few months back.  A number of visits by Mongolian officials to its … Continue reading

Posted in China, Foreign Policy, International Relations, Politics, Russia, United States | Tagged | Leave a comment

Anti-Chinese Attitudes in Post-Communist Mongolia

M.A. thesis argues that Mongolian anti-Chinese attitudes are rooted in state-socialist portrayals of China from the 1960s to the 1980s. Continue reading

Posted in China, Nationalism, Social Issues, Society and Culture | Tagged | 2 Comments