The Diplomat

Japan’s Farm and Food Exports Hit New High As Trade Patterns Shift

Amid tariffs and geopolitical headwinds, Japan’s trade data shows new patterns emerging – led by food products, tourism-linked consumption, and advanced manufacturing.

Thai Navy Seizes Cambodian Fishing Boat in Disputed Waters

Phnom Penh denounced the capture of the vessel and its crew as “an unauthorized incursion” into Cambodian territorial waters.

Timor-Leste’s Case Against Myanmar: A Question of Priorities

It is commendable that Dili is showing solidarity with the people of Myanmar – but a failed prosecution could end up undermining the principle of universal jurisdiction.

Destruction of a Lake – a Ramsar Site – in India’s Northeast

Construction activity, effluents and sewage are destroying the Deepor Beel in Assam.

Is Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League Returning to Politics Under New Leadership?

Party offices in some districts have been reopened, and national and party flags are being raised.

Revelations of Chinese Nuclear Tests Mark Start of a New Era

While China is expanding its nuclear arsenal at a dramatic pace, Russia and the U.S. are also testing new delivery platforms.

Modi Government Strikes Hard on Indian Workers

Earlier, government permission was required to sack 100 employees or more. Now, no permission is required for sacking up to 300 employees.

Why Was a Kazakh Lawyer Stripped of His License?

Murat Adam tried to defend the rights of his client, an editor under fire, and found himself in the state’s crosshairs.

China, ASEAN, and Beyond: The UK Strategy for the Indo-Pacific

“Euro-Atlantic security and prosperity depends on a free and open Indo-Pacific,” writes U.K. Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra.

New US Tariffs, Same Problems for Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan

The U.S. Supreme Court’s tariff ruling only adds uncertainty for the U.S. partners in East Asia.

Where Did Tajik President Emomali Rahmon Disappear To? And Why Does It Matter?

Rahmon surfaced after an apparent 17-day absence on February 14. His stepping out of the limelight stirred up rumors of ill health.

Nepal’s Gen Z Election

Biswas Baral discusses the Gen Z Revolution, the new crop of favorites – headed by Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah – and the fate of the old political forces.

Why Japan Must Help Counter China’s Presence in the Pacific

From elite capture to organized crime, China’s influence is growing in Micronesia. Japan is uniquely positioned to help combat this trend.

Duterte Played Central Role in Drug War Killings, ICC Prosecutors Claim

The court’s deputy prosecutor said that the former Philippine leader was “at the very heart” of a plan to “neutralize alleged criminals, including through murder.”

Newly Elected Myanmar Parliament to Convene in mid-March, Junta Says

After their initial meetings, the two houses of parliament will reconvene to select a new president who will take office in April.

Kazakh Journalists are Being Fined for Surveying Public Opinion on the Upcoming Referendum

As Kazakhstan prepares to vote on crucial constitutional changes, media workers are being fined for asking the public about the vote.

India-Brazil Bond Deepens With Critical Minerals Pact

The two countries have also agreed to double existing bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030.

Hindutva Groups in India Effectively Outlawed Valentine’s Day

Using vigilante violence, these militant organizations are forging a new form of law and order that conforms to their strict religious beliefs.

In Photos: Rohingya Refugees Watch Their World Burn – Again and Again

Repeated fires in the refugee camps have become a deadly pattern, leaving already displaced families with nothing.

AUKUS Quietly Moving Ahead With Arrival of British Sub in Australia

By integrating industrial bases and operational practices, Australia and the U.K. are signalling that their partnership is not a relic of history but central to their contemporary strategies.

What’s Next for China’s EV Stocks as Weak Demand Triggers Sell-Offs?

Cooling domestic demand and soaring raw material costs are weighing down Chinese electric vehicle companies.

Takaichi Draws a Red Line on Nuclear Sharing Amid Japan’s Security Review

The prime minister’s latest comments suggest a dual-track strategy: strengthening Japan’s conventional capabilities and defense industry while drawing a firm line against nuclear weapons.

America Needs More Than Creativity on Hong Kong – It Needs Action

Members of Congress have both the authority and responsibility to act by passing the bipartisan Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act.

The ‘Resting’ Generation and South Korea’s Youth Recession

As entry-level jobs contract and firms prioritize experience, a growing number of young South Koreans have given up on looking for work altogether.

Sayragul Sauytbay Speaks: Xinjiang, China, and Fighting for Justice

“I believe that, eventually, the Chinese government will pay the price for its actions.”

Ishiba’s Swan Song at the UN

Japan’s outgoing prime minister shares the foreign policy agenda he would have pursued during his farewell tour.

Trump Touches a Raw Nerve in Delhi

The U.S. president has not only disregarded Indian sensitivities with his recent comments on mediation but is also cozying up to Pakistan.

India’s China Embrace and US Decoupling

Over the past few months a process of normalization in the China-India bilateral has taken off.

Cambodia’s Decline Under 2 Years of Hun Manet

Hun Manet’s two years in power have witnessed a decline in any semblance of a government functioning in the interests of its people.

Japan’s Defense Ministry Requests Largest Ever Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

The defense budget request for next fiscal year places a strong emphasis on strengthening unmanned asset defense capabilities.

What the China Coast Guard-PLAN Ship Collision Reveals About China’s Military Capabilities

This incident not only illustrates the continued tensions in the South China Sea but also provides an opportunity to evaluate China’s maritime capabilities.

Japan’s Democratic Party for the People Mixes Momentum and Backlash

The party’s first-ever seats in the Tokyo legislature come amid scrutiny over its leader’s remarks on gender and overall communication strategy.

Will India-Indonesia Ties Take a Leap Forward in 2025?

Indonesian President Prabowo will be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade, a sign of the importance New Delhi accords its relations with Jakarta.

Listening to the Geography of the Moon

An interview with musicians Andrea Rubbio and Virginia Bones.

Taliban Foreign Minister’s Anticipated Visit to India: A Strategic Realignment in New Delhi’s Taliban Policy?

Since the beginning of 2025, New Delhi’s outreach to the Taliban has increased tremendously.

Indian Australians, Cricket, and Urban Planning

What do a Boxing Day cricket test match, Melbourne’s booming western suburbs, and the U.S. HB-1 visa battle have to do with Australia’s relationship with India and Indian migrants?

The Rise of Digital Authoritarianism in Pakistan

Pakistan has spied on its citizens for decades. Technology is making that even easier.

Forward Kairat: The Champions League Returns to Kazakhstan

With Almaty qualifying for the first time in its history, both the team’s strengths and weaknesses are on display.

Listening to China’s Economic Whisperers

The voices shaping economic strategy extend beyond the Communist Party’s inner circle to include a select “brain trust” of prominent economists.

Ethnic Rebel Group Announces Seizure of Key Town in Western Myanmar

The Arakan Army says that it is ready to engage in “political dialogue” and vowed to safeguard foreign investments in Rakhine State.

No Evidence Thai Banks Facilitated Myanmar Arms Purchases, Government Says

The U.N. human rights office claims that the country has become a leading source of banking services to Myanmar’s military junta.

A Ceremonial Start to Construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway

A Chinese statement noted that construction of the Kyrgyz section of the CKU Railway is scheduled to begin in July 2025 and last for six years.

Pakistan’s Flooding Underscores Misplaced Priorities

For the second time in three years, vast swathes of the country drowned, yet there’s little government action.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Forge Strategic Defense Pact Amid Shifting West Asian Dynamics

This is Pakistan’s most significant formal defense pact in decades, and the first such agreement that an Arab Gulf state has inked with a nuclear-armed partner.

Michael Kugelman Revisits the India-Pakistan Crisis

“This is the first time since each country went nuclear that we’ve seen so much force used in so many places.”

Anatomy of an Insurgency: Balochistan’s Crisis and Pakistan’s Failures

Recent escalations demonstrate both the insurgents’ growing operational capabilities and the Pakistani state’s persistent reliance on heavy-handed military responses that continue to alienate...

China’s Victory Day Message Points to Struggle Ahead

A decade of tensions has reshaped China’s war memory toward caution, loyalty and sacrifice.

Why Economic Nationalism Was the Biggest Story of 2024 in Southeast Asia

The steps taken by the region’s governments over the last year should be seen as a response to a wider trend toward protectionism.

Russian Without Russians: The Politics of Language in Uzbekistan

A new generation is questioning the privileged place of the Russian language in public education and everyday life – while still grappling with its utility, legacy, and political weight.

Changing Cadre Incentives: The Untold Story of China’s Economic Challenge

Changes in the local cadre incentive structure are a crucial yet often overlooked factor in the performance of the Chinese economy.

Denuclearization of North Korea: No ‘END’ in Sight

Based on recent speeches by top leaders, a profound and unbridgeable gulf between the two Koreas continues to define the peninsula.

Myanmar’s Election Gamble

Many in the international community have convinced themselves there is little downside to the regime’s fraudulent election, but perverse incentives risk encouraging violence.

Page 2 – The Diplomat

Asia-Pacific’s leading current affairs magazine.

Can China Ever Weed out Corruption in Its Military?

Another spate of Chinese military corruption cases serves as a reminder that a decades-long practice and culture of corruption continues to flourish within the PLA.

Interview: Bushra Zulfiqar on Child Trafficking in Asia

The regional director of Terre des Hommes Netherlands speaks with The Diplomat.

Why Kazakhstan’s Energy Transition Is Stalling Despite Bold Pledges

An ambitious policy framework has translated into limited change in Kazakhstan. Why?

The Challenge to China’s ‘Unified Big Market’ Drive

The country’s vast consumer base is the key to riding out Trump’s tariffs. But China’s internal market is riven by its own trade barriers.

Reaching for the Stars: China’s Growing Space Diplomacy

China is not only pursuing space exploration on its own, but also assessing a key role for itself in space diplomacy and coordination.

World’s Coldest Capital Endures Electricity Interruptions as Mongolia Tackles Energy Insecurity

Power disruptions in Ulaanbaatar add more urgency to the government’s existing focus on energy reforms.

Massive Protests Condemn Corruption in the Philippines

The anti-corruption protests, which took place across Manila and other cities, are the largest to take place since the “Million People March” in 2013.

Russia’s Expanding Relations with Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan

Russia is increasingly approaching Afghanistan as yet another Central Asian state – including gradually opening access to its labor migration system.

Why Do University Students and Locals Keep Clashing in Bangladesh?

While campuses have long been notorious for political violence, violent clashes between students and local residents are increasing.

The RSS at 100: The Pan-Hindutva Force Behind Modi’s BJP

In its centenary year, the Hindu supremacist organization stands stronger than ever, not only in India but overseas.

China’s Political System Makes Consumption-led Growth Impossible

Beijing’s prioritization of political security necessitates a reliance on investment and exports – not consumption – to power the economy.

Kim Jong Un Says Denuclearization Is off the Table for North Korea

During a speech at the Supreme People’s Assembly, the North Korean leader again ruled out the possibility of using his nuclear weapons as bargaining chips.

South Korean President Nominates Prime Minister and Ministers

Lee Jae-myung has nominated 17 out of 19 ministers – and one of them was part of the Cabinet of his impeached predecessor.

‘Zombie Vapes’ Are Sweeping Across Southeast Asia, Sparking a New Public Health Crisis

They’re flavored like candy but packed with drugs – leaving teenagers in convulsions and authorities scrambling to keep up.

After No-Confidence Vote, Tasmania Headed to the Polls July 19

The roots of the latest round of turbulence in Tasmania’s politics lie in mismanagement: of a critical infrastructure project and a cultural point of pride with significant financial implications.

The IRA Has Changed. Now the US Needs a New Nickel Strategy.

Weak EV demand in the United States – exacerbated by the loss of the 30D tax credit and broader economic uncertainty – is likely to depress prices further, reinforcing Indonesia’s dominance.

The Transnational Origins of Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry

Donald Trump’s self-proclaimed “victory” in his chip war against Taipei is premised on a fundamental misunderstanding of how we got to where we are.

Mongolia’s Strategic Turn Toward Central Asia

Since 2023, Mongolia has been actively deepening its political relations with Central Asian countries – not just as a strategic pivot, but also as a form of cultural and historical reconnection.

No Safe Return: The Case Against Deporting Afghan Refugees

Beneath the official narratives of “stability” and “return,” lies a brutal truth: Afghanistan remains a deeply unsafe country and any forced return of refugees constitutes a clear violation of...

What the Go-Bag Craze Reveals About Taiwan’s War Readiness

As government gridlock drags on, Taiwan’s civil society is reinventing national defense.

Why Women in Nepal Can’t Afford to Stay in Politics

Elections in Nepal are becoming increasingly expensive, thereby threatening inclusive democracy and raising concerns about the future of political participation.

The World Cannot Afford to Forget the Human Cost of Nuclear Weapons

Each August 29, we should not only mark the International Day against Nuclear Tests but also commit to education and remembrance.

Rethinking Great Power Competition: The Rise of Central Asia as Middle Powers

For decades, multivectorism was less a genuine strategy than a polite fiction. No longer.

Arrest of Noted Environmental Activist Fuels Unrest in Ladakh

This is a sensitive border region, and Buddhists and Muslims are fighting for a greater say in administration and protection from corporate interests.

An Anti-immigration Push Won’t Solve Japan’s Cost of Living Woes

Blaming foreigners may be politically convenient, but it distracts from one of the true culprits behind inflation: climate change.

Why Viral Western Takes Still Misunderstand China’s Political Economy

Both the “engineering state” and the “mayor economy” framings obscure the critical mechanics of China’s growth machine.

Arrest Warrant Issued Against South Korean President Yoon

For the first time in South Korea’s history, an arrest warrant requested by the investigation agency against the president has been issued.

South Korean Women’s Resistance at the Heart of Yoon Suk-yeol’s Impeachment

More than a reaction to Yoon’s autocratic and anti-feminist tendencies, the massive participation of women is the culmination of long-standing struggles for gender equality, and unmet demands for justice.

The Significance of China in India’s Foreign Policy

New Delhi’s efforts to re-engage and rebuild ties with China reflect a refusal to be co-opted by any singular geopolitical axis, even under intense economic pressure.

North Korea’s Processed Goods Push Meets China’s Cold Market Reality

Chinese traders want North Korean companies to continue to export raw materials, which conflicts with the North Korean regime’s policy of exporting processed goods.

CPEC: Debt Trap Diplomacy or a Mismanaged Opportunity?

It is no secret that CPEC has failed to achieve its set goals on time. But is China to blame – or Pakistan itself?

Mongolia Expands Third Neighbor Links to Southeast Asia

Mongolia is renewing its focus on ASEAN and its member countries, with an aim to diversify trade.

The Evolving Strategic Partnership Between India and Kuwait

Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit was the culmination of long-term trends in India-Kuwait relations, and India-Gulf ties more broadly.

In an ‘America First’ Era, Taiwan Gains Ground in Congress

An analysis of 20 years of congressional speeches shows that support for Taiwan is increasingly a central pillar in the U.S. competition with China.

Why Is the PPP Still Defending Yoon Suk-yeol?

A year after the illegitimate declaration of martial law, the conservative People Power Party is still justifying Yoon’s decision.

Former Defense Minister Nakatani Says Japan’s Next Submarine ‘Will Eventually Need Nuclear Propulsion’

If Tokyo acquires nuclear-powered subs, it would be a significant strategic shift for the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings.

Why Are Bangladeshis Joining Russia’s War in Ukraine?

Many are duped by Bangladeshi and Russian recruitment agencies into joining the Russian army. Others are drawn by social media videos.

Can China-Japan Relations Be Saved?

China seems to have decided to freeze out the Takaichi government for as long as it takes.

South Korean President Says Unification Is Ultimate Goal

During a press conference on his way to Turkiye, South Korean president shared his view on North Korea.

Drought May Test Central Asia’s New Cooperative Approach

Are the new ties that bind Central Asian countries strong enough to weather drought?

India Avoids Ruffling Trump’s Feathers Over Military Strikes on Venezuela

Its carefully worded statement does not condemn the military action. Indeed, it makes no mention of the U.S. at all.

Thailand’s 2026 Budget, Explained

Deficits seem set to remain a key feature of Thailand’s fiscal reality for a significant time to come.

The Bangladesh-India Rift Has Spread to the Cricket Pitch

Mustafizur’s removal from the IPL is a yorker to Bangladesh-India relations and regional stability. So much for cricket diplomacy.

China’s Erasure of Ethnic Minority Languages

China’s linguistic assimilation campaign continues to advance.

Is North Korea a Strategic Cyber Threat to Europe?

Pyongyang’s cyber activities are no longer a peripheral concern but a central component of its broader geopolitical strategy.

China Coast Guard Presence Near Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands Reaches Record High in 2025

Japan’s Coast Guard is on high alert as China seeks to irreversibly alter the status quo.

The Rise and Fall of China-Czechia Relations

Once Beijing’s closest partner in Central Europe, Czechia has turned into a skeptic – but the latest elections could put China back on the agenda.

Can Takaichi Find a Pragmatist Streak as Prime Minister?

Having ascended to the top tier of Japanese politics, can Takaichi fight the reflex of having to prove her conservative reputation?

Australia’s Shock Defense Wake-up Call

‘Down under’ isn’t that far away from trouble.

China’s Upgraded Lawfare in the South China Sea

China is stepping up its legal narratives targeting the Philippines.

Kazakhstan’s ‘Eternal’ and Pragmatic Relations on Display in Russia Visit

Less than a week after visiting Donald Trump in the White House, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev traveled to Russia to further the countries’ proclaimed “eternal alliance.”

As COP30 Discusses Climate Action, Indian Capital Sees Pollution Protests

Following protests against severe pollution, India’s main opposition leader upheld “the right to clean air” as “a basic human right.” Will pollution finally become a political issue in India?

A C5+1 or 5 C1+1s: The New Math of US Central Asia Policy

The focus of the C5+1 has narrowed to the economic realm, yielding big deals and sidelining big challenges.

Time to Get Ready for the Era of ‘Selective Protectionism’

What Mexico’s tariff hike for non-FTA countries means for ASEAN and beyond.

Tajikistan’s Glaciers Are Collapsing While the Government Talks Green

A mismatch between eco-friendly government rhetoric and polluting actions on the ground is exacerbating Tajikistan’s climate change vulnerability.

As Asia Advances LGBTQ+ Rights, Japan’s Parliament Stalls

The political space for action exists. What’s missing is leadership willing to act on what courts have already decided.

Does Malaysia Really Need Two Teachers Per Classroom?

Increase the number of teachers, by all means, but don’t predetermine what they’re going to do.

China’s Nature Reserve at Scarborough Shoal Isn’t Just About Conservation

Beijing appears to be lowering the threshold for direct military confrontation while reinforcing its claims through civilian institutions.

How India’s Himalayan Frontier Lost Faith in Modi’s Rule

An inside look at Ladakh’s unrest – and the mood in the region today.

Afghanistan’s Media Under the Taliban: From Free Press to Propaganda Control

As journalists face threats and censorship, the Taliban have learned to use social media to shape stories, attract supporters, and appear legitimate to the world.

Why China Is (Still) Not Interested in the Offer of a ‘G2’

History, ideology, and realism all contribute to the perception that Trump’s recent mention of the G-2 is just a U.S. “trap.”

Australia, Philippines Prep New Defense Agreement Amid Growing China Concerns

Despite being oceans apart, the Philippines and Australia are becoming closer than ever thanks to their shared maritime concerns.

Eve Warburton on Indonesian President Prabowo’s First Year in Office

The former general is building on what his predecessor Joko Widodo left behind, furthering the country’s “gradual illiberal slide.”

When It Comes to Oil and Gas, Japan Can Still Say ‘No’

Japan is most likely to diverge from U.S. foreign policy positions when its energy security is at stake.

President Lee Jae-myung’s Latest Headache

Prosecutors and the opposition party are elevating their attacks on Lee over a recent court ruling.

Mongolia Badly Needs Education Reform

A recent teachers’ strike put wages and education inequality at the forefront of public debate.

After the Gen Z Quake, Nepali Congress Fights for its Future

Even though Nepal’s Grand Old Party has strong second-generation leaders ready to take leadership and most of the party wants the same, the old guard is able to cling on.

Destruction in the Heart of Old Samarkand

Forced evictions began in the spring in the neighborhood adjacent to the modest al-Maturidi mausoleum. Then the demolition began.

What to Make of the Recent Trump-Xi Summit?

Have the two powers found a new framework for relations?

Solomon Islands Doesn’t Want to Depend on China. Will the West Give It a Choice?

In the Pacific, infrastructure is influence – but China appears to be alone in recognizing that.

A Murder in Yunnan: Revisiting the Margary Affair

A trade war, an unsolved murder, and the founding of the Chinese Embassy in London.

Legal Pathways Will Save Rohingya Lives

Creating a pathway toward third-country resettlement is the only practical way to stop refugees from dying at sea.

Twin Blasts in South Asia and the Region’s Dangerous Dilemmas

The region increasingly resembles a powder keg — one spark away from catastrophe.

The State of US Asia Policy in the Trump Era, With Special Guest Jim Sciutto

Reflecting on the U.S. president’s recent Asia trip, how American partners view Trump’s nontraditional diplomatic style, and what (in Asia) keeps Jim up at night.

Amid Taiwan’s Diplomatic Blitz in Europe, China Threatens to Weaponize Interpol

Three prominent DPP politicians were in Europe this month.

The Supreme Court’s Tariff Test: What Is at Stake for the Rule of Law and Global Trade

Beneath the technical arguments lies the question of whether the U.S. will reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law in trade – or abandon it.

Malaysian PM Anwar Attempts to Get Thailand-Cambodia Border Deal Back on Track

The ASEAN chair says that the two nations’ prime ministers “reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution.”

How Asia Is Navigating America’s Fading Financial Control

Across Asia, governments are learning to live with U.S. financial dominance – without depending on it.

South Korea’s Semiconductor Dependence Is Becoming a Structural Economic Risk

Persistent export concentration around memory chips leaves the Korean economy acutely vulnerable to global tech cycles.

The Passing of Queen Sirikit Is a Turning Point for the Thai Monarchy

The death of Queen Sirikit has removed the final protective layer from the current monarch, King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Does Jakarta School Bombing Herald a New Wave of Terror in Indonesia?

Despite the nation’s history of attacks by hardline Islamist outfits, acts of violence by those espousing far-right ideological views are rare.

Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn Arrives in Beijing For Historic Visit

The five-day visit is the first by a sitting Thai monarch since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangkok and Beijing in 1975.

A Glimpse of the Future of China-US Relations

If the current trajectory holds, the rivalry will harden into a permanent conflict in the next few years. But it’s not too late to change course.

Breaking Down the Philippines’ 2026 Budget

Economic growth in the Philippines remains on a solid trajectory, but the government has struggled in recent years to reduce its budget deficit.

Why China Is Not Betting on Its Relationship With the Kuomintang

As Beijing’s envisioned “peaceful reunification” becomes increasingly impossible, its relationship with the KMT must be viewed with greater caution and, more importantly, with less hope.

Central Asia’s Mounting Debt Burden: Risks and Policy Implications

Rising repayment pressures are narrowing fiscal space and testing the sustainability of the region’s development model.

‘Respectful Responder’: How India Is Reshaping Regional Security Partnership

Wary of accusations of hegemonism, India is shying away from the label “net security provider” in favor of a new model.

Modi and the Mullahs: India’s Embrace of the Taliban

Why is New Delhi’s approach to the Islamist fundamentalist group is so different this time around?

Malabar Exercises Underway, Despite Turbulence in the Quad

While the Quad leaders are unlikely to meet this year, Malabar 2025 is going ahead.

Can the NBA Help Heal China-US Relations?

As China-U.S. tensions rise, sports diplomacy offers a path back to healthy competition.

Japan’s Takaichi Pushes Stricter Rules on Foreign Nationals

Regulations for foreign nationals in Japan became a major topic of debate in this year’s election. The new government is acting accordingly.

Will China Fill the Gap in Iran’s Defense Sector?

Insights from Can Kasapoğlu.

Landmines and Civilian Shootings Leave Thai-Cambodian Peace Deal in Tatters

Cambodia’s Prince Group denies claims of involvement in online scamming operations, alleges U.S. conspiracy.

Cracking Southeast Asia’s Scam Economy

Washington and London’s recent unprecedented actions showed what global coordination can achieve – and what remains to be done.

Rare Earths Roil China-EU Relations

Despite a recent de-escalation, China-EU relations are far from normal.

Purges and Power: Is China Quietly Rebalancing Its Command Structure?

Is collective decision making slowly re-emerging in the CCP?

Australia and Indonesia to Sign ‘Watershed’ Defense Treaty in January

The agreement marks a high-point in the bilateral relationship, but stops short of marking a significant strategic reorientation on the part of Jakarta.

Are Indian Classrooms Ready for the AI Leap?

The country’s policymakers must cultivate a middle path that enables technological upliftment while acknowledging structural inequalities.

Revisiting Pakistan’s Climate Journey: From Global Spotlight to Ground Realities

The absence of the prime minister and other senior federal figures at COP30 suggests evolving priorities and moderated expectations.

Uzbekistan: A Silk Mirage

An interview with Joanna Lillis on the contrasts between “new” and “old” Uzbekistan.

Japan Launches First 2 New Offshore Patrol Vessels for JMSDF

Tokyo is betting on compact, highly maneuverable vessels capable of carrying out missions efficiently with fewer crew members.

South Korea Wakes up to Southeast Asia’s Ballooning Scam Industry

But Seoul is finding out what other governments has discovered: getting concrete results is nearly impossible.

Vietnam’s Trade Boom Shouldn’t Excuse Its Human Rights Crackdown

There are real opportunities for Vietnam’s trading partners to insist that it honor its obligations under international human rights law.

Japan’s Taiwan Policy Is Evolving – But Not Yet Transforming

Takaichi’s remarks stirred a firestorm, but her later clarifications highlight the limits on Japan’s involvement in a Taiwan crisis.

Is a Strong Baht Bad for Thailand’s Economy?

Despite the country’s stagnant economy, the baht gained nearly 9 percent against the dollar over the course of 2025.

Mainland Southeast Asia: What to Watch in 2026

The past year has been eventful and at times tumultuous for the subregion. Expect more of the same over the coming year.

Thailand, US Trade Talks Set For Completion By Year’s End, Commerce Minister Says

In a speech to an economic conference in Bangkok, Suphajee Suthumpun also warned about the accumulation of challenges facing the country’s economy.

Death Toll From Southeast Asia Storms Nears 800 as Recovery Efforts Continue

At least 176 people have been killed in Thailand and three in Malaysia, while the death toll in Indonesia has climbed above 600.

Takaichi’s Big Election Gamble: Will It Pay Off?

This is a high-stake gamble for Takaichi. But a snap election like this is not without a precedent.

Inside Bangladesh’s Emerging Islamist-Led Coalition

The new coalition, including both Islamist parties and more centrist ones, signals a sea-change in Bangladesh’s politics.

Corruption and Climate Crisis a Deadly Combination in the Philippines

The impact of natural disasters has been exacerbated by widespread corruption in government infrastructure, including flood control projects.

Southeast Asia Has Become a Global Hub For Transnational Organized Crime. It’s Time for a Decisive Response.

If governments and their partners fail to act decisively, criminality could become a permanent feature of the region’s economic future.

US Congressional Panel Proposes Taiwanese Role in Funding Philippine Base Upgrades

The suggestion by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission is unlikely to go down well in Beijing – or Manila.

China’s Fourth Plenum and the 2027 Problem

Thailand Denies Claim Its Soldiers Gang-Raped Cambodian Woman

The Thai military has dismissed the allegations as “fake news” as the vitriol between the two sides escalates.

Logistics for Success: How Jana Post is Developing E-Commerce in Central Asia

An IT initiative in Kazakhstan is helping drive the rapid rise in e-commerce in Central Asia.

The Taliban’s ‘Successful’ 2025 Was Anything But

Last year was actually one of increased isolation, regional tensions, and strategic failure.

Today Trump Is Talking to a Different North Korea

The DPRK of 2025 is fundamentally different – and far more dangerous – than when Trump last met Kim Jong Un.

Why China Isn’t Worried About New US Sanctions on Iran

China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and it always has a tried-and-tested toolkit for evading sanctions enforcement.

What’s Behind the New India-France Defense R&D Pact?

India and France are embarking on a new phase in their bilateral strategic cooperation.

Pakistan’s IMF Program is Buying Time. Markets Want To Know What Comes Next.

Pakistan has stabilized under the latest IMF program. But can it break the crisis-bailout cycle once and for all?

Modi’s Pick for BJP Chief Is Little-Known Nitin Nabin

The appointment follows a recent trend of the Modi-Shah duo opting for low-profile leaders for key posts.

Hong Kong Fire: Can the Government Keep Its People Safe?

The fire has stirred emotions that will not be easily contained.

The Cambodia-Thailand Conflict: Can China’s Influence Tip the Scales?

Given Thailand and Cambodia’s close ties with China, it is necessary to assess how Beijing views the conflict and how its influence could shape the outcome.

Understanding China’s Controversy Over Sealing Petty Offense Records

Setting aside the conspiracy theories, the controversy exposes flaws in the legislature’s mechanisms for consulting and informing the public.

How China and the US Can Make AI Safer for Everyone

Trump and Xi have agreed in principle to AI talks. A “smart” security agenda would cut shared risk, not U.S. leverage.

How Southeast Asia Became the Scam Capital of the World

How did the online scam industry take root in Southeast Asia, and how did it grow to such massive proportions?

The US Raid on Venezuela: The View From Beijing

The U.S. capture of Maduro is likely to bolster, rather than undermine, deterrence across the Taiwan Strait.

How Israel’s Embassy Lost China

A case study of the tenure of Israel’s outgoing ambassador shows a lack of effort to engage with Chinese thought leaders or combat rising antisemitism – until it was too late.

Why Vietnam Is Elevating Foreign Affairs to a ‘Core, Frequent’ Mission

The Communist Party’s upcoming 14th National Congress is set to mark an important change in the country’s approach to foreign policy.

South Asia’s Debt Addiction

Rising debt has sparked a new battle for national sovereignty.

COP30 and China’s Tibetan Plateau Paradox

China’s stewardship of the Third Pole will shape not only Asia’s water security but the credibility of global climate cooperation.

As Saudi Crown Prince Visits Washington, What’s New Zealand’s Strategy for the Gulf?

For New Zealand, the six Gulf countries have also become increasingly essential – especially in trade, but also in wider strategic terms.

Try, Try Again: New Bills Submitted to Address the Jackson-Vanik Problem

Two new bills have been submitted to the U.S. Congress to deal the Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik amendment.

The 27th Amendment and Pakistan’s Emerging Military Posture

Don’t sleep on the 27th Amendment’s strategic reorientation of Pakistan’s defense architecture.

Bangladesh’s Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death

Hasina and her home minister have been found guilty of crimes against humanity during the mass uprising last year, resulting in the death of 1,400 people.

What Pakistan’s 2025 Army Reforms Really Mean for the Country

While army influence was previously exercised informally over its sister institutions, it has now been enshrined in law.

Can the US Help Prevent an Escalation in India-Pakistan Tensions?

If Washington can leverage the newfound momentum in its ties with Islamabad to prevent destabilizing behavior, it can play a productive role.

In Central Asia, Calls to Bring Back the Death Penalty Are Growing Louder

With violence against women and girls escalating to its most brutal expression – sexual assaults and murders of minors – people in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are reconsidering the abolition of the...

Mongolia’s MPP Taps Uchral Nyam-Osor as Chair

Will the change mark a new chapter for the ruling party, or is the promise of reform a facade?

China’s Naval Strategy With 3 Aircraft Carriers

The Fujian marks a new phase for China’s naval aviation capability.

Toy Seller’s Legal Battle Shines Spotlight on China’s Ultra Strict Gun Rules

A merchant selling “gel blasters” is the latest person to face serious criminal charges for possession of seemingly harmless guns.

The Latest Earthquake Was a Warning Sign: Bangladesh Isn’t Ready

The recent M5.5 earthquake occurred outside the better known seismic hazard zones and is a wake-up call to boost preparedness.

Taiwan Wants to Join AUKUS. That’s Impossible – and Irrelevant.

Taiwan doesn’t need AUKUS membership to strengthen Pillar II’s force multiplier effect.

How External Partners Should Engage in the South China Sea

Instead of challenging China’s maritime claims unilaterally, outside powers would do better to collaborate more closely with Southeast Asian claimant states.

Belarusian President Lukashenko Begins First Official Visit to Myanmar

As they have grown more alienated from the West, relations between the two repressive governments have blossomed.

Assam’s BJP-led Government Releases Nellie Massacre Reports Ahead of Elections

The two reports relate to the Nellie massacre of 1983, when mobs attacked villages inhabited by Bengali-origin Muslims, killing over 1,800 people.

Vietnamese Navy Vessel Pays Visit to Cambodian Naval Base

Vietnam People’s Navy is the second foreign navy that has been invited to the China-funded facilities at Ream Naval Base since their inauguration.

India’s Rare Earth Opportunity After the Trump-Xi Summit

The summit bought a year of time to combat China’s rare earth dominance. India is best positioned to take advantage.

How North Korea Uses Vietnam to Avoid UN Sanctions

Beyond China and Russia, Pyongyang relies on its lower-profile “small-node strategy” to diversify revenues. Vietnam is a case in point.

Bougainville Continues Its Struggle For Independence

The region voted overwhelmingly for independence from Papua New Guinea in 2019, but realizing this in practice has been far from straightforward.

Beyond Fiber-Optic Cables: Securing Seabed Before the Next Crisis

Communications cables are only part of the story. A far broader array of systems now covers the ocean floor – and must be protected.

The Quad Under Trump 2.0: Early Signs of Shift Amid Continuity

The first Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under the new U.S. administration suggested changes on at least three counts.

Salt Typhoon: China’s Attack on US Telecommunications Networks

It’s been called the “worst telecom hack” in U.S. history – and the United States wasn’t Salt Typhoon’s only target.

Wargaming China’s Dominance in Rare Earths and Critical Minerals

Insights from Finley Grimble.

A Mini-Detente Between Trump and Xi: What It Means for Central Asia

A brief pause in great-power rivalry opens a window for Central Asia.

Japan-South Korea Relations Under a Takaichi Sanae Government

How will Prime Minister Takaichi get along with the Lee Jae-myung administration?

Takaichi Government Moves to Expand Japan’s Defense Exports After Komeito’s Exit

With a willing partner in Nippon Ishin, the ruling LDP is advancing its defense export ambitions.

Kazakh Betting Law Saga Continues

Once signed into law, the Kazakh government will essentially discharge the most significant regulatory responsibilities in the betting industry to an unknown entity.

Mongolia’s Defector Dilemma: Navigating the Korea Divide

Mongolia’s bid to remain a neutral bridge between North and South Korea must find a way to balance idealism and pragmatism.

Bangladesh Tilts Toward China as Its Lead Economic Partner

While Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ visit to China was significant, there were no major breakthroughs.

France’s Political Dramas Threaten More Instability in Violence-Wracked New Caledonia

Political turmoil in Paris has hindered implementation of the Bougival Accord. In New Caledonia, the accord is also looking shaky.

Leading Vietnamese Scholar and Journalist Imprisoned for Critical Facebook Posts

Truong Huy San, who is better known by the pen name Huy Duc, was convicted of “abusing democratic freedoms.”

Growing Trust – and Trade – Between the US and Uzbekistan

An interview with Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov on U.S.-Uzbekistan economic relations.

Analyzing the State of Afghan Journalism

The Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile reports that the return of the Taliban has led to a substantial reduction in activity among Afghanistan’s once-vibrant media.

India-Bangladesh-Pakistan: South Asia’s Fateful Triangle

Bangladesh’s interim government’s outreach to Pakistan is of concern to India. But Dhaka’s ties with the two countries are not a zero-sum game.

North Korea’s Execution State: When Law Becomes a Tool of Terror

Public executions showcase that the death penalty in North Korea continues to function as a political tool.

A Busy Month for Central Asian Multilateralism

From a dinner at the White House and dozens of deals to a gathering in Tashkent, it’s been a busy diplomatic month for the Central Asian presidents.

Taliban Minister Muttaqi’s Visit to Deoband Seminary in India

He was mobbed at the seminary. The rockstar welcome he received should worry Delhi.

Could US Defense Cuts Affect Timor-Leste?

Trump’s policies may create uncertainties in Timor-Leste-U.S. relations, particularly in the defense realm.

Larry Diamond on the Importance of US Foreign Aid

“Ending aid is not a strategy to make America great again. It’s a strategy to make America resented and isolated in the world.”

Unlike Japan’s ‘Lost Decade,’ China’s Deflation Risk Is Going Global

China’s outward industrial surge will squeeze Indo-Pacific industries unless governments meet prices with policy.

Japan Is Sending Soldiers to Lithuania to Train Ukrainian Troops

The deployment, small as it is, marks a first for Japan in several ways.

It’s Time To Liven Up Compulsory Voting

Australia and Singapore, two of the 20-odd nations with compulsory voting, are set to go to the polls this weekend.

Pakistan’s Government Backs Down After Sindh Province Wracked by Anti-Canal Protests

Sindhis are taking to the streets to oppose controversial canals on the Indus River and government support for corporate farming.

China’s Property Market: Explaining the Boom and Bust

Before the real estate sector bottomed out, it catapulted hundreds of millions of Chinese into the middle class.

Chinese Citizen Journalist Who Reported on COVID-19 to Be Released After 3 Years

Fang Bin posted details about the pandemic situation in Wuhan in early 2020. He spent three years in jail for his efforts.

Mongolia’s 2025 Political Earthquake

Opposition revival and ruling party infighting reshaped Mongolia’s political landscape

The Chaos of Wage Theft in Bangladesh’s Garment Sector Requires Global Accountability

If wage theft and worker exploitation remains unresolved, Bangladesh’s development triumph will prove to be an empty miracle.

The DeepSeek Doctrine: How Chinese AI Could Shape Taiwan’s Future

Taiwan’s security in part rests on perceptions, particularly in the U.S., of its status. Should a generation of Americans emerge that is schooled and socialized by DeepSeek, the future for Taiwan...

Biden, Xi, and ‘Responsible Management’ of Atrocity Crimes

The U.S. should not give up on holding China to account for its human rights violations in the name of diplomatic progress.

New Littoral Combat Ship Completes Acceptance Trials

The future USS Indianapolis completed acceptance trials in Lake Michigan last month.

C5+1 Summit: What’s at Stake for the US and Central Asia

Kazakhstan and its neighbors continue to balance their ties with Washington alongside their deep economic and security links with Russia and China.

The New Red Scare: When Fear Becomes a Political Weapon

More than seven decades later, the legacies of the Red Scare have resurfaced in the United States – this time targeting China.

Where Afghanistan Fits in Iran’s Changing Regional Playbook

Afghanistan occupies a central position in Tehran’s changing playbook, as the country is both a risk and a buffer for Iran.

US Navy Littoral Combat Ship Fires Missiles

A littoral combat ship conducted a live-fire exercise off the coast of Virginia on May 11.

Voice of America Shutdown: Trump’s Gift to China

Boat Carrying More Than 70 Rohingya Lands in Indonesia’s Aceh Region

Last year saw a record number of Rohingya refugees set off by sea from the camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

Nepal Counts the Economic Cost of the Gen Z Uprising

The new government has tried to woo businesses, but it will take more than tax cuts and easy loans to convince them to make long-term bets.

Trump and Xi Revive the Ghost of the G2

A seemingly offhand remark from Trump signals the return – at least rhetorically – of an idea once proposed and dismissed by both Washington and Beijing.

What the LDP-Komeito Defeat Means for Japanese Foreign Policy

Increasing political instability will pose challenges to decisive leadership and give opposition parties more sway in specific situations.

Santorum and Foreign Policy

Rick Santorum shook the Republican primary race with three wins Tuesday. What would his foreign policy look like?

Is Anwar’s Two-Term Limit for PMs a Good Idea?

Despite the superficial appeal of the Malaysian leader’s proposal, term limits aren’t really the political cure that they purport to be.

How the Chinese State Mobilized Civil Society to Fight COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis pushed to the frontlines a civil society that is mobilized and led by the Chinese Communist Party, whether directly or indirectly.

Myanmar’s Minerals Deal

In the scramble for access to the nation’s rare earth deposits, a non-state armed group holds the cards.

Japanese Markets Look Poised to Prosper With New Government, China-US Trade Truce

With Takaichi’s government investing more in emerging tech, private equity markets could see further increases.

Cheng Li-wun’s Election Raises Questions for the KMT

Cheng’s position on cross-strait issues and reformist agenda pits her against more traditional members of the KMT.

US & Central Asia: What Is the C5+1?

On November 6, 2025, the Central Asian presidents will gather in Washington DC. The summit will be the crowning achievement for a decade-old format.

Beyond Hardware: The Message Behind Singapore’s New Defense Acquisitions

For Singapore, whose security rests as much on perception as on capability, defense modernization is not a discretionary choice. It is strategic signaling.

Why Pakistan’s Gwadar Should Not Leave Behind Its History and Heritage

Gwadar’s historic role as an ancient natural port and trading hub, marked by diverse communities and historic structures, must inform its future urban planning.

India’s Labor Mobility Revolution: Turning Demographics Into Diplomacy

A new bill represents India’s attempt to reimagine labor mobility as a cornerstone of economic diplomacy.

Independence Is ‘Destiny’: Toroama Wins Bougainville Presidential Election

Incumbent President Ishmael Toroama believes that Bougainville should gain independence from PNG in 2027. His strong election victory shows that most voters agree.

Under New Leadership, What’s Next for Japan?

It’s a been crazy few months in Japanese politics.

Japan’s New Government Boasts High Approval Ratings

New Prime Minister Takaichi enjoys far more support than her immediate predecessors in the early stages of their terms.

Politics and Climate Change

Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney seems to have cooled on climate change. Do they mean what they say, or said?

North Korea in Ukraine: What It Means for the World

It is time to examine not only the effects and effectiveness of North Korean troops in combat, but the wider implications for international security and conflict management.

Chinese Hackers Reportedly Target India’s Power Grid

A U.S.-based private cybersecurity company says Chinese hackers targeted seven Indian electrical dispatch and grid control centers near a disputed border.

Can Kazakhstan Stay the Course on Economic Reform?

As Astana moves from crisis management to long-term planning mode, the challenge will be whether the government can stick to its economic reform plans.

What’s Missing From Australia’s Gender Equality Strategy?

The male backlash to female empowerment is a locally and globally destabilizing force and should be directly addressed.

China’s Push to Advance Rural Revitalization

Xi is promoting a new vision to tackle long-standing problems like the rural-urban divide, food security, and poverty.

Afghan Women Footballers Flee to Pakistan

The Afghan National Girls Youth Football team, its coaches, and their families were facing threats from the Taliban.

Game Changer: Trump Approves South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Ambition

The decision will have major implications for the South Korea-U.S. alliance and beyond.

US Navy Christens New Littoral Combat Ship

The U.S. Navy’s latest warship was christened on April 14.

Pakistan and the Latest Reincarnation of Lashkar-e-Taiba

The India-Pakistan clashes of May 2025 hinged on the presence of Kashmir-focused militant groups in Pakistan – including one that claimed the Pahalgam attack. Where do these groups stand today?

From Vision to Capacity: Kazakhstan’s Push to Become a Eurasian Transit Hub

Kazakhstan has made 2025 a year of tangible achievements in its quest to become a Eurasian transit hub.

Philippine, UAE Have Applied for CPTPP Membership, Report Claims

The 12-nation trade pact is attracting prospective members eager to preserve the current global multilateral trading regime.

From Central Asia to Europe: What Is the Most Sustainable Transport Corridor?

A recent European study highlighted the Central Trans-Caspian Network as the best option to connect Central Asia with Europe.

When the Waters Rose: Taiwanese Solidarity in Guangfu

Within hours of the disastrous flood in Hualien County, volunteers poured in from across Taiwan.

US Navy Deploys Littoral Combat Ship Armed With New Naval Strike Missile to Pacific

The USS Gabrielle Giffords has deployed to the Indo-Pacific region earlier this month carrying a new over-the-horizon anti-ship missile.

China’s New Legislation on Deepfakes: Should the Rest of Asia Follow Suit?

China’s new regulations on deepfakes are the most comprehensive in the world. Will they provide a model for the rest of Asia to follow?

Can China’s New Charity Law Fix a Dismal Donation Rate?

Chinese charitable giving ranks at the bottom of the world. A new law aims to fix that.

Turning Off Starlink Coverage Won’t Destroy Myanmar’s Scam Centers

Cutting off the service could impact millions of civilians, while doing little to undermine the country’s criminal syndicates.

Asia’s Dual Scramble: Critical Minerals, Energy, and the Traders Holding It Together

With global supply chains under unprecedented strain, traders have a critical role to play.

The Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute Remains Unresolved

Despite last month’s “peace accord,” it is only a matter of time before the dispute flares into conflict once more.

Could Australia’s Economy Survive Trump’s Position on China?

On rules of international trade, Canberra is more aligned with Beijing than Washington. How could the next U.S. president impact the relationship?

Why Australia Needs International Students

International students make important contributions to Australia’s economy, soft power, and – though it’s often overlooked – urban development.

China, Australia and a Compliant New Normal?

Direct external coercion isn’t necessary if concern for Beijing’s sensitivities and compliance become the new normal.

Is This Central Asia’s Green Energy Reckoning?

When it comes to energy security, Central Asian governments have shown an ability to adapt to shifting global and domestic trends.

Does ASEAN Actually Matter?

This year’s summit reflects the prominent place that ASEAN occupies in Asia’s diplomatic calendar. But some say the organization has devolved into an ineffective talk-shop.

‘Dark Ads’ Challenge Truth and Democracy in Australia

Political inaction and big tech’s reluctance to protect users leave Australians vulnerable to a murky world of digital misinformation going into the election.

Philanthropy Cooperation: A Bright Spot in China-US Relations

At a time when many areas of the relationship are experiencing tensions, China and the U.S. have seen strengthened philanthropy cooperation ever since the outbreak of COVID-19.

Bandit Rule: Pakistan’s Burning Domestic Security Issue

It’s not just terrorism and militancy – criminal gangs are a serious problem in parts of Sindh and Punjab.

Lessons in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution From Fergana

The Fergana Valley’s transformation from a conflict zone into a unified entity with collective identity demonstrates that stability is achievable even amid global uncertainty.

China’s ‘Common Prosperity’ Campaign is Going to Be Tough Going

Fixing inequality would require fundamental change in China’s tax structure and state system – reforms highly unlikely under the current political system.

Bangladesh: Where the Smoke Meets the Sea

In southeastern Bangladesh, life goes on under the expanding shadow of coal and gas-fired power plants.

Is Christianity Marape’s Political Saving Grace in Papua New Guinea?

PNG, recently rocked by riots, is likely to declare itself a “Christian nation” in early 2024.

The Quad in an ‘America First’ World

Eight years after its resurrection, the Quad still faces a significant gap between ambition and capability.

India’s Tryst With Strategic Experimentation

For India, progress has often begun as a gamble. Appetite for experimentation could be its key strategic asset.

A Week in Chengdu

Our traveling correspondent finds a native animal almost too cute to bear.

A Conundrum for Australia’s Liberal Party

The country’s primary conservative party – the Liberal Party – is struggling to find resonance among the stability-minded Australian population.

Ahmede Hussain on Bangladesh After the Monsoon Revolution

“The most significant challenge facing Bangladesh right now isn’t from the street or the public, but from the ruling elites themselves, particularly some of the major political parties.”

Symbolic No More? China’s Evolving Policy Tools Against US Sanctions

China is modernizing its economic statecraft, mirroring Washington’s approach. How might Beijing leverage these evolving policy tools to navigate the ongoing trade and tech wars?

The Taliban’s False Amnesty

When they first captured Kabul back in 1996, the Taliban promised amnesty. It wasn’t a genuine offer then, and it isn’t now either.

Did Trump Kill the Quad?

Trump’s moves are casting doubt on the prospect of a Leaders Summit – and the future of the Quad itself.

Nuclear Tests and Their Legacy of Harms in Asia-Pacific

Nuclear “tests” are best conceptualized as environmental disasters with consequences that are still felt today, particularly in Oceania and Central Asia.

When Women Betray Women: The Female Face of Afghanistan’s Oppression

Taliban women willingly uphold and enforce the regime’s harsh ideology, fully embracing the strict roles assigned to them.

Indonesian Activists Protest Plans to Grant Former President Suharto ‘Hero’ Status

The proposal to recognize the authoritarian former leader is a sign of the historical revisionism that has gained momentum under President Prabowo Subianto.

Trump 2.0 and the Debilitating, Discharging, and Devitalizing of Korean Companies

The South Korea-U.S. economic partnership stands at a crossroads now that Trump is occupying the White House.

What the 2025 APEC Summit Means for South Korea’s AI Ambitions

The deliverables from the Gyeongju Summit emphasized the heavy emphasis that Seoul is placing on AI.

Bangladesh and Pakistan Are Changing South Asia’s Geopolitical Landscape

Their growing alliance will not bring stability to the region. Rather, it will raise the geopolitical temperature and provoke more Indian pressure on Bangladesh.

Indonesia’s Never-Ending Quest for a National Car

President Prabowo Subianto says the country will begin producing a home-grown car within three years, but a lot of details remain unclear.

Uzbekistan’s Water Crisis Spells Debts for Farmers

At a time when saving water has become a matter of vital importance, it is no less crucial to monitor how the allocated funds are used.

Hawai’i’s Role in the US Indo-Pacific Energy Security Dilemma

Hawai’i’s local energy infrastructure issues have major implications for the security of U.S. forces in the Pacific.

In the Philippines, Corruption Protests Continue to Hound the Marcos Administration

Despite the president’s promises to crack down on high-level corruption, the pressure on his government continues to build.

To Address China’s Assertive Behavior in the South China Sea, the Philippines Should Focus on Sustainability

There’s another way to tackle China’s exclusion of Filipino fisherfolk from the South China Sea: cutting off its access to the Philippine seafood market.

China: Blue Porcelain and Rare Earths

China’s mineral-rich clays are the raw material for world-renowned porcelain – and super-strong magnets.

Kazakhstan’s Pragmatic Road Toward Europe

Strengthening ties with the EU could recalibrate the country’s balancing act between Russia and the West, especially when it comes to sanctions enforcement.

Political Parties in Japan Rally Around Tax Cuts

The new consensus reflects the overwhelming appeal of a consumption tax cut. Will the LDP join the chorus?

Sanctions, the Taliban, and an Iranian Port: The Uncertain Future of India’s Kabul Route

India’s approach to the Taliban has gradually shifted from purely humanitarian aid to a focus on trade and transit.

Escalating Tensions, Fresh Clashes on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Border

After air strikes and fighting on the border, a ceasefire has been declared. But how long can it hold?

Lee and Xi Agree to Strengthen China-South Korea Relations

Amid the aggravated rivalry between the two great powers, South Korea seeks to restore its bilateral relations with China.

Sugarcane’s ‘Black Snow’ Is Worsening Bangkok’s Air Pollution Crisis

So far, the Thai government’s efforts to improve its air quality have failed to address the systemic causes of the problem.

Chinese Rhetoric on Okinawa and the Ryukyu Islands

Beijing is trying to drive a wedge between Okinawa and Tokyo.

Tunnels of Memory: Agent Orange and Vietnam’s Asymmetric Struggle for Justice

The Vietnam War, which came to an end 50 years ago this week, has been followed by a similarly lopsided war of historical memory.

Virtue and Vice Law Further Affirms Taliban’s Power in Afghanistan

With the new virtue and vice law, the Taliban are on track to take the country back to the norms of their late 1990s rule.

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders: How Global Schools Group Redefines Education

The international academic network champions innovation and inclusivity across 64 campuses and counting worldwide, preparing ethical citizens for a changing future.

Don’t Be Fooled by China Red Cross

Since the founding of the PRC, China Red Cross has existed to serve the Chinese Communist Party.

Myanmar’s Military Is Tightening Its Grip on Cyberspace

Tracking three major recent developments in the country’s junta-controlled digital sphere.

Czechia: China’s Punitive Silence on Replay

Beijing weaponizes communication channels to compel compliance, signal grievance, assert status, and inflict punishment.

Charities and Corruption in China

China’s Red Cross struggles with credibility issues even as it responds to the August 3 earthquake in Yunnan.

A New Name for New Delhi?

A BJP parliamentarian recently called for the renaming of the Indian capital as Indraprastha.

China’s Banner Year in Combat Aircraft

After massive developments in PLA aviation over the past year, it’s time for many observers to update their priors.

How to Save India-US Relations

Despite doubts about America at home, India must play a greater leadership role to safeguard the relationship over the next three years.

Singapore Introduces Mandatory Caning For Scamming Offenses

The move is the government’s latest attempt to combat a spike in financial fraud that has cost Singaporeans around $2.8 billion since 2020.

In Photos: Life on Cambodia’s Front Lines

Soldiers stand guard in Oddar Meanchey as civilians make the best of things after being evacuated to displacement camps during the border fighting in July.

New Zealand’s Recalibrated Foreign Policy at Play in Southeast Asia

Part of Wellington’s foreign policy reset seeks to reinforce ASEAN’s role in anchoring the wider region.

Rubio’s Nomination to Head US Diplomacy Bodes Well for Human Rights in China

The Florida senator has an opportunity to strengthen Donald Trump’s mixed record on holding Beijing accountable for abuses.

Afghanistan and the Long Shadow of Bagram

The former U.S. and Soviet air base has been a central location for empires for thousands of years. Does Trump truly understand its significance?

The Perils of Ignoring the Taliban Regime’s Support for Terror Groups

While Pakistan is bearing the brunt of terrorist attacks emanating from Afghanistan, the threat is wider. Regional and global peace is in peril.

Trump’s Foreign Policy Could Accelerate China’s Advance in Latin America

The administration’s approach to competition with China, and to global engagement more broadly, could unwittingly facilitate the extension of Beijing’s influence.

Afghanistan: It Can Never Be the Same

Photojournalist Lorenzo Tugnoli was in Afghanistan between 2019-2023, a pivotal time of transition and upheaval.

Will Lee Jae-myung Rise From South Korea’s Political Chaos?

Lee Jae-myung’s strategic bet – that he can leverage widespread public discontent without further deepening societal divisions – will pose a key test for South Korea’s democracy.

How Is Vietnam Navigating the New Trade War Era?

Can Vietnam adapt its economic model to this era of geopolitical fragmentation – or will it become collateral damage in someone else’s trade war?

Why India Must Accept Trump’s Offer of F-35 Combat Aircraft

The absence of a top-quality strike aircraft such as the F-35 is detracting from the IAF’s ability as a whole.

How China Spreads Authoritarian Practices Beyond Its Borders

China encourages autocratic practices in different ways that are tailored to local conditions. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are prime examples.

In Laos, USAID Freeze Hampers Vital Bomb Removal Efforts

With its sweeping aid cuts, the Trump administration has effectively ended U.S. efforts to address a deadly legacy of the Vietnam War.

What’s Japan’s Problem with Foreigners?

Anti-foreigner sentiment is on the rise as Japan wrestles with how to keep its identity intact amid plummeting birth rates.

Migration From Kashmir: Between Hope and Heartache

What unites those who leave the valley in search of jobs isn’t merely departure, it’s disillusionment.

Bilateral Bonhomie During PM Modi’s Visit to the Maldives

Hugs and handshakes are heartening. But India needs to ensure that “India Out” campaigns do not re-emerge.

Australia’s Confidence Problem

The biggest current question facing Australia may not be whether it can trust the U.S., but whether it can have the confidence to trust itself.

Adani’s Controversial Footprint in India’s Neighborhood (and Elsewhere)

The growth of the Adani Group, especially overseas, has mirrored Modi’s political ascendancy. As a result, controversy involving Adani projects causes backlash against India as a whole.

US Planned Ban on Chinese Technology in Undersea Cables: Implications for Southeast Asia

The securitization of undersea cables intensifies the strategic balancing act that the region’s governments must maintain.

The US Tightening of Commercial Driver’s License Regulations Hurts Central Asian Migrants

The U.S. has implemented stricter regulations for non-U.S. citizens applying for a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Is the United States Relitigating Its Grand Strategy?

What can be gleaned from the first month of the second Trump administration about the U.S. approach to world affairs?

Thailand Secretly Surrenders At Least 40 Uyghur Asylum Seekers to China

A decade-long ordeal ends with sneaky appeasement and a slap in the face of Marco Rubio.

Pahalgam Attack Tests West Asian Countries’ Neutrality

As the space for bilateral diplomacy shrinks, many in New Delhi will interpret the neutrality of third-party countries as a pro-Pakistan position.

How Kazakhstan Can Build a Non-Resource-Based Growth Model

A non-resource-based growth path, anchored in clean energy, logistics, agriculture, and industrial upgrading, is a strategic necessity for Kazakhstan.

With Fourth Plenum, Xi Jinping Dares the US to Fight

Just ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, a high-level CCP meeting set the tone by emphasizing China’s push for tech supremacy.

Earthquake Presents ASEAN With An Opportunity to Reimagine Its Approach to Aid in Myanmar

The Southeast Asian bloc’s preferred approach and mechanisms are ill-suited to Myanmar’s contested political realities.

Pakistan’s Generals Are Marching Toward Another Disaster

The military’s approach reflects a familiar pattern: engaging in external aggression to mask internal decay and disarray.

On Ishiba Visit, Japan and Philippines Pledge Further Security Cooperation

United by a shared unease about China’s growing maritime assertiveness, Manila and Tokyo have pledged to build on the substantial advances of recent years.

The Future of Japan’s Official Development Assistance Under Takaichi

Takaichi is recasting Japan’s relationship with ASEAN from one of development partnership to one of security cooperation.

French Polynesia’s New Pro-Independence Leadership

The coming political transition in the island territory will have national and international consequences.

China’s Restless Workers

Labor strikes are rising in China as weak demand sees factories shutter and workers’ pay cut.

New Caledonia: Two Dreams, One Political Future

While the immediate unrest has paused, Kanaks say that sustainable peace is dependent on their grievances being addressed.

What China’s Ethnic Nationalism Means for Australia

Protecting its citizens from the CCP’s extraterritorial reach will be a major test of the resilience of Australia’s liberal democracy.

Self-kidnappings by Chinese Students Abroad: Mystery Solved

The puzzle presented by these incidents can only be understood in the context of China’s police brutality and growing transnational repression.

When Central Asia Came to Washington

The Trump administration’s transactional style was on fully display, with savvy Central Asian businessmen just as keen to get in on a deal.

Rain and Rainbows: Taiwan Celebrates Pride as Hong Kong’s LGBTQ Rights Stall

As Taiwan marks its sixth year of marriage equality, Hong Kong’s LGBTQ community grapples with a significant legal defeat.

Trump’s G2 Moment: Dawn of a New World Order?

The emergence of a robust G-2 dialogue may signal a transition from a unipolar world to a bipolar one.

Pakistan’s TTP Problem: Why Military Solutions Continue to Fail

Despite tactical successes over two decades, the strategic failure to eliminate or significantly degrade the TTP threat reflects deeper problems in Pakistan’s approach to counterterrorism and...

The Remaking of the Indian Army Since Operation Sindoor

India has been rapidly restructuring its military, taking advantage of the fact that it is still technically on a war footing.

American Democracy Versus Chinese Governance: The Ultimate Contest

U.S. democracy is viewed as failing, while Chinese governance is seen as succeeding. And while Trump’s presidency may be a symptom of that trend, it’s not the cause.

Mark Chou on Australia’s Post-Election Political Outlook

The Australian election result “masks a more sobering political reality: that Albanese and Labor were increasingly unpopular not all that long ago.”

Behind the Marble Walls: A Glimpse Into Turkmenistan

A rare trip to one of the world’s most secretive and authoritarian states.

The Nuclear Test Ban: Time to Finish What We Started

Two decades after the CTBT’s signing, now is time for the world’s leading states to come together to finish what we started

Why Standing by South Korea’s Hanwha Is a US Imperative

When China sanctioned units of Hanwha Ocean for its shipbuilding activities in the U.S., Washington’s response was a welcome change.

US ASEAN Policy Must Be Rooted in Economics, Not Just Defense

Southeast Asian countries heavily prioritize economics and trade, yet U.S. government policies toward ASEAN have often targeted countering China first.

South Asia’s Cultural Climate Is at Risk. What Can the US Do?

Encouraging South Asian nations to protect their historic multiculturalism will help reduce human rights violations, protect religious and ethnic minorities, and promote peace and stability.

Continued Deterioration in Australia-China Relations Fuels Talk of Olympic Boycott

China’s economic coercion against Australia is lending fuel to calls for a boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Japan’s Stem Cell Awakening

Japan’s foray into regenerative medicine takes on added importance for a nation wrestling with age, stagnation, and its place in the world.

Democracy Disfigured: India’s Political Devolution

India’s political system has shifted from limited democracy to party democracy and finally to plebiscitary democracy, a trend that reached its epitome with Modi.

Santorum Withdrawal Reaction

Rick Santorum is out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. It won’t hurt foreign policy debate.

China’s Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Journey

As in some many cutting-edge sectors, China’s relationship with cryptocurrencies is defined by the competing forces of innovation and regulation.

China-based Hackers Breached Government and Individual Email Accounts, Microsoft Says

Microsoft said a group, dubbed Storm-0558, gained access to email accounts linked to 25 organizations, including Western European government agencies.

Funding Freedom in China: Time for Private Donors to Step Up

Many Chinese civil society organizations became reliant on now-frozen U.S. government aid after funding from private U.S. organizations dried up.

In Numbers: The Changing Composition of Populations in China, India, and Japan

A new DRI Trendlines looks at demographics of three leading Asian powers, and how key variables paint a complicated and, in large parts, pessimistic picture.

China Conducts South China Sea Patrol as US Defense Chief Visits Philippines

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pledged to bolster Manila’s capacity to push back against Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Tokayev’s ‘New Kazakhstan’: Rebranding the Old Guard?

Three years after announcing a “New Kazakhstan,” has Tokayev truly changed Central Asia’s leading economy?​

Amid Virus Fears, Clock Is Ticking for Companies Dependent on China Imports

The 2020 coronavirus scare comes at an already difficult time for many Chinese companies.

Making Sense of Bangladesh’s Monsoon Uprising

Six months ago, Asia’s Iron Lady, Sheikh Hasina, fell dramatically from power. What happened?

Why a Full-blown War Against the Taliban May Not Benefit Pakistan

The Pakistani economy is in dire straits. A prolonged war could bleed its economy further.

Asian Aviation: A Conversation With Matt Driskill

Where are travelers heading amid the post-pandemic shake-up of aviation trends?

Gi-Wook Shin on South Korea’s Political Maelstrom

The martial law episode – and all that followed – “reflects a broader global pattern of democratic erosion but also showcases Korea’s unique strengths.”

A Primer on The Resistance Front, the Group Behind the Pahalgam Attack

TRF is believed to be an offshoot of – or perhaps simply a front for – the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based armed group. That holds major implications for India’s response.

Chinese Hackers Blamed for Massive Microsoft Server Hack

The hack – believed to have initially targeted U.S. think tanks – eventually compromised hundreds of thousands of businesses and organizations.

Why the West Can’t Escape China’s Rare Earth Dominance – Yet

The pause on expert restrictions was neither the U.S. victory Trump proclaimed it to be nor the act of a supremely confident, unassailable China.

Taliban Rule Hits 4 Years as Global Divide Deepens

Despite the urgency of the crises in Afghanistan, the international community’s response has been fragmented and divided.

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Conducts Takeoffs and Landings Near Disputed Islands in the East China Sea

Japan must step up its response level to avoid becoming a “boiled frog.”

US Navy Littoral Combat Ship Arrives in Singapore for Rotational Deployment

The USS Montgomery arrived in Singapore on July 6 as part of a rotational deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

The Political Shakeup in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir

After the violence of October, a new prime minister is set to take office. Protesters say that won’t change their demands.

‘Golden Age’ of the Japan-US Alliance in the Shadow of Abe

When everything was said and done, their first meeting defied everyone’s expectations – in a good way.

Why Trump Should Have Raised China’s Transnational Repression With Xi Jinping

Even amid de-escalation efforts, there is strategic value to rebuffing Beijing’s overreach.

Why the New Hangor-Class Submarines Are Crucial for the Pakistan Navy

At a time when the Indian Navy is modernizing at a rapid pace, the Hangor class will provide the Pakistan Navy a fighting chance.

New Freedom-Class Littoral Combat Ship Completes Acceptance Trials

The future USS St. Louis completed acceptance trials on Lake Michigan this month.

Through the Tempest: The Philippines’ Defense Posture in Troubled Waters

Domestic challenges threaten to derail the military’s efforts to upgrade its capabilities and reorient itself toward new strategic priorities.

The Strategic Costs of US Exchange Program Cuts in Southeast Asia

Such programs are a cost-effective and proven form of partnership-building. Their loss will undermine U.S. influence in a crucial region of the Indo-Pacific.

Lee Jae-myung’s North Korea Policy Is Built on Outdated Assumptions

Every South Korean liberal president, including Lee, has built their North Korea policy on three assumptions. None of them still holds true.

Cambodia: The Unbearable Memory of the Khmer Rouge

April 17, 1975 – the day Phnom Penh fell – can perhaps never be fully reappropriated because of the strong sense of shame and pain that surrounds it.

Uzbekistan to Introduce Visa-Free Entry for US Citizens From January 1

Meanwhile, Uzbek citizens face one of the highest visa-refusal rates in the United States.

Inside the Story of America’s Failure to Disarm North Korea

Why has the U.S. failed time and again to forestall North Korea’s nuclear ambitions?

Takaichi and Trump: The Japan-US Alliance Under New Management

Insights from Jeffrey Hornung.

US Navy Commissions New Littoral Combat Ship

The U.S. Navy commissioned its latest littoral combat ship on May 26.

The Trump-Xi Summits, Then and Now: Trade, Taiwan, and Russia

Six years after their last meeting, the agenda looks the same – but the needle has moved on each of the three top issues.

Inside China’s Struggle for Influence in Central Asia

For Beijing, Central Asia is a testing ground for its foreign policy innovations – and a challenge.

Thailand Announces Plans to Trace ‘Gray Money’ Transactions Linked to Scams, Crime

The government suspects that suspicious financial flows may be contributing to the unusual strength of the baht, which is weighing on the Thai economy.

Thai Opposition Party Files No-Confidence Motion Against PM Paetongtarn

The People’s Party accuses the leader of incompetence, lack of qualifications, and being under the undue sway of her father Thaksin Shinawatra.

Unruly Israeli Visitors, Thai Resentment, and Potential Dangers

Israeli expats have become a dominant presence in the northern town of Pai, on the border with Myanmar’s Shan State.

South Korea’s Foreign Aid at a Crossroads Under Lee Jae-myung

Seoul’s development diplomacy faces a crisis of identity as anti-corruption probes collide with cultural soft power ambitions.

China Is No Excuse for Biden to Ignore Human Rights in India

The increasing inseparability of offline and online rights abuses is manifestly clear in India.

China’s New Regional Policy: A Challenge to the Indo-Pacific?

Beijing runs an old playbook. But this time it has competition.

People, Finance, Nature: What COP30 Means for Southeast Asia

After years of patchy progress, the upcoming U.N. conference offers an opportunity for the region to take significant strides toward its climate goals.

The China Factor in Australia-US Relations

Australia’s strategic footing remains shaped by decisions made elsewhere – like the upcoming Trump-Xi summit.

China’s Export Control Playbook: More Than Just Rare Earths

China’s evolving export control regime targets a broad spectrum of other mineral resources and advanced technologies beyond the widely discussed rare earths.

Can the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Bring China and the US Together?

With China expected to sign the treaty and the U.S. considering it, SEANWFZ could serve as a pathway for strategic dialogue.

Nuclear Subs and Bounded Autonomy: The Evolving Logic of the South Korea-US Alliance

Washington’s approval for Seoul’s SSNs was more signal than substance – but it reveals the shifting balance of trust and dependence shaping the alliance.

Renewables, Sustainable Growth and Competition in the East Asian Market

The proliferation of battery and other renewables technology firms is no guarantee of sustainability, just as profitability today does not promise innovation tomorrow.

The Evolution of ‘Made in China 2025’

Since the policy’s launch a decade ago, China’s industrial upgrade has widened to boost economic security and self-reliance.

The Messy Reality of Philippine Democracy

The Philippines may be a democratic inspiration, but it is also a warning.

Why Did the Mayor of Dushanbe Meet With Russian President Putin?

Rustam Emomali is also the chair of Tajikistan’s National Assembly and the son of the country’s president. His recent trip to Moscow is stirring talk, once again, of dynastic transition.

Reframing the French Indo-Pacific: La Réunion, France’s Strategic Outpost

La Réunion embodies France’s enduring presence in the Indian Ocean and its ambition to project influence across the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Myanmar’s Power Crisis and Energy Politics in the Dark

The military’s post-coup energy policy partnerships with China, Russia, and Thailand have done little to ease the hardship of those living under military rule.

Hundreds of Thousands Rally Against Corruption in the Philippines

The simmering public anger over corruption linked to flood control projects threatens to engulf the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Thailand Says US Trade Talks Still on Track, Despite Suspension of Cambodia Peace Deal

The outcome exposes the limits of using economic pressure to bring about a resolution of the border dispute between the two nations.

India’s Ruling Alliance Sweeps Major State Election Amidst Vote Fraud Allegations

The BJP-led NDA secured 202 of the 243 seats in the Bihar assembly. Opposition parties have pointed to collusion between the BJP and the national election panel.

Thai Attorney-General to Appeal Thaksin Lese-Majeste Acquittal

The former prime minister, currently serving a one-year prison sentence, remains under legal pressure from the country’s conservative establishment.

Philippines Hoping to Conclude South China Sea Code of Conduct in 2026

It remains to be seen whether ASEAN and China can finalize the long-awaited agreement by the previously agreed deadline of July 2026.

Takaichi’s Taiwan Remarks: Much Ado About Nothing?

Her recent comments do not represent a new commitment for Japan to defend Taiwan – or a departure from previous policy.

Good Neighbors: Australia, Indonesia Sign Security Treaty

The efforts the Australian government has made to build a cooperative and friendly relationship with Indonesia have been significant and important. But there’s more to be done.

How I Would Revolutionize Elections

A humble proposal that could encourage more electoral experimentation and produce a more diverse slate of representatives.

Myanmar Military’s Election Propaganda Reignites Boycott Campaign

A new pre-election film follows the junta’s long tradition of attempting to sow distrust and division among its opponents.

China Backs Pakistan’s Regional Ambitions as ‘All-Weather’ Ties Deepen

Beijing does not seem worried about Islamabad’s warming ties with the US at this stage.

Why the Pakistan Army Can’t Afford to Eliminate Imran Khan

Eliminating the immensely popular leader would not end the crisis; it would unleash one that the Pakistani state may not survive.

Turkic or Central Asian? Azerbaijan’s Entry Tests the Region’s Identity

What, exactly, is “Central Asia” today?

How Taiwan Views the China-Japan Spat

A war of perceptions over framings of Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi is taking shape in Taiwan.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s 5-hour Work Plan for Women: A Patriarchal Ploy?

Many Bangladeshis believe that this is a strategy of the Jamaat to send working women back home.

Trump Administration Ends Deportation Protections for Myanmar Immigrants

The Department of Homeland Security justified the decision on the grounds that the country has “made notable progress in governance and stability.”

Bangladesh’s Big Election Gamble

Will the simultaneous holding of a parliamentary vote and a constitutional referendum stabilize or strain the country’s transition?

What Australians Think of China and the US in the Trump Era

This year’s annual poll by UTS:ACRI shows skepticism of both major powers, and a strong desire for Australian autonomy.

India Quietly Exited Military Base in Tajikistan After Lease Lapsed

Given New Delhi’s limited defense budget, can India make do with logistical hubs and listening posts abroad rather than spending on a full-scale base?

India’s Exercise Trishul: Why Pakistan Should Be Worried

The Indian military has carried out several large-scale tri-service drills over the years, but the recent Trishul exercise was unique.

Asia’s Women on the Frontlines of Climate Change

“Despite its importance, women’s work is frequently undervalued and rendered invisible by government, private sector and donor-driven programs.”

Beyond Trade: China’s Political Power In Mexico

The U.S. strategy appears to have overlooked a central component of China’s influence in Mexico.

Semiconductors: China’s Industrial Policy Steamroller in Motion

At the heart of China’s semiconductor policy is a hybrid industrial system that blends centralized strategic direction with decentralized market competition.

Chinese Artificial General Intelligence: Myths and Misinformation

Insights from William C. Hannas and Huey-Meei Chang.

How Trump-Era Diplomacy Is Rewriting the Indo-Pacific Playbook

Sovereignty first, development second.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Are Forming a Transport and Transit Tandem

Tashkent’s transport strategy places great importance on cooperation with Turkmenistan, which has high transit potential due to its convenient location.

Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations Hinge on Their Ability to Tackle TTP

Pakistan’s aggression against the Taliban regime and threats to wage war if the TTP problem is not resolved point to frustration and anger in Islamabad.

IMEC and India’s Middle East Doctrine

Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad and John Calabrese examine India’s evolving strategy in the Middle East.

Understanding China’s Overreaction to Takaichi’s Taiwan Comments

Beijing’s response appeared entirely out of proportion – and that fits with a larger pattern in China-Japan relations.

How Will Japan’s New Leader Approach the North Korea Problem?

Like her predecessors, Takaichi has offered a summit to resolve the abductees issue. North Korea is unlikely to be interested.

In Kazakhstan, Both Pro- and Anti-Russian Voice Are Urged Toward Silence

A pro-Russian blogger was sentenced to nearly four years; meanwhile, an activist urging the boycotting of Russian artists was called in for a conversation.

Uzbekistan Agrees to Continue Supplying Afghanistan With Electricity

Meanwhile, Taliban officials said earlier this year that the CASA-1000 project would be completed in the next one to two years.

Palau’s President Pushes for Stronger Climate Action After New Zealand Weakens Methane Targets

For Palau and other Pacific Island nations, shifts in climate ambition by larger emitters raise concerns about global progress.

Kazakhstan: Another Blow to the LGBTQ Community and Freedom of Expression

Silencing minorities is never the way forward. Kazakhstan must remember its human rights commitments and immediately drop the legal changes.

North Korea Denounces South Korea-US Joint Fact Sheet

After Washington confirmed its support to Seoul’s development of an indigenous nuclear-powered submarine, Pyongyang released a statement criticizing the move.

Central Asia Chooses Consolidation Over Integration

Regional integration may become a matter for a future agenda, but the recent summit showcased a focus on cooperation and consolidation instead.

Japan’s Foreign Policy Under Takaichi: Steady as She Goes

Takaichi Sanae is looking to accelerate the changes that Abe set in motion over a decade ago, despite a host of new challenges.

What’s Behind India’s Political Rapprochement With the Taliban?

A path toward recognition or an instrument of influence?

India and Russia Test Their Strategic Nerves as Putin Heads to New Delhi

The past six months of high-level exchanges have been simply staged rehearsals for the Russian president’s long-awaited India visit.

Did China Really Launch the World’s First AI-Based Cyberattacks?

AI lab Anthropic claimed that Chinese-backed bots are conducting cyber espionage. Experts have questions.

Indonesia’s Defense Plans Remain a Mystery

Every month seems to bring a new Indonesian arms deal, but there is no updated and publicly accessible strategic document to tie them all together.

China-Japan Relations Strain as Takaichi’s Comments on Taiwan Trigger Diplomatic Firestorm

Calls for China’s consul general to be declared persona non grata and expelled from Japan are rising.

Philippines’ Pig Butchering Poster Girl Gets Life in Prison

Onetime small town mayor Alice Guo sentenced under anti-trafficking laws.

Battle of History: China, Taiwan and the October 25th Clash

Beijing is looking for an opportunity to exploit differing views of history.

The Plight of Pacific Island Nations Under The Trump Administration

A litmus test for the post-US world order.

Trade After Trump: How India and EU Are Rewiring Global Commerce

The implications of the India-EU FTA extend beyond Brussels and New Delhi.

Japan and South Korea: Competition and Cooperation

In a complex world, the two neighbors are gradually coming to a new understanding.

Living and Dying on The Edge of The Dump

Landfill deaths in the Philippines’ Cebu City spur calls for reforms

Indonesia’s Retail Investment Boom

The opportunity is real, but so are the risks.

If China is an Engineering State and the US a Lawyerly Society, What is India?

India’s infrastructure push shows that a country can combine the best of both worlds—characteristics of a lawyerly society and the practices of an engineering state.

Uzbekistan Eyes March 2026 Accession to the WTO

Tashkent’s progress with the WTO accelerated in 2023 and the finish line is in sight.

Ex-Philippine Mayor Sentenced to Life in Prison For Involvement in Cyberscams

Alice Guo is accused of faking Philippine nationality in order to win election in Bamban, a small agricultural town north of the capital Manila.

Inside China’s Rare Earth Empire: The Hidden Costs in Myanmar

Welcome to the dirty side of rare earths, which ironically are key to the “clean energy” transition.

China’s Fujian: A Milestone, Not the Endpoint, of Naval Modernization

Advanced EMALS technology and a next-generation air wing position Beijing for far-reaching maritime influence — but major operational challenges remain.

China’s AI Push in the Persian Gulf Region

Chinese AI companies are changing the nature of China’s influence in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

Why India Will Not Extradite Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka has sent India a note verbale requesting the extradition of the former PM, who has been found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death.

Why Did Australia Drop Its Bid to Host the COP31 Climate Talks?

Australia gave up its hosting bid in a deal with rival Turkiye. The backdown is a significant economic and diplomatic blow.

Kyrgyz Authorities Arrest Alleged Protest Plotters Ahead of Election

Once again, the Kyrgyz government has cried wolf as an election approached.

In Uzbekistan, Local Development Without Local Democracy

A new scheme to allocate funds for mahalla-level infrastructure is unlikely to cater to actual local needs.

A Philippine Youth Climate Activist on a Deadly COP30

Performative ambition failed the Global South – again.

Takaichi’s Growth Gamble: The 30-Year JGB Is Flashing a Warning

Japan’s resilience, despite the world’s highest public debt ratio, stems from its debt structure. But the conditions undergirding that structure are changing.

UN Declares Detention of Rohingya Leader Arbitrary

Dil Mohammed has been detained in Bangladesh since January 2023. The WGAD just ruled that his incarceration “lacks any legal basis and is thus arbitrary.”

No Cover-up in Soccer Documents Forgery Probe, Malaysia’s PM Anwar Says

The Football Association of Malaysia has been accused of using fraudulent documents to induct seven foreign-born players onto the national soccer team.

Delhi Explosion and India’s Counterterrorism Response

Without a new, holistic approach, India will continue to lag in achieving its goal of ending terrorism.

Hongqi Bridge Collapse Is a Warning. China’s Leaders Should Listen.

Poor-quality construction continues to plague China because the incentives haven’t changed.

How BlackBerry Became Canada’s Indo-Pacific Cybersecurity Anchor

A Canadian company left for dead in 2016 is now advancing Ottawa’s regional interests more effectively than many government initiatives.

How the Trump-Xi Summit Led to a Blow up in China-Japan Ties

A tactical truce with the United States has redirected China’s coercive pressure toward Tokyo and across the Taiwan Strait.

Thailand Seizes $300M in Assets as Scam Crackdown Deepens

Bangkok appears determined to clamp down on Cambodia-based scam syndicates, but allegations of high-level Thai involvement continue to dog Prime Minister Anutin.

Chairman of Indonesia’s Largest Islamic Group Rejects Calls to Resign

Yahya Cholil Staquf, the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, is accused of inviting a pro-Israeli speaker to appear at an internal event in August.

Why Bihar’s Election Wasn’t a ‘Win’ for Women in Democracy

Yes, women had jaw-dropping voter turnout – but that shouldn’t obscure the dismally low number of female candidates.

America’s Asia Strategy Has an HBCU Problem

The underrepresentation of Black Americans in U.S.-Asia relations carries strategic consequences for America’s future in the Indo-Pacific.

To Vote or Not to Vote for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami

Bangladeshis have not forgotten the Jamaat’s role in the horrific violence of 1971. But they want change, a shift away from corruption

Is Politics Dead in Kyrgyzstan?

As snap parliamentary elections approach, there’s a distinct lack of energy or interest.

Type 076 Warship Highlights PLA’s Shift Toward Unmanned Aerial Dominance

The integration of China’s drone technology with its new amphibious assault ships reflects its military modernization and shift in strategic focus.

Sri Lanka’s Defense Upgrade Cannot Rely on Foreign Donations Only

Its military modernization should be shaped by a coherent, long-term acquisition plan, rather than what external partners are willing to donate.

How China Is Using Brazil to Reshape Power in the Americas

China is entrenching itself in the Brazilian industrial base and consumer economy, with implications for Chinese influence across the continent.

China Will Help Rebuild Ukraine – But That Comes With Risks

Other examples of European countries beholden to Chinese funding carry a cautionary tale.

Bali: Killing Fields in a Tropical Paradise

Bali’s beaches, bars, and luxury resorts hide a chilling past: 60 years ago, these were execution sites and mass graves.

Don’t Call It a Deal Just Yet: South Korea to Pursue Nuclear-powered Submarines

There’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty as to what was actually agreed to.

China’s Sahel Gamble Falters as Insurgencies Rage

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have become a new epicenter for global terrorism – and China’s Belt and Road projects have become prime targets.

Conflict, Crime, and SLAPPs in Southeast Asia

A conversation with Singaporean human rights lawyer M. Ravi.

Electoral Roll Revision in India Sparks Widespread Social Anxieties

The Special Intensive Revision of the voters list across 12 Indian states could potentially lead to sharpening of the communal divide.

Gender and the Political Economy of the Asian Sports Media

Representation drives engagement, engagement determines investment, and investment reproduces patterns of representation.

FIFA to Investigate Malaysian Football Body Over Document Forgery Scandal

The global sporting body alleges that seven foreign-born players used false documents to gain entry to the Malaysian national soccer team.

Myanmar Junta Announces Raids on Second Major Online Scamming Hub

The crackdown at Shwe Kokko marks an extension of the junta’s anti-scam campaign, but there are reasons to be skeptical.

Sleepless at the Top: Takaichi’s Work Ethic Highlights Japan’s Overwork Problem

Overwork and karoshi – death from overwork – remain deeply sensitive issues in Japan.

Why Have Baloch Separatists Not Weaponized Drones Yet?

Until they secure relevant technical capabilities to weaponize drones either by external knowledge transfer or internal learning, they may engage in strategic patience.

Is the GoTo-Grab Merger Finally Going to Happen?

The possible involvement of the Indonesian state investment fund Danantara could remove one of the primary roadblocks to a merger.

If Workers Can’t Speak, CSR is Just PR

Corporate social responsibility has failed because it has sidelined the people it claims to protect: the workers

Why Has the Taliban Stopped Trade with Pakistan?

The more hostile and uncompromising Pakistan’s approach becomes, the more likely Afghanistan is to accelerate its search for alternative trade routes and partners.

Why Is Tajikistan Recalibrating Its Approach Toward the Taliban?

Tajikistan was a key external supporter of the Taliban’s opposition; its recent shift marks a departure from that role.

Pakistan and the New World Order: Why an Old Mindset Cannot Survive a New Era

It could craft a new vision that honors the sovereignty of its neighbors and focuses on economic revival rather than regional conflict. Or hold onto outdated patterns of confrontation.

Australia Revokes Visa of South African Neo-Nazi

At some point, liberal democracies have to draw a line about what they will and will not tolerate – and find ways to defend their open societies without destroying them in the process.

India’s New Rules to Tackle Deepfakes Look Good, But Are Hard to Put in Action

The proposed rules to address the menace of deepfakes are technically unfeasible, socially naïve, and legally clumsy.

Why Beijing Won’t Be Emboldened by the ‘Venezuela Precedent’

China’s coercion threshold is set by its own internal logic – not by external “precedents.”

The Murky Future of Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party

With an election on the horizon, the party’s electoral appeal is waning, with neither powerful policy pledges nor inspiring leadership in sight.

Unregulated Mining Boom Pouring Toxins Into Southeast Asian Rivers: Report

According to the Washington-based Stimson Center, the past decade has seem a spike in unregulated mining activity in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.

What the Liberal Party Is Missing About Australia’s Energy Future

For the last decade and a half, the Liberal Party has been tying itself in knots over energy policy. The world is moving on.

South Korea Eyes Defense Exports to Europe, Middle East

Seoul had apparently picked two priority regions in its quest to become a top-four global defense exporter.

From Early Jewish Refugees to Afghan Neighbors: Don’t Punish a People for One Man’s Crime

Following a crime committed by one man, Afghans as a group were recast as an “enemy within.” This pattern is not new.

Voters Favor Presidential Allies Amid ‘Stifled’ Political Scene in Kyrgyzstan

A quiet campaign resulted in low turnout for the election of a diminished parliament.

China vs. Korea: Who Is Winning the Battery Battle in Hungary?

What began as a Korean-led success story is now transforming into a live demonstration of how quickly – and how decisively – Chinese firms can reshape high-tech markets.

What Hindu Nationalists Really Believe

Hindu nationalism has become the dominant political ideology in India today. What does it actually mean?

Pakistan: Entrenchment of the Pretorian Guard

The 27th Amendment severely undermines democracy, reshapes the military chain of command, and weakens civilian oversight of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.

‘Autocracy 2.0’: How China Reinvented Tyranny for the Innovation Age

Insights from Jennifer Lind.

Trump’s Deportations Threaten the US Relationship With the Pacific, and China Seeks to Capitalize

Increased deportations and unequal and growingly restrictive visa policies are jeopardizing the trust built by decades of hosting Pacific Islanders – while China moves in the opposite direction.

Dysfunctional Checks and Balances Are to Blame for Hong Kong’s Devastating Fire – Not Bamboo Scaffolding

Residents had been complaining about fire safety for over a year. That their concerns were neglected raises serious questions about oversight in Hong Kong.

China and Russia Seek to Deepen Defense and Security Cooperation

Do not cling to hopes that either China or Russia will moderate the other.

China’s Low Rights Model Goes Global

China achieved manufacturing dominance thanks to its weaker protections for workers, communities, and the environment. Now it’s exporting that model.

Gaza Peacekeeping: Pakistan’s Delicate Balancing Act Between the US and the Muslim World

Pakistani Defense Minister Asif has declared publicly that Pakistan will not participate in any arrangement that involves disarming Hamas.

What Intensified Trade With China Has Meant for Border Communities in Kazakhstan

While border areas in eastern Kazakhstan have experienced a boom in economic activities, local community concerns and experiences remain widely neglected.

As Bengal Elections Near, a Battle Over Bengali Patriotic Songs Grows Shriller

The BJP is using the 150th anniversary of India’s national song, “Vande Mataram,” to polarize society and win votes.

China’s ‘White Paper’ Protests: 3 Years Later

More than 100 people were arrested over the White Paper protests. Three years later, the status of many of those people remains unknown.

Strategic Priorities for ASEAN’s Newest Member

Membership of ASEAN brings Timor-Leste political visibility and economic opportunity, but also new exposure to disputes.

Climate Change, COP30, and Where the World Goes From Here

Energy analyst Peter Kiernan says the conference wasn’t all bad but emission targets are unlikely to be met.

Silent Streets and Shifting Norms: Japan’s Weakening Pacifist Movement

Takaichi’s forward-leaning stance on Taiwan reflects the Japanese public’s decreased opposition to such rhetoric.

Myanmar’s Military Prepares to Enact Its Election Plan

The junta’s polls, which will be held in three phases starting on December 28, are intended to strengthen military rule by erecting a façade of civilian government.

Balochistan Enacts New Law to Criminalize Child Marriage

The legislation sets 18 as the legal age for marriage for both males and females, but effective implementation will require significant reforms.

James Chin on the Shifting Political Sands in Malaysia’s Sabah State

Last month’s state election delivered a “a vote for Sabah nationalism” and a major defeat for peninsula-based parties.

Nepal’s Steady But Fragile March to the March Polls

The Nepali Congress is on board and voter enthusiasm is running high. But powerful actors could undermine the vote.

Strengthening the Astana-Tashkent Axis

Central Asia’s emerging regional architecture, its drivers, and the barriers to future progress.

From Dialogue to Agency: Central Asia’s Strategic Transformation?

With the full inclusion of Azerbaijan and moves toward institutionalization, the region is shifting from loose consultation to a cohesive geopolitical community.

Australia’s National AI Plan Has Just Been Released. Who Exactly Will Benefit?

The plan’s primary goal seems to be attracting international data center investment – even at the cost of abandoning regulation.

Never Say Never: The Coming Rapprochement of Taiwan and Elon Musk?

Changing geopolitics and tech supply chain competition may bring the two back from estrangement sooner rather than later. After all, they really need each other.

A Triangle Across Oceans: Australia, Canada, and India’s Minilateral Experiment

Trilateral arrangements are not uncommon in the Indo-Pacific, but this one stands apart for three reasons.

Lee Jae-myung’s Latest Policy Signals to North Korea

Lee has downgraded “denuclearization” as a goal. Will it be enough to attract interest from Pyongyang?

Corruption Allegations and Family Drama Hound Philippine President Marcos

Despite the corruption allegations against him, Marcos has so far survived the crisis, but his presidency has been weakened.

Kazakhstan’s Orda.kz Raided, Editor Placed Under House Arrest

Pressure has allegedly been mounting for months on the popular outlet.

ADB’s Emphasis on Critical Minerals Sparks Fear in Philippines

The ADB’s new program fits right into the Philippine government’s plans for transition mining – to the detriment of Indigenous communities.

The Outlook for China-US Strategic Competition in 2026

Insights from Sarah M. Beran.

Are Uzbekistan’s Peacebuilding Efforts Sustainable in Central Asia?

The underlying challenges to lasting peace along Central Asia’s borders lie in the fundamentally top-down structure of regional diplomacy.

South Korea’s Fractured Democracy: One Year After Martial Law

The country’s political polarization has metastasized. What can be done?

Tajikistan Launches National Messenger ORIZ Amid Surveillance Concerns

The government’s push for “digital sovereignty” follows similar efforts in Russia and Kazakhstan, raising fears about expanded state monitoring in a country with a dismal human rights record.

As Cyclone Ditwah Recedes, Sri Lanka Confronts the Failures That Made a Disaster Inevitable

The total economic losses incurred are estimated to be around $6-$7 billion. This is more than the country’s foreign reserves.

Nokundi Bombing: A Threat to Pakistan’s Economic and Strategic Future

The attack targeted foreign nationals working on mining projects in Balochistan’s mineral-rich Chagai district.

Totalitarianism in China: Resurrected and Rejuvenated by Reform

Amid the political and economic changes of the early 2000s, it seemed unthinkable that China would revert back to Mao-era repression. But’s that’s exactly what happened.

One Year After Martial Law Debacle, South Korea’s New President Vows to Complete ‘Light Revolution’

In a special address, Lee Jae-myung expressed gratitude toward the citizens for their defense of Korean democracy.

Beyond Security Screening: What the National Guard Shooting Reveals About Afghan Resettlement

This incident is a reminder that individual acts of violence cannot be understood, or prevented, through security measures alone.

A Return to Nuclear Testing Looks Inevitable. Here’s How to Manage It.

A limited test ban would set important guardrails to manage escalation among nuclear weapons states, particularly the U.S., Russia, and China.

How China’s Smart City AI Is Moving Into Environmental Control

AI infrastructure is being repurposed to provide real-time ecological data – and changing the structure of urban environmental management.

Myanmar Junta Amnesties More Than 3,000 Political Prisoners in Advance of Election

The pardons are designed to ensure maximum support for the upcoming election, which has been widely criticized as a sham process designed to support military rule.

Bigger and Better: How China’s Fleet is Getting More Dangerous

The shrinking gap between China’s quantitative shipbuilding advantages and the quality of its fleet is a wake-up call for the United States.

Malaysia’s PM Calls for Calm After Conflict Reignites Between Thailand and Cambodia

A high-ranking Thai military official has announced that the army plans to “render Cambodia militarily ineffective for a long time.”

Authorities Struggle to Respond to Devastating Floods in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia

The deluges and flash floods of the past week have capped off an unusually destructive wet season in Southeast Asia.

The Oddities of Vietnam’s Property Market, Explained

Have the country’s real estate prices become untethered from the basic economic forces of supply and demand?

India Revives Old Partnership, Forges New One at G20 Summit

The current turbulence in global politics prompted IBSA to hold a summit for the first time in 14 years. India, Canada and Australia also announced a new trilateral grouping.

How Best to Defend Australia’s Democracy in the Digital Age?

A recent survey highlighted that less than a third of the Australian population believe that “people in government can be trusted.”

How China Turned Phone Games Into Stadium Spectacle

Chinese firms and regulators helped make the smartphone the country’s default entertainment device. Now mobile games are a flagship cultural industry.

China-India Relations in 2026: Can the Thaw Continue?

After a year of progress, China-India relations are advancing into a more difficult but more productive period.

The Variables of OPCON: What ‘Conditions’?

A look at how the definition of “Conditions-based OPCON Transition” has evolved over time.

Thai-US Critical Minerals MoU Sparks Backlash Amid Mounting Environmental Costs

As the evidence piles up, scientists are urging Southeast Asia’s governments to wake up to the rare earth pollution crisis.

Hat Yai Flooding Catastrophe a Massive Blow to Thailand’s PM Anutin

With a snap general election on the horizon, the Thai leader has been assailed for his government’s sluggish response to a disaster that has killed at least 267 people.

Is the Economic Crisis in Laos Coming to an End?

The kip has stabilized and inflation is dropping, but the issue of the government’s heavy external debt remains unresolved.

Thailand Extradites Prominent Montagnard Rights Activist to Vietnam

The extradition of Y Quynh Bdap, 33, is a sign of a growing crackdown on Vietnamese refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand, rights groups say.

Singapore Orders Tech Firms to Prevent Spoofing of Government Agencies

The Singapore Police Force says that it has detected an increase in the impersonation of agency names and the “gov.sg” SMS sender ID on major messaging platforms.

Myanmar Opium Cultivation Jumps to Highest Level Since 2015: UN

The country’s conflict is also having a countervailing impact on average poppy yields, which “sharply decreased” in 2025.

Xi’s New Language on Taiwan Alters the Diplomatic Starting Point

To anyone familiar with Beijing’s established discourse on Taiwan, Xi’s remarks to Trump represented a significant departure.

Xi’s Strategy to Win Taiwan Without Fighting

The West anticipates an invasion. Beijing trusts its 15th Five-Year Plan.

Outlook: Geopolitical Trends and Global Diplomacy in 2026

Insights from Younes El Ghazi.

China’s Taiwan Drills Are Crossing a New Line

Military exercises seek to erase vital buffer zone between China and Taiwan.

China’s Military Is Planning for Combat in Latin America

A recent wargame shines new light on China’s extensive dual-use infrastructure in the region.

How a 42-year-old Massacre Is Returning to Roil Assam’s Politics

The long-suppressed Tiwari Commission report on the 1983 Nellie massacre has finally been released, but early responses suggest it may ignite debate on demographic change rather than...

South Asia’s Strategic Shift: How India Lost the Diplomatic Initiative With Its Neighbors

Ideological rhetoric and security-centric diplomacy have undercut the trust India fostered with its neighbors via previous economic engagement.

Samoa Just Had An Election. Was China the Real Winner?

China’s influence operations in Samoa have been patient, persistent, and, as the election proved, profoundly effective.

Team Mongolia’s Athletic Prowess Makes a Splash on Netflix

Mongolia’s performance in the show “Physical: Asia” introduced the country – and its sporting prowess – to a new global audience.

Trump–Xi and Strategic Recalibration

The phone call and implications for the Indo-Pacific

From ‘Lost Decades’ to Populist Surge: Japan’s Unexpected Political Shift

Japan’s political calm may finally be ending.

What the Descent of India’s Biggest Airline Means for Its Booming Aviation Sector

By 2040, India’s passenger traffic is expected to grow six-fold, and exceed 1 billion. But consumer welfare can only be ensured with healthy competition in the industry and strong regulatory oversight.

India-China Engage in War of Words Over Arunachal Pradesh

Chinese officials detained an Indian national for 18 hours at Shanghai airport, claiming that her Indian passport was not valid as she is from Arunachal Pradesh.

Sheikh Hasina’s Spokesperson Mohammad Ali Arafat on the ICT’s ‘Legally Void’ Sentence

“The death sentence handed down by this kangaroo court is legally void.”

Laying Anchor Into Chinese Overseas Ports

Given the stakes, it is critical to chart a better course through China’s overseas ports presence.

Activists at the Forefront Against New Kazakh Law Targeting LGBTQ+ Rights

Activists opposed to a new law banning the spread of “LGBT propaganda” might already be subject to it.

Sri Lanka’s Problem Isn’t Military Boots on the Street

It’s the state’s inability to create civilian capacity.

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim Suffers Setback in Sabah State Election

The state poll was dominated by Sabah-based parties, reflecting growing disenchantment in the federal government and a growing desire for regional autonomy.

Why Indonesia Cancelled the Early Retirement of the Cirebon-1 Power Plant

As predicted, the early retirement of coal-fired power plants has run aground on the country’s political economic realities.

Tejas Crash in Dubai Raises Questions of Fighter Jet’s Reliability

Questions are being raised whether the Tejas light combat aircraft, like the MiG-21 before it, is an unreliable “flying coffin” or widow maker.”

Human Rights Violations Persist Under Bangladesh’s Interim Government

The regime change has not resulted in weakening the rampant abuse of human rights by state institutions.

Assem Mayar on the Taliban Regime’s Damming of Transboundary Rivers

“Pakistan’s opposition to dam building on the Kunar River and its tributaries is due to political rather than technical reasons.”

Malaysia’s Rare Earth Transition

An early adopter hopes to make “super magnets” for electric cars by 2030.

Singaporean Court Upholds Opposition Leader’s Conviction for Lying to Parliament

Pritam Singh of the Workers’ Party told the press that he was “disappointed” with the decision but accepted it “fully and without reservation.”

ICC Slaps Down Appeal Seeking Former Philippine President’s Release

Lawyers claimed that the Rodrigo Duterte’s illness and advanced age created “compelling humanitarian grounds” for his interim release to a third country.

Where Is the Mosque That Was to Replace the Demolished Babri Masjid?

The mosque that was to come up at Dhannipur remains on the drawing board. Meanwhile, a politician has promised to build a “replica” of the demolished mosque in West Bengal.

Unpacking the Local Impact of China’s Mega-Projects on Kyrgyzstan’s Regions

Too often opportunities concentrate within capital cities or designated special economic zones, and thereby render the rest of the country peripheral.

The Problem With Taiwan’s $40 Billion Defense Budget

The defense spending hike is a necessary step, but it avoids harder questions.

Nagaland Wants Unrestricted Entry of Foreign Nationals to Boost Tourism

Unlike Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram are not opposed to the Protected Area Permit given their concerns over the influx of refugees and rebels from Myanmar.

Kambarata-1 to See Joint Financing From Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan in 2026

2026 looks to be a pivotal year in which the trilateral hydropower project will either make serious steps forward or languish, as previous efforts have, in the void between ambition and reality.

Vietnam’s 2026 Budget, Explained

Strong economic performance sent government revenue soaring in 2025, putting the country in an enviable fiscal position.

Chinese Court Orders Malaysia Airlines to Pay Compensation Over Missing Flight MH370

With the search for MH370 set to resume on December 30, China has approved its first compensation claim involving the doomed aircraft.

Myanmar’s National Unity Government in 2025: A Series of Unfortunate Events?

More than four years after its establishment, the country’s opposition government has come under increasing pressure to reform.

Putin’s India Visit Reveals New Delhi’s Complicated Strategy

Amid difficult relations with the U.S., India is keen to show that it has other options.

Putin and Modi Affirm Russia-India Defense Relations

Three major areas of strategic concern were discussed in Delhi: defense purchases, nuclear power generation and space technology.

South Korea’s Unification Minister Is Not Happy With DMZ Administration

While Chung Dong-young’s political agenda is clear, his comments fail to recognize that the DMZ is governed by specific rules and procedures for important reasons.

India and the Indo-Pacific in Trump’s Second-term Strategy

The new National Security Strategy offers important insights into how a second Trump presidency views the Indo-Pacific and the role India is expected to play within it.

China’s Diplomatic Machinery Is Wearing Thin

China’s foreign policy bureaucracy faces a mounting succession crisis that will only multiply in 2026.

India at COP30: A Mismatch Between Grandstanding and Climate Action

India’s climate policy must demonstrate real achievements vis-à-vis fossil fuels while highlighting modest gains in the realm of green energy.

Thai and Cambodian Troops Again Clash Along Disputed Border

The two governments have accused the other of responsibility for a string of incidents that threaten to ignite another full-scale border conflict.

Changes to Brunei’s Land Ownership Laws Stoke Concerns, Uncertainty

Non-citizens, including established ethnic Chinese families, face the downgrade of freehold titles – some inherited over generations – into 30-to-60-year leases.

Turbulence Hits Indian Skies

Flight cancellations by India’s largest flight operator, IndiGo, threw the domestic aviation sector into chaos early this month.

The Bondi Beach Massacre: Links to the Philippines?

While the timing of the Australian attackers’ trip to the Philippines warrants scrutiny, the Islamic State’s presence in the country is much diminished today.

Vietnam’s Cautious Acceptance of Chinese 5G Technology

Recent agreements with Huawei and ZTE reflect economic pragmatism rather than a shift in strategic trust.

For Rohingya Women in Bangladesh, Digital Freedom Is a Distant Ideal

Life in the heaving camps around Cox’s Bazar is marked by a daily struggle for even basic connectivity and safety.

Indonesia Promises Action on Deforestation as Sumatra Flooding Toll Rises

Environmentalists say that the flash floods and landslides in Sumatra have been worsened by years of logging linked to mining operations.

ASEAN Between China and the US: Navigating a ‘No Single Power’ Global Order

Economic strategy can no longer be separated from geopolitics. How, then, should ASEAN position itself?

Want an Explanation for China’s Nuclear Build-up?

It’s not in the new white paper.

Why China Can’t Make Gwadar Work – Even After Billions Spent

Gwadar port has often been touted as CPEC’s “crown jewel.” Yet almost two decades after the port began operations, business has been lackluster.

From Theft to Labubu: The Evolution of Intellectual Property Protection in China

After decades of accusations over counterfeiting foreign brands, Chinese companies are now assuming dual roles: as not only IP violators, but also IP proprietors.

China and India’s National Strategy and Competition in Cislunar Space

The paths of China and India in space show how Asian space powers are fundamentally transforming the global distribution of capabilities and influence in cislunar space.

Thailand’s Aircraft Carrier, the Chakri Naruebet, Charts a New Course

The carrier has mostly been used for HADR missions, and debates about its utility have raged since it entered into service in 1997.

North Korean Leader Inspects Building of Nuclear Submarine

According to the North’s state-controlled media, Kim Jong Un guided the building of a nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine on December 25.

TRACECA Is Back: Kazakhstan and the Reconfiguration of Eurasian Trade Routes

The return to relevance of TRACECA is not due to the corridor becoming simpler or more efficient – but because Eurasia itself has become more complex.

Thailand Girds For Early 2026 Polls Amid Economic Stagnation

Months of political instability expected to ensue

Dictators Don’t Take Holidays

Myanmar’s generals are counting on Western governments overlooking the sham election that they have scheduled for December 28.

Bondi Shooting: Could Australia’s Worst Terrorist Attack on Home Soil Have Been Prevented?

After the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration, accusations arose that not enough has been done to protect Jewish Australians from a clear rise in antisemitism.

What Trump’s New National Security Strategy Means for India

It divides the world into spheres of influence, with one for the U.S. in the Western Hemisphere and one for China in Asia.

What the Disappearance of the ‘One China’ Policy From Trump’s 2025 NSS Means for Taiwan

Is Washington moving away from the formula that has governed the tenuous Taiwan Strait equilibrium for 50 years?

US Weapons Left Behind in Afghanistan Are Fueling Militancy in Pakistan

Taliban officials admit that at least half of the stockpile is now “unaccounted for.” Many of those weapons ended up with militant groups operating across Afghanistan’s borders.

The Sabah Duopoly and the Autonomy Ultimatum in East Malaysia

Peninsular-origin parties suffered a catastrophic rejection in the late November polls, while a local duopoly emerged in East Malaysia.

China’s Fiscal Winter Is Freezing Out Local Businesses

As local officials scour every corner for cash, businesses are taking the hit – in unpaid contracts.

Honduras’ Electoral Breakdown Has Deep Implications for China and Taiwan

The failure to declare a winner – when both top contenders had advocated for dropping relations with Beijing – is reopening the geopolitical map of Central America.

Kyrgyz Election Commission Tosses Results From District With Highest Turnout, Citing Violations

The commission says all 14 candidates won’t be permitted to run again for the seat, but a court could reverse that decision.

Does Australia Need Additional Hate Speech Laws?

Or does Australia need to recommit to the ideals of liberalism?

Malaysian Court Rejects Former PM Najib’s House Arrest Bid

The court ruled that while a royal order existed stating that the 72-year-old could serve his prison sentence at home, it was invalid and therefore not legally enforceable.

Why is Türkiye Interested in South Asia?

Although Türkiye is geographically distant from South Asia, it has a history of involvement in the region because of religion and geopolitics.

South Korea’s Labor Model and Its Strategic Consequences

A persistent labor-time gap reflects deeper features of Korea’s economic model rather than cultural habits alone.

China’s Quiet Stake in Post-Assad Syria

China’s approach to post-Assad Syria is defined less by opportunity than by caution.

Beyond the Fighting: Leadership and Scams in the Thailand-Cambodia Crisis

Online scamming operations are entangled in the conflict, but there is no evidence that they were causally responsible for the outbreak of fighting.

US Immigration Policy and the Normalization of Military Rule in Myanmar

The Department of Homeland Security’s claim that there has been “notable progress in governance and stability” in Myanmar borders on military propaganda.

How Asia’s Semiconductor Powerhouse Fits into ASEAN’s Strategic Future

With tensions between Tokyo and Beijing rising, ASEAN and Taiwan must balance economic integration with the political realities imposed by China’s growing assertiveness.

Timor-Leste’s Digital Statecraft

How Southeast Asia’s newest ASEAN member built a modern governance model.

Indian Navy’s Combat Aviation Capability Takes Wing

The MH-60R Romeo is widely regarded as the world’s premier all-weather, day and night-capable helicopter, designed for maritime operations.

Thailand, Cambodia Agree to Deployment of ASEAN Observers Ahead of Special Meeting

Despite an apparent lull yesterday evening, fighting continues to rage at various points along the two nations’ 817-kilometer border.

Myanmar Military Prosecuting More Than 200 Under Harsh Election Disruption Law

In July, the junta passed a law aiming to prevent the “obstruction” of the election that is due to begin on December 28.

A Forgotten Hostage Crisis: Bangladeshi Citizens in the Arakan Army’s Captivity

Far away from the scrutiny of the international community, the Arakan Army is holding hundreds of Bangladeshi citizens as hostages.

The $500 Mistake: Why International Students in Australia Are Selling Their Bank Accounts to Criminals

That “easy money” comes with a steep cost: a criminal record, a lifetime ban from Australia, and up to life imprisonment.

Hong Kong’s Grenfell Tower Moment: When Grief Became Sedition

As families sift through ashes and survivors call for accountability following a catastrophic building fire in Hong Kong, authorities have moved swiftly to silence dissent.

How Will China’s New Export Controls Impact Japan?

China has prohibited dual-use goods, including some rare earth elements, from being exported to Japan.

Saudis Also Fail to Defuse Pakistan-Afghan Taliban Crisis

Although the first round of talks was not successful, the Saudis will persist in their mediatory effort. Their prestige is on the line.

Why US-Indonesia Relations Stagnated in 2025

Southeast Asia’s most populous nation remains a blind-spot for the second Trump administration.

What Will 2026 Bring for China-US Relations?

2025 reset the rules of engagement between the two – and China was the relative winner.

The Modi Juggernaut Was Unstoppable in 2025

The BJP clinched victories in all three major elections this year: the assembly elections in the states of Delhi and Bihar as well as the vice presidential poll.

India’s Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls Is Claiming Lives

The exercise has rapidly deteriorated into a pressure cooker of impossible deadlines, sleepless nights, and unchecked administrative coercion, now actively claiming lives.

Former Japanese PM Ishiba Shigeru Has Thoughts on His Successor

Ishiba has critiqued current Prime Minister Takaichi for her Taiwan remarks, nuclear policy, and rice vouchers.

Hybridization of the Terror Threat in India

Recent incidents point to the use of advanced operational techniques and technologies, signaling an increasing hybridization of terrorist techniques, tactics, and procedures.

What Does China Want? Depends Which China You’re Talking About.

China gives conflicting signals because it has three different “personas”: Moral China, Defensive-Assertive China, and Striving China.

How China Now Talks About NATO and Why It Matters for the Asia-Pacific

Until 2021, statements about NATO in Chinese foreign and defense ministry press conferences were few and largely neutral in tone. Then the tone hardened.

Is China’s Real Estate Crisis Driving the Next Stage of Homegrown Innovation?

A closer look at the economic numbers suggests that a bad real estate industry is not all bad news for the Chinese economy.

China Intensifies ‘Three Warfares’ Targeting Japan Over Takaichi’s Taiwan Remarks

Beijing is intensifying its use of public opinion warfare, psychological warfare, and legal warfare against Japan.

Hong Kong’s Tragic Fire Shows the Consequences of a Hollowed-out Civil Society

The colossal failure of regulatory oversight across governmental departments is clear – and Hong Kong has quashed the civilian watchdogs that used to close the gaps.

US Steps up Defense Cooperation in Southeast Asia

Washington is making progress with a range of states: from staunch ally the Philippines to newer partner Vietnam and even Cambodia, where China’s influence dominates.

China’s New ‘Two-Front Strategy’ Against Japan and Taiwan

The use of both international lawfare and historical narrative warfare signals a major, under-recognized shift in China’s Taiwan strategy and its approach to Japan.

Xi Jinping’s Grip on the Military Is Getting Stronger, Not Weaker

Xi continues to eliminate factional networks that could eventually develop into rivals for PLA loyalty.

Japan’s Grim Demographic Reality

Can an anti-immigration turn really be compatible with a ‘Japan is Back’ narrative?

Trump’s Subtle Shift on China: From Economic Coercion to Military Confrontation

Trump may not entirely rule out a deal with Beijing, but the ongoing stalemates in Ukraine and Gaza are pushing him to seek breakthroughs elsewhere.

What Afghanistan Taught Us — And Why Libya May Be Lost If the Lesson Is Ignored

Modi-Putin Summit: More Style and Symbolism Than Substance

While not altering the global balance of power in any meaningful way, Putin’s visit might actually diminish India’s significance in the eyes of the West.

The Philippines in 2025: Corruption, Accountability, and the Marcos-Duterte Rift

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. came under growing pressure during the course of the year but managed to survive – at least for now.

Killing of Tajik Boy in Moscow Sparks Debate About Motive

After a 10-year-old Tajik boy was killed at a Moscow-area school last Tuesday, Dushanbe has spoken out, calling the attack an act of ethnic hatred, but have left bilateral relations unchanged.

What Will Drive Mongolian Politics and Economy in 2026?

In 2026, the Mongolian government will need to confront the challenges that made 2025 so tumultuous.

The Philippines in 2026: Can Marcos Restore Public Trust?

In 2025, Philippine politics was dominated by political feuds and rising public anger at high-level government corruption.

Malaysia Postpones Special ASEAN Meeting on Thailand-Cambodia Conflict

The move came as China’s government urged both nations to exercise “utmost restraint” and de-escalate tensions.

The Red Séance: How Xi Jinping Is Soft-Burying the Deng Era

The CCP’s resurrection of Hu Yaobang is not about greenlighting new reforms. It is about undermining Deng Xiaoping’s place in history.

Thailand-Cambodia Fighting Enters Second Week as Bangkok Spurns Attempts at Outside Mediation

The Royal Thai Army says there will be no ceasefire “until Cambodia ceases its hostilities and attacks against Thai troops and civilians in the border area.”

Military’s Popularity Surge Reshapes Pakistan’s Political Landscape After India Clashes

A recent survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan found that 93 percent of respondents felt their perception of the military had improved since the clashes.

India and China Reach Breakthrough Agreement on Border Tensions

The two sides have agreed on patrolling arrangements along their disputed border in the Himalayas.

Signs of a Shift in Canada-India Relations

The two sides have reportedly agreed to cooperate in ensuring accountability in the killing of Sikh separatist Nijjar.

Modi in the US: India’s Pursuit of Strategic Autonomy

Indian policymakers have aimed to take advantage of the significant strategic and economic opportunities arising from the rivalries and competition between the U.S. and China, as well as the U.S....

Putin’s Visit Strengthens India’s Strategic Autonomy Stance

Even as India tilts closer to the U.S., Russia continues to play a crucial role for Indian strategy.

Can the ASEAN Way Survive 2026?

Three stress tests will define 2026: intra-ASEAN conflict and cohesion, the geoeconomic squeeze, and climate resilience. Can the bloc survive the increased pressure?

Has Modi’s Diplomacy Undermined India’s National Interests?

No country repeated India’s claims or condemned Pakistan by name after the Pahalgam attack or during Operation Sindoor. Not one of India’s many “strategic partners” was on India’s side.

India’s Buildings Could Be a Big Part of Its Climate Solution

Integrating solar directly into buildings could turn homes and offices into decentralized power plants and cut emissions right where they begin.

India-Russia Set Ties on Economic Trajectory During Putin’s Visit

They stressed co-production and co-innovation, expansion of the export basket, finalizing an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union, and revitalizing connectivity projects.

Is India Recalibrating its Stance Toward Post-Hasina Bangladesh?

Recent statements by Indian Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister Jaishankar suggest that change could be in the air.

Low Turnout in Second Phase of Myanmar’s ‘Sham’ Election

Meanwhile, opportunist neighbors seek business ties with junta

Terrorists Target Tourist Hotspot in India’s Jammu and Kashmir

The Resistance Group, an affiliate of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the mass killings. How will India respond?

China and Pakistan Mull a Beijing-led Alternative to SAARC

How far can South Asian regional cooperation go without India on board?

Thailand Schedules Snap General Election For February 8

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is hoping to capitalize on the nationalist sentiment stirred up by the ongoing border conflict with Cambodia.

Mongolia and Cuba’s Diplomatic Relations: Past, Present, and Future

Ulaanbaatar’s Cuba diplomacy encapsulates the country’s past as well as its many changes in going from a socialist system to a multi-party democracy today.

Australia’s Social Media Age Ban Is Days Away. Here Is What It Really Means.

Public debate on the ban has focused on parenting choices. But the real issue is corporate compliance, technical design, and safe spaces for young people.

The Human Cost of the Largest Electoral Roll Revision Exercise in the World

After reports of suicides and deaths due to overwork, the Diplomat tracked several Booth Level Officers carrying out the Special Intensive Revision to understand the ground reality.

What a China-US Detente Mean for Japanese Foreign Policy

While the United States is refusing to lend Japan a helping hand, the intensity of the China-Japan confrontation is moving in a deeply worrying direction.

Even as US Travel Bans Expand, Turkmenistan Gets Good News

Unique among those countries subject to travel bans by the U.S. earlier this year, restrictions on the issuance of nonimmigrant visas to Turkmen citizens have been lifted.

Breaking the North Korea-Russia Missile Axis

The partnership has become a two-way relationship, with missile technology originally transferred to Russia being upgraded and sent back to North Korea.

COP30 and South Asia

Meera Gopal joins host Tushar Shetty to examine the outcomes of COP30 in Belém, Brazil and the implications for South Asia.

The US National Security Strategy: A Sobering Reality Check for South Asia

The paradoxical and selective U.S. posture of simultaneous disengagement and selective involvement evident in the new NSS could be particularly concerning for India.

A Moment of Reckoning for Australia at Bondi Beach

An effort needs to be made to comprehend and counteract the political ideas, narratives, and movements that work like acid to erode social trust and encourage hate, division, and this week’s...

Previewing North Korea’s Grand Strategy for 2026

Pyongyang will likely open room for a summit meeting with Washington while excluding dialogue opportunities with Seoul.

Dissecting Trump’s Remarkably Odd US National Security Strategy

Half as long as his previous administration’s NSS, Trump’s newly revealed strategy is perhaps the clearest (though still confusing) outline of the U.S. president’s worldview.

Japan Reacts to the New US National Security Strategy

The plan codifies demands for Japan to spend more on defense and increase its capabilities – efforts Japanese officials say are already underway.

China-US: A Rivalry Too Entangled to Decouple

Unlike its Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union, Washington’s rivalry with Beijing is constrained by mutual dependence and the high costs of economic separation.

The Ford-CATL Deal Should Become the Model for China-US Economic Cooperation

The relevant criterion for evaluating foreign technology partnerships should be ownership and control of domestic assets, not the national origin of licensed expertise.

Minxin Pei on China’s Return to Totalitarianism

“Xi Jinping himself – ideologically and politically – was committed to a form of totalitarian rule. And he was skillful enough, ruthless enough to bring it about.”

After the Subsidies: EVs and Lessons from China’s Industrial Policy

Looking closely at how China’s EV sector rose to global dominance offers the United States a chance to discern what to emulate, what to avoid, and how to compete.

With Khaleda Zia’s Passing, an Important Era in Bangladeshi Politics Has Ended

A former prime minister, Zia fought hard against Gen Ershad’s military rule. But her shutdowns and street protests weakened parliamentary democracy.

Australian Watchdog Sounds Alarm on Illicit Financial Networks

The promise of frictionless money has matured into something far more consequential: a liquidity system powerful enough to reorder economies, and elusive enough to escape the laws meant to govern it.

What Really Happened to Flight MH370?

The lack of information about the aircraft’s disappearance in 2014 has led to the emergence of a range of theories, from the plausible to the wildly speculative.

What Gulirano Kosimova’s Case Reveals About Accountability in Uzbekistan

For victims of abuse by state actors, accountability often stops at the courtroom door.

The Pacific Money Blog: 2025 Year in Review

From new state investment funds to U.S. tariffs, it has been a busy year for Southeast Asia’s economies.

Thailand, Cambodia Agree to Hold Ceasefire Talks on December 24

Due to high levels of bitterness and mistrust on both sides, the talks will be the first step on the long road back to peace and normalcy.

Australia: Regionalism as a Nexus to Great Power Politics

The alliance with the U.S. remains central to Canberra’s strategy, but it is also attempting to construct more independent, regionally-led security initiatives.

Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Publisher Convicted of Sedition in Major Blow to Press Freedom

Jimmy Lai and his Apple Daily once symbolized Hong Kong’s free press. His conviction under the National Security Law is the death knell for that democratic ideal.

Why Japan’s Economic Security Strategy Depends on a Deeper Pivot to Central Asia

​The upcoming C5+Japan Summit offers Tokyo its clearest opportunity in two decades to align its foreign policy with its economic-security needs.

What Pax Silica Reveals About India’s Vulnerability in Global Tech Supply Chains

A new U.S.-led alliance to secure semiconductor manufacturing highlights a deeper shift in global techno-geopolitics — and the scale of India’s dependence on foreign technology across chips,...

Aceh’s Bitter Lesson, Relearned

In 2004, Aceh was hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami. In 2025, Indonesia’s most disaster-aware province was among the worst hit by floods.

Japan, China Trade Accusations Over Radar Lock-on Near Okinawa

The potential is growing for China-Japan tensions to escalate into an actual armed clash.

What is Happening to North Korea’s Jangmadang Free Markets?

Will the Kim regime be successful in uprooting this core element of North Korea’s black market economy?

What’s at Stake for the China-South Korea Summit: Avoiding a 2nd THAAD Dispute

Lee’s visit is positive sign for China-South Korea relations. But both sides must heed the lessons from the THAAD dispute.

The Bondi Attack, the Islamic State, and the Price of Strategic Shortsightedness

The shooters’ actual connections to Islamic State groups in the Philippines may be tenuous, but the spotlight provides an opportunity to reflect on the group’s persistence and the importance of...

India’s Bangladesh Dilemma: Strategic Partner or Political Liability?

The challenge for India is no longer how to ensure Bangladesh’s stability, but how to engage a Bangladesh that is politically restless, socially mobilized, and strategically self-aware.

Indonesia-US Trade Agreement at Risk of Collapse, Report Claims

The Trump administration accuses Jakarta of “backtracking” on agreements to eliminate non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods.

Afghanistan’s Uncertain Gamble for Economic Survival

A struggling regime is caught between countervailing forces.

China Bets on Unmanned Stealth Bombers

China’s focus on advanced UAVs offers critical insights into the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s future airpower strategy.

Starmer Acknowledges Britain’s China Problem But Overestimates the UK’s Ability to Fix It

The real problem is not Britain’s lack of engagement with Beijing, but its shrinking leverage in a China-U.S. power dynamic that London has no power to shape.

Trump 2.0 Southeast Asia Strategy Tests Agency Beyond the US-China Prism

From trade deals to the South China Sea, states are navigating risks as they exercise agency amid shifting great power competition.

Accountability for Nepal’s China-built Pokhara Airport Has Begun

Nepal’s anti-corruption watchdog has filed a corruption case against 55 individuals and a Chinese company in relation to the construction of the $216 million airport.

Will Nepal’s September Uprising Transform the Ballot?

The elections set for March 2026 will test whether the political energy unleashed by the youth uprising can truly break free from transactional politics.

Rights Groups Condemn Myanmar Military Airstrike on Hospital

The attack in Rakhine State is part of an offensive that the junta has waged in the run-up to its contentious election on December 28.

In Asia, Political Power Is for Sale. Can Global Action Finally Rein It in?

Governments must now choose: keep political money largely hidden, or adopt the basic transparency needed to sustain public trust.

America’s Pharmaceutical Dependence on China Is a National Security Crisis

China controls a staggering portion of the United States’ pharmaceutical supply chain – and that means U.S. access to medicine can be weaponized.

Will Japan’s First Woman Prime Minister Finally Tackle Violence Against Women?

How Takaichi’s government addresses the implementation gap for existing laws will define whether her historic appointment translates into substantive progress for women’s safety.

France and Mauritius: Strengthening Ties in the Indian Ocean

With major powers like China and India asserting their ambitions in the Indian Ocean, France relies on partnerships with like-minded countries, including Mauritius, to maintain its influence.

Petition Against Kazakhstan’s Proposed ‘LGBTQ Propaganda’ Law Rejected

The law is set for consideration in the Senate next week.

AUKUS After AUSMIN: Why Canberra Must Read Washington Clearly

Washington’s political message remains supportive, but its strategic priorities no longer clearly align with the long-term demands of the partnership.

Palau’s Climate Paradox in the Age of Trump 2.0

The same U.S. administration Palau relies on for its security is openly dismissing the climate crisis that threatens Palau’s very existence.

Why China Is Watching Trump’s Venezuela Campaign Closely

U.S. intervention in Latin America could put China’s growing influence there in jeopardy. That might be the real goal.

Bangladesh’s Pivotal Election and Referendum Has a Date. Will Unrest Follow?

The stakes are high for Bangladesh’s first election since the 2024 student-led uprising.

Chinese Electric Buses Are Thriving in Europe – Despite Security and Forced Labor Concerns

Chinese electric bus manufacturers are using their membership in the U.N. Global Compact to deflect scrutiny from European regulators.

What to Make of North Korea’s End-of-Year Party Plenum

The plenum served as a primer for the bigger party congress that is yet to come.

What’s Really Changed in ‘New Uzbekistan’?

Since the 2016 death of the country’s first president, Islam Karimov, his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has strived to present himself as a reformer forging a “New Uzbekistan.”

Land Degradation and Tajikistan’s Food Security Crisis

The country’s small, fragmented farms and climate pressures threaten food security and economic stability.

Indonesia’s Floods: A Many-headed Serpent of Disaster

The immediate threat from Sumatra’s floods and landslides may be over, but for many survivors the ordeal is only just beginning.

India Speeds Up Civil Nuclear Sector Privatization

While the government is yet to divulge details, it is considering legislative amendments to relax rules related to the liability of operators and suppliers

‘Allocables’ and other Corruption Keywords in the Philippines

Our guide to the key concepts and phrases related to the country’s ever-widening graft scandal.

Thai Prime Minister Gains Royal Approval For Dissolution of Parliament

The move, which Anutin Charnvirakul said would “return power to the people,” will pave the way for a snap election in late January or early February.

Death Penalty Reinstatement ‘Legally Impossible,’ Kyrgyz Constitutional Court Says

Kyrgyzstan abolished capital punishment in 2007; President Japarov has suggested reinstating it as a way to confront horrific crimes against women and children.

What’s Behind China’s Trouble on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border?

An interview with Edward Lemon on the recent attacks targeting Chinese workers near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border.

North Korea Kicks off Workers’ Party Plenary Meeting

North Korea’s state-controlled media reported that Pyongyang began a plenary meeting to prepare for the upcoming Ninth Congress of the ruling WPK.

How Chinese Analysts Interpret Trump’s 2025 National Security Strategy

Far from celebrating an American retreat, Beijing’s strategists are reading the NSS as a blueprint for leaner – and potentially more dangerous – U.S. primacy.

The Takaichi Factor: Recalibrating the India-Japan Strategic Equation

With Japan entering a more security-driven and domestically oriented phase under Takaichi, India must adjust its approach to the relationship accordingly.

Myanmar Photojournalist Sai Zaw Should Be Able to Report Freely. He Should Not Be In Prison.

A colleague describes the reality of being a journalist in a country under military control and shares insights into Sai Zaw’s life in prison.

How Antisemitism Took Hold in China

Call it “Antisemitism 3.0” – ideological, narrative-driven, geopolitically functional antisemitism has spread throughout China, even without the religious or racial traditions that mark the...

Did the Pakistan Army Sell Pakistani Neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui to the US?

According to a human rights lawyer, the Pakistani army is not interested in securing her release, as that would implicate them in illegal activities they want to keep hidden.

Trump to Hold Peace Talks With Cambodian and Thai Leaders

The death toll is mounting after four days of fierce fighting and Thai aerial bombardments .

Allowing Nvidia to Sell H200 Chips to China Is a Mistake

The Trump administration’s decision risks undermining the U.S. in its protracted technology competition with China.

China’s ‘Low-Human-Rights’ Advantage

People in the West say they must avoid a new Cold War without realizing that they are already in one – and China is winning.

Should China Be Reassured by Trump’s National Security Strategy?

The NSS is likely to offer China short-term relief – but cause for long-term concern.

Forced Labor, Taiwan and the Implications of the US-Malaysia Trade Agreement

The new U.S.-Malaysia trade agreement’s forced labor import ban requirement may pose new risks for Taiwanese electronics firms. But it’s also an opportunity to make progress.

Invoking History: Xi Jinping’s Challenge to Okinawan Sovereignty and the US-Japan Alliance

Xi’s invocation of tributary history is less a claim over sovereignty than it is an attack on the U.S.-Japan alliance.

This War-era Humanitarian Rescue Story Undercuts North Korean Propaganda

The division of Korea will not last forever. The more North Koreans who know the truth about the Hungnam evacuation, the better.

Cambodia Counts the Costs of Its Border Conflict with Thailand

424 Cambodian troops have been wounded and 13 killed in one province alone since the outbreak of fighting on December 7.

The Return of Factional Conflict in South Korea’s Foreign Policy

Interministerial discord made a recent comeback, pitting the so-called “self-reliance faction” against the “pro-alliance faction” over how best to approach North Korea.

Thai Prosecutors Urged to Drop Malaysian Defamation Case Against Australian Journalist

Murray Hunter was expected to appear before a court in mid-December following his indictment but his trial was postponed. Instead he attended a four-hour Senate Committee hearing into enhancing...

The World Is Failing Cambodia (Again) – and This Time Everyone Is Suffering

Western strategic dissonance, U.N. cowardice, a gutted civil society, and cynical Thai aggression are providing cover for a weakened Hun Sen.

Has Nepal’s Second Biggest Party Just Committed Political Harakiri?

By electing the highly unpopular and recently ousted PM Oli as party chief, the CPN-UML has thumbed its nose at the Gen Z demand for fresh and young leaders.

US Government Removes Embargo on Arms Sales to Cambodia

The Department of Commerce’s ruling is the latest sign of the positive momentum in relations between Phnom Penh and Washington.

Philippines Claims Three Fishermen Injured in Skirmish With Chinese Coast Guard

Manila claims that around 20 fishing boats were hit with “water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers” close to Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.

What to Make of Australia’s Youth Social Media Ban?

The new policy restricts children under the age of 16 from having accounts on major social media platforms. It also positions Australia as a world leader on the issue.

Trump, Honduras, and the Monroe Doctrine 2.0

The United States is reasserting influence in Latin America – with a particular focus on China – through overt political signaling. Honduras is the most obvious test case.

German Diplomacy at a Time of Japan-China Tensions

Berlin is navigating a particularly tricky path.

Pakistan’s Worsening Threat Landscape in 2025

The TTP’s growing attacks in Pakistan from sanctuaries in Afghanistan led to serious frictions with Kabul. Attacks by Baloch insurgents became more audacious in 2025.

Thailand Releases 18 Cambodian POWs

Truce holds after allegations of breaches, Cambodia bans all drone flights.

Brothers’ War: TTP and the Pakistan-Taliban Conflict

Dr. Christine Fair joins host Tushar Shetty to explore Pakistan’s failing Afghanistan strategy and the escalating TTP crisis.

Jayalakshmi K on Why Delhi Becomes a Toxic Gas Chamber Every Winter

“There are enough and more rules and regulations in India to control pollution. What we need is for them to be enforced.

The Japan-China Joint Communiqué and the Question of Taiwan

A longstanding modus vivendi is reaching its limit.

China’s 2025 White Paper on Latin America Sets the Stage for Renewed Competition With the US

The new document declared China’s intention to expand its influence on all fronts, even as the U.S. is turning its focus to the Western Hemisphere.

National Cabinet Agrees to Sweeping Overhaul of Australia’s Gun Laws in Response to Bondi Massacre

After the attack on Australia’s Jewish community, the government is undertaking the biggest overhaul of national gun laws since 1996. Critics say it’s a deflection from the real issue: antisemitism.

A Blueprint for Cambodia-Thailand Peace: A Thai Perspective

A Thai scholar offers recommendation on how to build a lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand.

A Blueprint for Cambodia-Thailand Peace: A Cambodian Perspective

A Cambodian scholar offers recommendation on how to build a lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand.

Does It Matter That Trump Invited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to the 2026 G20 Summit?

As non-members, the G-20 has not been particularly relevant for either Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. What’s relevant is the U.S. president’s attention.

The Slow Transformation of Kazakhstan’s Independence Day

Thirty-nine years after the protests that helped pave the way for Kazakhstan’s independence, the way the day is commemorated is quietly changing.

How Indian Cinema Has Become a Patriotism Test

Appreciation or criticism of a movie is no longer interpreted primarily as an aesthetic or ethical judgment. It has become a marker of allegiance or opposition to the state.

Convergence Amid Divergence: America, China, and the Emerging Minimalist World Order

The world views of China and the U.S. have come into closer alignment in our current era. They go about the enactment of their policies in significantly different ways.

Milan-26: India’s Maritime Diplomacy Comes of Age

The “naval trifecta” in Visakhapatnam underlines India’s hard and soft power alike.

Modi Government Rings Death Knell of India’s Legal Right to Employment

The globally acclaimed MGNREGA, enacted when the Congress party was in power, has been replaced by a law that puts in place a discretionary scheme.

Why Is Myanmar’s Military Bothering to Hold an Election?

More than four years ago, the military ousted Myanmar’s freely elected government at gunpoint. The upcoming polls will be a total sham.

BNP’s Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh After 17 Years in Exile

The return of the BNP’s acting chairperson is expected to give the party a boost in the upcoming general elections.

Japan Accelerates Defense Buildup With Record Budget and Expanded Unmanned Capabilities

The draft defense budget sets a new spending record for the 12th straight year amid mounting regional threats and U.S. alliance pressure.

Japan’s Long Return to Artificial Intelligence

Once a pioneer that helped the world lay the foundations of machine learning, Japan’s renewed push into artificial intelligence reflects a search for economic resilience as much as technological relevance.

Why Mobs in Bangladesh Attacked the Offices of Daily Star and Prothom Alo

The targeted newspaper officers are considered to be pro-India and pro-Hasina by the country’s far right.

Cambodia, Thailand Willing to Deescalate Border Conflict, Chinese FM Says

Beijing is playing a more active mediation role after taking a relatively low diplomatic profile during the conflict’s first week.

US Arms Sales to Taiwan Signal Policy Continuity

While the Trump administration’s approach to Taiwan is continuing to coalesce, current signs indicate no dramatic departure from long-standing positions.

What Would OPCON Transfer Mean for the UN Command in Korea?

The ongoing transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) in the South Korea-U.S. alliance is structurally linked to the role and status of the UNC.

The Lee Jae-myung Administration’s 2025 in Review

It’s not perfect. But South Korea is returning to normalcy.

Trump 2.0’s National Security Strategy and the Future of the International Order

Welcome to the post-American world.

Rohingya Inclusion Is the True Test of Myanmar’s Future Democracy

The inclusion of the Rohingya is necessary if the United League of Arakan is to gain international legitimacy.

No, Hong Kong’s Governance Is Not Becoming Like China’s. It’s Actually Worse.

Hong Kong is stuck in a governance vacuum, where neither democratic nor authoritarian accountability functions effectively.

A Blood-Smuggling Scandal Reveals China’s Genetic Security Anxiety

A sprawling illegal trade in prenatal testing has triggered alarm – less about illegal sex selection than about who might end up with Chinese DNA.

Iran’s First SCO Military Exercise Solidifies Ties With China and Russia

“Sahand 2025” marks a major milestone in Tehran’s integration into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – and in its pursuit of greater international recognition.

Inside Hindu Nationalism: The Ideology Changing India

What is Hindu nationalism, really?

Vietnam’s Tourism Sector Set For Record Year in 2025

Despite a string of devastating storms in the second half of the year, foreign tourist arrivals have risen by more than a fifth.

The EU’s China Fault Line Runs Through Spain

Madrid’s stance on EV duties, pork retaliation, and 5G debates shows how one member state can steady the relationship with Beijing while straining EU cohesion.

The US Is Selling H200 AI Chips to China – So Why Isn’t China Buying?

China’s H200 curbs suggest a willingness to sacrifice short-term AI performance to escape dependence on the U.S. tech ecosystem.

Taiwan Is in the Middle of a Constitutional Crisis

Premier Cho Jung-tai’s refusal to sign legislation has brought to a head the simmering conflict between Taiwan’s executive and legislative branches.

The 3 AI Problem: How Chinese, European, and American Chatbots Reflect Diverging Worldviews

A test of the ideological biases of three leading AI models from China, Europe, and the U.S. returned some surprising results.

Kazakh Senate Approves Law Banning ‘LGBTQ’ Propaganda”

The law goes to President Tokayev next for signature.

India Doesn’t Know How Many Foreigners With Expired Visas Are in the Country

The ministry has often resorted to knee-jerk reactions while tackling illegal immigration, best evidenced by its policies in Assam.

Underground and in the Shadows: How Uzbekistan Lives With Its Radioactive Legacy

The lack of transparent monitoring data and public access to environmental information significantly increases risks for communities living near former uranium facilities.

Not China’s H-1B: The Rocky Road Ahead for the K Visa

What was billed as a significant step in China’s effort to attract global talent remains, for now, largely theoretical.

Bangladesh-India Relations Are Back on the Brink

Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a figure from the July Uprising, was allegedly shot by an Awami League activist, who has reportedly fled to India.

Despite the Thaw, Anti-Indian Sentiment Is on the Rise in China

Indians are becoming targets of Chinese popular nationalism, even amid efforts to mend ties between the governments.

South Korean President Reiterates Necessity of Tipping Balance on Inter-Korean Relations

During the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ policy briefing, Lee Jae-myung warned that the two Korea “are becoming true enemies.”

Russia’s Chinese-Enabled Drone Supply Network Is Remaking Warfare

UAV cooperation with China is rapidly transforming Russia’s capacity for sustained, cost-effective, and scalable warfare – with implications stretching from Europe to the Pacific Ocean.

Japan Voices Concerns as South Korea’s Hanwha Expands Stake in Australian Shipbuilder

The South Korean defense conglomerate will nearly double its stake in Austal, complicating efforts to protect Japanese technology and IP related to a new frigate.

Could Trump Sleepwalk Into a War Over Taiwan?

The administration’s new National Security Strategy has pushed the U.S. policy toward the island in a decidedly dangerous direction.

In Uzbekistan, ‘Farmers Have No Freedom’

A new report exposes abuse and exploitation of cotton and wheat farmers in Uzbekistan.

South Korea’s Delicate Balancing Act Amid China-Japan Discord

As frictions mount with each other, both Beijing and Tokyo are courting Seoul.

The Puzzling Death of Indian Singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore

Singapore authorities say there’s no sign of foul play. But Indian investigators have framed murder charges against four people.

Why the US Operation in Venezuela Raises the Risk of War on the Korean Peninsula

The extraction of a sovereign leader by U.S. special forces confirms Kim Jong Un’s deepest fear. That increases the risk of a miscalculation that could trigger nuclear war.

South Korea’s President Lee Meets China’s Xi

For the first time since 2017, the South Korean president made a state visit to Beijing to hold a meeting with the Chinese leader.

How Real Is China’s $1 Trillion-Plus Trade Surplus?

It’s been celebrated at home and criticized abroad. But there’s an important caveat to the record-breaking data.

China’s Military Reforms Since 2015: Is Time on Its Side?

The new reforms sought to better prepare the force for deterrence, warfighting, and non-war military actions. Have they been effective?

Transition Without Change: Kazakhstan’s Tokayev Era

Kazakhstan has undergone a transition of power without fundamental change in the regime.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Draws NCP and LDP Into an Islamist Alliance

It will help the party shed its baggage of having opposed Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971, and attract the support of young participants in the July uprising.

Iran and The Syndrome of Trembling Pens

How prison is constructed in the writer’s mind before the gavel falls

Australia, Japan Establish Strategic Defense Cooperation Framework

With the U.S. less reliable, Australia and Japan seek to deepen their friendship and cooperation, especially in the defense realm.

Burning Xi Jinping: Is Kazakh Rights Group Facing Its Final Days?

A group of activists set fire to a portrait of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the Chinese flag during a demonstration against the continued detention of ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang.

Thailand Says It Will Not Be Pressured on Border Conflict Ahead of ASEAN Meeting

In response growing diplomatic pressure, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the country “will act in the way we deem appropriate.”

Why Peace Keeps Failing on the Cambodia–Thailand Border

A resolution to the two nations’ acrimonious border dispute seems very remote amid their current conflict, but there could be one viable way forward.

International Court of Justice to Hear Rohingya Genocide Case Next Month

The outcome of the case could set important precedents for future ICJ genocide cases, including South Africa’s case against Israel.

PLA Sorties Around Taiwan: Fewer Aircraft, Higher Threat

Don’t let the quantitative changes mask the qualitative transformation.

South Korean President Meets Japanese Prime Minister

Three months after the South Korea-Japan summit meeting, the leaders met again in Nara Prefecture, Japan.

ASELSAN: Shaping the Future of Global Defense Technology

With cutting-edge innovations and strategic global partnerships, the company is transforming defense technology, enhancing security worldwide.

Is the Bangladeshi State Incapable or Unwilling to Control Mobs?

The targeting of journalists, media houses and cultural institutions on December 18-19 was neither sudden nor spontaneous. The attacks were coordinated.

The Wang Fuk Court Fire and Hong Kong’s Housing Crisis

Affordable housing is a city-wide concern, with its implications spanning the political, economic, and social realms.

Acting Like a State: Sarawak’s Kingmaker Blueprint for a Green Powerhouse

A convergence of shifting global trends toward sustainability and digital industries and, more critically, a fundamental restructuring of federal-state relations, have enabled Sarawak’s transformation.

Sri Lanka Calls for Global Support Following Cyclone Ditwah

It is hosting an International Donor Conference in January 2026 to garner support for post-disaster rebuilding of the country. Can it transform tragedy into lasting resilience?

How Europe’s Preference for Plausible Deniability Shapes China’s Role in North Africa

China’s expanding role in the region reflects a willingness to assume duration and exposure where Europe has chosen restraint.

India Reaches Out to West Asia Ahead of Phase 2 of Gaza Peace Plan Implementation

While India is unlikely to send troops to join the International Stabilization Force, it is keen to participate in Gaza’s reconstruction and development.

How Would the Extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India to Bangladesh Work?

An arduous bureaucratic-judicial exercise and geopolitics could stand in the way of Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India to Bangladesh.

The Growth of China’s Navy: Past, Present, and Future

A review of major developments in the PLAN over the past 5 years – and where the fleet is likely to go from here.

What Countries Do Americans See as the Biggest Threat to the United States?

Repeated surveys affirm that Americans hold negative views of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, ranking them as the top threats to the U.S.

Can Crisis Preparedness Information Move Taiwanese From Awareness to Action?

Taiwan’s government has in recent years stepped up efforts to strengthen public communication amid growing security and disaster risks. But does this kind of guidance actually changes people’s actions?

The Trial of Abe’s Assassin Is a Test of Takaichi’s Appetite for Political Reform

Yamagami Tetsuya’s trial will renew attention to the powerful effect of religious groups in Japanese politics, and the LDP’s history of opaque fundraising. Will Takaichi address those issues?

India’s Terror Laws Are Creating New Mandelas

Umar Khalid and Zohran Mamdani embody a shared global moment: exposing state excess on one side, and dissent and solidarity on the other.

How North Korea Responded to the US Gambit in Venezuela

Pyongyang was slow in issuing a relatively tempered statement, but also turned a missile launch event into a tool for deterrence signaling.

Indonesian Criminal Code Comes Into Effect Amid Civil Society Criticisms

The new code, passed in 2022, has replaced the colonial-era penal code introduced by the Dutch before 1945.

South Korea’s Digital Divide Is Becoming a Generational Governance Challenge

In South Korea, digital fluency is quietly becoming a condition for participation in all areas of society, deepening generational divides in a rapidly aging country.

How ‘Green’ Narratives Are Used to Dismantle Indigenous Rights in India

Laws like the Forest Rights Act have been systematically eroded by the very state institutions responsible for implementing them.

Ukraine: Reacting to ‘Russian Fakes’ Beneath the Dignity of Central Asian States

In the aftermath of an alleged attack on one of Putin’s residences, the Central Asian governments came out quickly with calls and condemnations, surprising Ukraine.

Nepal’s ‘Alternative’ Alliance: Generational Shift or Politics as Usual?

Electoral coalitions are not new in Nepali politics. What distinguishes this one is the promise that it will deliver a different kind of politics.

Ukraine as a Model, a Warning, and a Partner for Taiwan’s Drone Industry

Every minute of the Russo-Ukrainian war has showcased the level of adaptation needed for survival, presenting Taiwan with both a model and a warning: act fast or suffer losses.

Beijing’s Invisible Network: United Front Operations in the Philippines

Philippine officials acknowledge how united front work is used by the CCP to influence various sectors, overtly and covertly. What remains lacking is a full appreciation of its scope.

Why South Korea’s Welfare State Fails Its Elderly

Low pension adequacy, restrictive safety nets, and life-course inequality explain why old age so often means poverty in Korea.

A Trip to the Philippines Prior to the Shooting

Investigators are puzzling over the Bondi Beach shooters’ visit to Davao City.

‘Dangerous Precedent’: Southeast Asia’s Response to US Venezuela Intervention

To varying degrees, the region’s governments have expressed concerns about the U.S. military’s abduction of President Nicolas Maduro.

PLA Drills, US Strike on Venezuela Spark Debate in Taiwan

The PLA exercise raised the specter of a blockage, while American actions against Venezuela sparked different fears in Taiwan.

If China Invades Taiwan, What Would Japan Do?

Given all that’s at stake, how would Japan respond in a scenario that could lead to the world’s first great power war since 1945?

Kazakhstan Takes Up Chairmanship of EAEU for 2026

Tokayev proposed that the EAEU focus on artificial intelligence, logistics, digitalization, free trade, and global dialogue.

An Unfair Trade: Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tea Workers

For more than two centuries, Tamil tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka have been trapped in poverty, enduring structural discrimination and hazardous conditions despite repeated promises of reform.

Venezuela: Trump, Geopolitics, and the View from Asia

How is the U.S. operation to detain the Venezuelan president being perceived in Asia by allies and adversaries?

Vietnam’s Economy Grew By More Than 8 Percent in 2025, Government Says

The country also posted its highest-ever annual trade surplus with Washington, despite the US government’s recent imposition of a 20 percent tariff.

Lao Communist Party Begins Five-yearly National Congress in Vientiane

Debt and the economy will be among the chief challenges facing the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party during its coming five-year term.

What Xi Jinping’s New Year Speech Signals to India

As China’s technological and military power continues to grow, the central issue is whether Beijing can accommodate a stable coexistence with India as an autonomous Asian power.

The Trump Administration Could Finally Roll Back China’s Advances in Latin America

Beijing has torn through the Monroe Doctrine. Post-Maduro Venezuela will be an important test case for the U.S. strategy to change that.

Sure, Turkmen Can Get Visas to Visit the US Again. It May Cost $15,000.

The visa bond pilot program mandates that otherwise eligible applicants for business or tourism visas from select countries, now including Turkmenistan, will have to post a bond of up to $15,000...

Eyeing Local Elections, PPP Leader Makes Half-hearted Apology Over Martial Law

The leader of the People Power Party, who repeatedly defended Yoon Suk-yeol, delivered his apologies to the public. However, he did not admit the illegitimacy of martial law.

US Expands Visa Bond List to Include Bangladesh, Tonga, and Kyrgyzstan, Among Other Asian Countries

While the pilot program largely targets countries in Africa, the latest expansion includes countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.

Building Mongolia’s New, Old Capital at Kharkhorum

Mongolia wants to resurrect the ancient capital of the Mongol Empire as a modern-day urban hub.

Why China’s Exploitative Labor System Gives It a Strategic Edge

China’s decisive source of global competitive advantage lies in its weak labor protections. And it’s driving a race to the bottom for labor rights.

Violence in Northern Afghanistan Pits Locals Against Gold Mining Operators and the Taliban

At least four were killed in a recent outbreak of violence between locals and a gold mining company allegedly backed by the Taliban.

Cambodia’s Prince Bank Founder Deported to China For Alleged Cyber Crimes

Chen Zhi’s extradition follows U.S. federal indictment and the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro.

Thailand’s Economy Set For Tough Year in 2026, Central Bank Says

The current stagnation contrasts with the dynamic state of the Vietnamese economy, which is on track to leapfrog Thailand as soon as this year.

Myanmar Junta Readies Second Phase of Controversial General Election

One hundred more townships will go to the polls on Sunday in an election that has been roundly condemned as a “sham.”