Latest Stories
South Korea’s Special Counsels Delve Into the Supernatural Side of Yoon’s Presidency
The extent to which the Yoon administration allowed spiritual figures and religious outfits to meddle in national affairs is coming to light.
Nepal’s LDC Graduation Masks Deep Economic Fragility
The Himalayan country will move up to developing country status from its current status as a Least Developed Country in November 2026.
India, Philippines Strengthen Partnership Amid China Challenge, US Unpredictability
President Marcos’ visit to India came close on the heels of their first-ever military exercise in the South China Sea.
Indonesia’s Human Trafficking Crisis Demands a Community-led Response
Trafficking networks are becoming more sophisticated, increasingly targeting young, urban, and middle-class Indonesians.
The Origins of Southeast Asia’s ‘Scamdemic’
A new book provides a comprehensive account of the rise of the world’s most lucrative criminal enterprise.
Indonesia Announces Plans to Treat 2,000 Injured Gazan Civilians
The people will be treated on Galang Island off the coast of Sumatra, which formerly housed around 250,000 refugees from Indochina.
Most Read
The United States Is Losing India
India is beginning to question the value of its strategic alignment with Washington – and the United States has only itself to blame.
The Roots of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict
The acrimonious dispute, which flared into violence last week, concerns much more than a few square kilometers of rugged territory.
Tinian: The Forgotten Island of the Atomic Age
The Japanese plantation colony became the launch site for the atomic bombings of Japan. Today, it’s been nearly forgotten by the world.
Magazine
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?
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 Quad in an ‘America First’ World
Eight years after its resurrection, the Quad still faces a significant gap between ambition and capability.
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.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
The ‘Three Pats’: Xi Jinping’s Enduring Governance Dilemma
In Xi’s China, two narratives exist in uneasy tension – one encouraging experimentation by local officials, the other doubling down on discipline.
China’s Diplomatic Campaign Following Trump’s Tariffs
Hong Kong’s Pivot to the Global South
China’s Political Calendar as a Guide to Leadership Succession
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
Serbia and China Boost Security Ties With Special Forces Exercise
Beijing has emerged as Belgrade’s primary non-Western partner, while Serbia provides a foothold in Europe for China's military diplomacy.
Thailand’s Cabinet Approves Changes to Troubled Chinese Submarine Deal
Philippines, India Wind Up First Joint Naval Exercise in South China Sea
As the US Rethinks AUKUS, Australia and the UK Forge Ahead
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
The Origins of Southeast Asia’s ‘Scamdemic’
A new book provides a comprehensive account of the rise of the world’s most lucrative criminal enterprise.
Indonesia Announces Plans to Treat 2,000 Injured Gazan Civilians
Philippine Legislators Clash Over the Impeachment of Vice President Duterte
Cambodia, Thailand Agree to New Measures to Reinforce Border Ceasefire
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Nepal’s LDC Graduation Masks Deep Economic Fragility
The Himalayan country will move up to developing country status from its current status as a Least Developed Country in November 2026.
India, Philippines Strengthen Partnership Amid China Challenge, US Unpredictability
Will Trump’s Tariffs Upend the India-US Relationship?
Pakistan’s Mass Deportations of Afghan Refugees: A Humanitarian Emergency in the Making
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
South Korea’s Special Counsels Delve Into the Supernatural Side of Yoon’s Presidency
The extent to which the Yoon administration allowed spiritual figures and religious outfits to meddle in national affairs is coming to light.
Seoul’s Strategic Dilemma: Navigating a High-Stakes Summit With Trump
South Korea’s Foreign Aid at a Crossroads Under Lee Jae-myung
North Korea Has ‘No Interest’ in Talking to Lee Jae-myung
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Will the Last Surviving Parent of a Japanese Abductee Get Closure?
The abduction issue has long been treated as a bilateral concern between Japan and North Korea. But amid shifting geopolitics, it warrants a broader regional response.
Tokyo’s Shifting Priorities in Its Nuclear Policy
A Rare, Direct Warning From Japan Signals a Shift in the Fight Against Child Sex Tourism in Asia
What the LDP-Komeito Defeat Means for Japanese Foreign Policy
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
Indonesia’s Human Trafficking Crisis Demands a Community-led Response
Trafficking networks are becoming more sophisticated, increasingly targeting young, urban, and middle-class Indonesians.
Plastics: The New and Final Colonizer
Let’s Get Rid of Economic Data For a Few Years
The Pacific Is Drawing the Line at 1.5 Degrees of Warming
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Swindler or Scapegoat? Provisional Verdict Announced in Large-Scale Kazakh Embezzlement Case
Kazakh charity founder Perizat Kairat sentenced to 10 years for embezzling millions in flood relief funds, raising questions about political ties and public trust in the nonprofit sector.
Why Does Central Asia Need a UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development Goals?
Kyrgyz President Signs New Media Law, Making Registration Mandatory
The Landlocked Gather in Turkmenistan to Confront an Age-old Conundrum
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
As Trump Lifts Sanctions on Myanmar Elites, Is the US Eyeing Rare Earth Reserves?
As Myanmar’s military pushes forward with its plan to consolidate power through sham elections, the Trump administration may be looking to bring the junta in from the cold.
Taiwan-US Ties Are Becoming a Political Headache for the Lai Administration
Why the US Is Letting China Win on Energy Innovation
The US GENIUS Act and China: The Digital Currency Race
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
India’s Strategic Bet on Battery Security: Can It Turn ‘Black Mass’ into ‘White Gold’?
Recycling could provide India with a reliable source of the critical minerals needed to make lithium-ion batteries.
Indonesia’s Recent Banking Boom, Explained
The ‘Age of Economic Warfare’ Comes for the Energy Transition
Taliban End Chinese Oil Field Contract in Afghanistan
Oceania
The South Pacific
Australia’s Intelligence Agency: Foreign Spying at Unprecedented Levels
The Australian Security Intelligence Organization chief said that the agency “is seeing more Australians targeted – more aggressively – than ever before.”
US Tariff Decision Gives New Zealand Plenty to Think About
France and New Caledonia Have Reached a Compromise. Will It Work?
As Australia Eyes COP31, Climate Politics Heats up in the Coalition
Videos
Asia on Video
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
Reviewing Thailand and Cambodia’s July 2025 Border Skirmish
What led to the flare-up of the long-running dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors?
A Trade ‘Deal’ and a Historic Election: What’s Next for Japan?
The Geopolitics of the Second China-Central Asia Summit
What Does South Korea’s New Progressive Administration Portend for Northeast Asia?
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
Self-Help Groups Are Transforming Women’s Lives in India
For decades, men ruled the farms in Bihar. Now, it’s women who are reshaping the agricultural economy.