Latest Stories
How Western Companies Helped Create Their Chinese Competitors – Like Labubu
Labubu’s success draws on capabilities derived from Western branding and advertising practices over the past two decades – combined with China’s extremely low-cost labor model.
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.
The US Cannot Push China out of Latin America
China’s role in Latin America is built on trade flows, long-term investment, financial links, and large-scale infrastructure projects that benefit both sides.
China’s Multilayered Approach to Rare Earths Under US-Led Decoupling
Amid intense focus on export restrictions and decoupling, far less attention has been paid to how China is responding to U.S.-led diversification efforts.
The New Age of Maritime Multilateralism in the Indian Ocean
The South Asian littorals are shaping a polycentric security order.
Privilege Over Rights: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Entitlements in Malaysia
The belated move to update a 71-year-old law exposes Malaysia’s long-standing failure to safeguard the rights of the Orang Asli.
Most Read
US Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, 13 in Asia-Pacific
The Asian countries apparently impacted include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.
Southeast Asia’s Military Modernization Set to Accelerate in 2026
At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, the scale and pace of major military procurements in the region is increasing.
Can China’s Military Actually Fight?
It's one of the most consequential questions in the world today – and no one really knows the answer.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
China’s Multilayered Approach to Rare Earths Under US-Led Decoupling
Amid intense focus on export restrictions and decoupling, far less attention has been paid to how China is responding to U.S.-led diversification efforts.
China’s Muted Response to Venezuela: Sober Alarm, Not Nationalist Bombast
Venezuela Uncovers the Limits of China’s Security Promise in Latin America
What Do Chinese Analysts Say About the Thaw With India?
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency: Multilateralism, Multipolarity, and the Venezuelan Test
New Delhi’s presidency offers significant opportunities – yet also unavoidable challenges – at a moment when the very idea of multilateralism is under strain.
From Patron to Primary Victim: Pakistan and the Security Fallout of Taliban Governance
Japan-South Korea Summit: Why Middle Power Cooperation Matters More Than Ever in an Imperializing World
India Could Lead a Third Way in AI Geo-governance
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
The New Age of Maritime Multilateralism in the Indian Ocean
The South Asian littorals are shaping a polycentric security order.
Pakistan Eyes Multi-Billion Dollar JF-17 Export Boom Amid Global Interest
Japan, Philippines Sign New Defense Pact to Facilitate Flow of Military Supplies
An Aircraft Carrier Is Not a Floating Aid Ship: Rethinking Indonesia’s Maritime Priorities
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Malaysian Regulator Receives Australian Journalist’s Apology in Thailand
Murray Hunter says that the alternative – a possible two-year prison sentence – left him with little choice.
Singaporean PM Removes Workers’ Party Chief as Official Opposition Leader
How the ‘Neo-Authoritarian Bloc’ Ensured the Survival of Myanmar’s Military Junta
The Trap of International Backing: Thailand and Its Border Conflict With Cambodia
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Indian Perception of Russian Power Is Outdated
In the contemporary world, Russia neither has the will nor the ability to unfailingly support India.
Trump’s Iran-related Sanctions Are Complicating India’s Multi-alignment Policy
India, Germany Recast Ties During Chancellor Merz’s Visit
Is India’s Film Censor Board Thwarting Tamil Actor-Politician Vijay’s Electoral Plans?
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
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.
South Korea’s Delicate Balancing Act Amid China-Japan Discord
South Korean Special Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty for Yoon Suk-yeol
South Korean President Meets Japanese Prime Minister
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Even With High Approval Ratings, Is Takaichi’s Snap Election a Political Gamble?
Takaichi could seek to capitalize on her popularity by dissolving the lower house and calling an early election. However, support for the LDP has stayed persistently low.
Can Japan’s Largest Opposition Party Complete Its Rightward Shift?
Japan’s Delicate Foreign Policy Balancing Act: Let the Good Deeds Speak for Themselves
How Will China’s New Export Controls Impact Japan?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
The US Cannot Push China out of Latin America
China’s role in Latin America is built on trade flows, long-term investment, financial links, and large-scale infrastructure projects that benefit both sides.
Privilege Over Rights: Appropriating Indigenous Peoples’ Entitlements in Malaysia
Is Year-round Social Change Necessary For Southeast Asia?
Could Trump Sleepwalk Into a War Over Taiwan?
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Kazakh Soldiers Dying in Peacetime
The number of reported deaths within the ranks of the Kazakh military has surged in recent years, while the circumstances surrounding many of these cases remain murky.
Russia’s Post-Imperial Anxiety and the Rhetoric of Control in Central Asia
Aspiring Political Parties in Kazakhstan Continue to Meet With Rejection
Japan Is Back in Central Asia, But on Different Terms
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
Four Southeast Asian Nations Among 75 on Trump Immigration Visa Freeze List
Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand are among the 13 Asia-Pacific nations that have been hit with an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing.
Trump’s Appointee For Ambassador to Vietnam to Take Harder Line on Trade
US Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, 13 in Asia-Pacific
Empowering the US-China Economic and Security Commission
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
How Western Companies Helped Create Their Chinese Competitors – Like Labubu
Labubu’s success draws on capabilities derived from Western branding and advertising practices over the past two decades – combined with China’s extremely low-cost labor model.
When Code Has a Passport: How the China-US AI War Sparked a New Regulatory Tug-of-War
Taiwan to Open More Fields to Migrant Work – and Tackle Infamous ‘Internships’
Why Asia’s Renewables Boom Is Forcing a Rethink on Localism in the Energy Sector
Oceania
The South Pacific
Australia Is Betting on a New ‘Strategic Reserve’ to Loosen China’s Grip on Critical Minerals
Australia unveiled its plan for a critical mineral reserve ahead of a G-7 plus meeting.
With Its New Laws, Australia’s Government Is Tackling Hate Speech Quickly, But Not Properly
What to Make of Australia’s Youth Social Media Ban?
Australia, Japan Establish Strategic Defense Cooperation Framework
Videos
Asia on Video
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
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?
