Uncategorised and other

Tuesday links: Samsung, Jakarta, China's infrastructure, national happiness and more
Nice profile of Samsung, a company whose sales are equal to one-quarter of South Korea's economic output. The New Yorker charts the history of American intelligence agencies'…
Can China win by opting out?
[youtube:VQDtWzqQSks#t=28] There's so much discussion out there about China's rise, its territorial quarrels with neighbours and the risk (some would say inevitability) of…
Lowy Institute's books of the year, part 3
In the lead-up to Christmas, we offer Lowy research staff selections for the best book they've read this year. Part 1 is here; part 2 is here. The Hungry Ghosts, by Shyam…
Thursday links: Al Qaida's mistake, Obama on Iran, Fukuyama, South China Sea and more
Al Qaida (or what remains of it) has decided that the 9/11 attacks were a mistake. What's the difference between a rock and an island? It sounds like a children's riddle, but the…
Tuesday links: Ahmadinejad, solar, Mandela, Shanghai smog, Africa, Snowden and more
Five ways Ahmadinejad destroyed Iran's economy. The US Congress is taking action to dissuade Turkey from finalising a missile deal with Beijing. 'In the space of 10 years, mobile…
India links: Tendulkar, Delhi Police, security cooperation with Australia and more
Danielle Rajendram is a Lowy Institute research associate. Her work focuses on Indian foreign and domestic policy, India-China relations and Asian security. McKinsey has just…
Abbott's failure to listen escalates spying row
Commentary
Abbott's failure to listen escalates spying row
In an opinion piece in The Drum, Lowy Institute Research Fellow Dr Dave McRae says that Tony Abbott's failure to proactively defuse the spying row with Indonesia has…
Thursday links: Solar vs the Taliban, gay rights in China, Iran nuclear, Wikipedia and more
Marty Harris is an assistant digital editor at the Lowy Institute. Carrying weapons is the new norm for Iraqi youths. In China, the parents of LGBT children send an open letter…
Thursday links: Middle East outbreaks, China myths, robots, Shakespeare in China and more
'The whole of the Middle East and North Africa (is) at risk of outbreaks of diseases once thought safely on the run.' When do states stick with the international institutions…
Wednesday links: India's Mars mission, Syria's economy, Xi Jinping, Indian cricket and more
India successfully launches a Mars probe. One is reminded of the 2003 Economist headline when China launched its first crewed space mission: 'Congratulations China! (So, no need…