Asia
India’s struggle for the soul of the Indo-Pacific
In 2017, the “Indo-Pacific” emerged as a defining geopolitical construct tying the future of states from East Africa to East Asia together with big powers, such as the…
Star wars: Tamil actors enter India’s political fray
Two famous Tamil actors are aiming to use their fan clubs as the basis for new political parties.
“First, we must integrate the registered and unregistered fans…
Jolted by protectionist rhetoric, ASEAN focuses on trade
With the US and China squaring up over trade, getting the 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) signed by the end of the year seems…
Pakistan’s war against the media
War zones and authoritative states have one thing in common: the tendency to control media and journalists.
Pakistan is neither a declared war zone nor an authoritative state,…
India’s political roller coaster
One month is a long time in Indian politics.
In early March, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was celebrating electoral victories in the north-east states of Tripura and…
China: magic weapons and “plausible deniability”
This article is based on Episode 20 of The Little Red Podcast with Gerry Groot of the University of Adelaide. We’re also pleased to announce The Little…
India: death penalty for rape ignores justice failings
Following a series of brutal attacks, and amid outcry across India demanding capital punishment for rapists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month signed an ordinance…
Deciphering symbols at the inter-Korean summit
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s charm offensive continues with his first meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the Demilitarized Zone on Friday. At the end of the…
Clamorous response to a Silent Invasion
An ill-fated business deal, a major corruption case, and protestations from Beijing about the visit of a dissident made the year 2009 something of an annus horribilis …
Rehabilitating Marawi
Unfortunately for the Philippines, the country has a lot of experience rebuilding major urban areas after catastrophic natural disasters or man-made destruction.
In 2013,…