Asia
Digital Asia Links: Bitcoin bans, online gambling and heavy metal guitars
South Korea is bitcoin central, and the government is worried. A newly created government taskforce met for the first time this month, seeking ways to manage what many see as…
Brexit Britain won’t be able to uphold Asia’s liberal order
This article is part of a series for the Australia-UK Asia Dialogue, co-hosted by the Lowy Institute and Ditchley Foundation, and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs…
What should Australia rule out on North Korea?
In place of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's ambiguous commitment to support US military action against North Korea, Hugh White wants a clear statement ruling out Australia's…
Saying the unsayable in Australia’s relations with China
The issue of influence by the government of the People’s Republic of China in Australian public and political life reached a turning point with the resignation of senator Sam…
South Korea’s search for autonomy
'When caught in a fight between whales, a shrimp gets his back broken.' This old Korean proverb has been used to describe Korea being stuck between great power rivalries. As…
How Australia can help avoid a disastrous Korean war
Pyongyang’s latest long-range missile test raises the probability that Washington will decide to launch a pre-emptive military campaign against North Korea, simply…
Political Islam, intolerance, and the IS threat in Indonesia
According to the pollster Alvara, one in five Indonesian students favour the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate; one in three don't approve of non-Muslims leading Muslims…
Searching for sustainable energy in the Mekong
Southeast Asian governments are starting to wake up to the vast potential of solar energy, under pressure from civil society groups that insist it is time to get on board with a…
Australia wants to reform Hun Sen – ‘It’s not going to work,’ says opposition leader
This morning I spoke with Mu Sochua, the deputy leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). On 2 September, the leader of her party Kem Sokha was arrested at…
China: Contradictions in climate leadership
This article is part of a series for the Australia-UK Asia Dialogue, co-hosted by the Lowy Institute and Ditchley Foundation, and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs…