Asia
The G20 spectacle and the domestic imperatives of Modi’s global ambitions
In a recent article titled “This is G20 for we, the people”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proudly stated that India’s G20 presidency has become a “people-driven movement”. “Over…
Ahead of G20, India-China reconciliation fails to launch
When it became clear that China’s President Xi Jinping had decided to skip the G20 summit in Delhi this week, it was the final blow to the opportunity that the forum presented to…
Is China finally getting serious about hukou reform?
Across July and August, the province of Zhejiang and China’s central government announced significant changes to the country’s hukou – household registration – system. These…
Why India keeps a foot in both camps
India is festooned for the season’s finale: the G20 summit. On 9–10 September, G20 leaders (at least most) will be in New Delhi to discuss problems that plague our planet…
The sticky case of Indonesia, a seized Iranian oil tanker, and legal jurisdiction
The two giant freighters floated “dark” in the open ocean not far from Indonesia. Their positioning transponders switched off, neither tanker displayed a national flag – but one…
The Fix: Explaining Indonesia’s silence in the North Natuna Sea
We’re asking contributors to put together their own short collected observations like this one – and as always, if you’ve got an idea to pitch for The Interpreter, drop a line…
China’s troubles may well get worse before they get better
China hoped its economy would rebound quickly after the lifting of its draconian zero-Covid policies late last year. But ten months on, China’s economic recovery is sputtering…
Who’s on the guest list? India brings Bangladesh to the G20
India declared its goal as G20 president and host this year to be “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (One Earth - One Family - One Future). On the surface, this seems like an agenda based on…
Coup d’État in Gabon: Oil, champagne, and China’s geopolitical opportunity
On Wednesday 30 August, a group of Gabonese military officers announced that they had assumed power and placed President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest. Minutes earlier, the…
Under Xi, the Party is winning but China is losing
August was a bad month for China. Mounting reports buttressed the view that China’s economy is not only in a downturn, but faces daunting long-term obstacles and declining…