Asia
The curious tales of defectors to North Korea
North Korea has once again been making headlines, but not for the usual reasons. This time, it was not about a missile test or aggressive rhetoric from state-run media. In fact,…
India’s hesitation as China pushes for BRICS expansion
With the latest BRICS summit kicking off today, much has been said about Russia’s announcement that Vladimir Putin will attend virtually, given South Africa’s obligation as a…
Cambodia's democracy deficit: Australia's role and responsibility
Cambodia’s Hun Sen, the world’s longest serving prime minister, will today hand over that role to his son, Hun Manet, having crushed all opposition during his 38 years in power…
Remember the Rohingya, for disease hasn’t forgotten them
The nightmare scenario has arrived for the Rohingya people living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Disease and living conditions have reached a level that is unacceptable and…
India doubles down on regional connectivity to counter China
India’s recent hosting of leaders from Nepal and Sri Lanka highlights the growing prominence of infrastructure in India’s regional strategy. Elemental geographical realities mean…
The “Jokowi Doctrine”: Indonesia’s vision for international order
Indonesia has been increasingly under a spotlight in international politics. Having successfully hosted the G20 Summit last year, navigating tensions between United States and…
China’s slowdown is nothing to celebrate
US President Joe Biden recently referred to China’s economy as a “ticking time-bomb”. While his administration might like to think the increase in US restrictions on trade and…
Stepping on the gas: Boosting Australia’s climate diplomacy in the region
The Australia’s women’s soccer team the Matildas may have gone down in the World Cup semi-final this week, but they certainly won over the fans – perhaps none more surprising,…
Bridging the divide: the significance of the US-South Korea-Japan trilateral
The Philippines may be the oldest US treaty ally in Asia, but South Korea and Japan are arguably the closest. The US-South Korea mutual defence treaty will turn 70 years…
The myth of military desperation in Myanmar
Myanmar’s multi-sided civil war has no end in sight. Since the February 2021 coup d’état, resistance to the military junta (formally known as the State Administrative Council or…