Asia
The looming fate of Fukushima’s contaminated water
In the coming months, Japan will be in a position to enact its long-announced plan to release contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific…
Better late than never: Vietnam releases 2021–30 power plan
After a dozen draft versions, Vietnam in mid-May finally released its 2021–30 national energy plan – dubbed PDP8. While PDP8’s targets are encouraging, significant implementation…
China’s double wedge against efforts to foster Vietnam-US relations
The USS Ronald Reagan sailed into Vietnam this week, only the third visit by an American aircraft carrier since the Vietnam war ended in 1975. The visit marks the growing strength…
To balance the Quad equation, India and Australia must drive an “Indo” focus
For all the attention given to the Quad, the grouping itself has devoted limited time to the Indian Ocean – the “Indo” part of the Indo-Pacific region. As the two countries with…
Mongolia in the middle: China and Russia may split over the allure of renewables
Mongolia, sandwiched as it is between China and Russia, the world’s two most powerful authoritarian states, is unlucky. Its rich solar and wind potential may prove to be a curse,…
After the meltdown: Sri Lanka’s strategic options
About a year ago, Sri Lanka experienced an unprecedented political and economic crisis involving the virtual cessation of economic activity and a popular revolt against the…
Perceptions and trust: Chinese views of Canada and Australia amid geopolitical tensions
Both Australia and Canada have seen a deteriorating relationship with China in the past few years – high profile disputes over Australia’s call for independent investigations into…
Why the Pakistan crisis spells trouble for our region
Pakistan is undergoing a protracted political and economic crisis, putting it on track to become a significant problem for the Indo-Pacific region. The country’s political…
O'Farrell leaves India with ties to Australia at a high point
As Barry O’ Farrell approaches the end of an extraordinary three-year stint as Australia’s High Commissioner to India, he can look back with satisfaction at a transformed…
Is the Gorkha’s place in India’s history about to change?
The Maoist guerrilla fighter turned politician, Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, visited India this month. Relations between the neighbours have reached an all-time low…