While the tradition of central bank independence is relatively new, the idea has held firm.

An epidemic might be the focus but illustrates a long-term problem across eastern Indonesia.

<p>Economic news from across Asia.</p>

Links and updates from across the migration and border policy field.

Access to naval facilities in Oman could see a greater Indian naval presence in the Persian Gulf.

The death of a K-pop star has focused attention on the high rate of suicide in South Korea.

The US is again seeking to stamp its authority in Latin America.

Links and stories from around the Pacific by The Interpreter team.

“Killer graphics” are Donald Trump’s preferred method of digesting intelligence.

Politicians might talk political tactics and leave the public bored, but a real contest is brewing.

While cheerleaders dance in PyeongChang, officials in Pyongyang are pushing ahead with a nuclear and ballistic missile program.

The security implications of climate change must become part of Australia’s long-term Asia-Pacific policy.

China has cracked down on cross-border trade to win extra leverage over its neighbour.

Links from the aid and development field.

A Gordian knot of challenges awaits the first MSG leaders meeting in two years.

Iran breached a red line by sending a drone into Israel airspace, and the response was swift.

Joseph Kabila’s power grab and violence in Congo may disrupt China’s vital cobalt supply.

The week that was on The Interpreter.

If a popular narrative emerges equating deeper engagement with unhealthy tech addiction, Facebook will not be able to avoid confronting it.

Talk of criminalising homosexual acts and prison terms for adultery has many Indonesians worried.

A newly released book by John West takes a guarded view of the world’s most promising region.

An effort is underway to “other” Hong Kong’s common law system: to portray it as a colonial holdover ripe for replacement.

Communicating contradictory images and aspirations does not help create a consistent perception of ASEAN among its external partners.

<p>Links and updates from across the migration and border policy field.</p>

Throughout the last year, Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi’s control over the south deteriorated.

Top Chinese officials easily say one thing and do another to fit their vision of deeper party control.

A French initiative, backed by Australia and international organisations, aims to hold supporters of chemical weapons use legally accountable.

Links and stories from around the Pacific by The Interpreter team.

Vladimir Putin could never countenance anything other than a swift and severe response to Syrian rebels who shot down a Russian Su-25.

Nauru is one case where Australia's global interest in promoting democracy is compromised by its specific immigration policy priorities.

New middle powers are creating a multipolar and complex Indian Ocean.

Analyst Tom Wright makes a compelling point in a new essay, but there's nothing inevitable about US–China rivalry.

For all its inconveniences, Australia is overwhelmingly dependent on ASEAN working and working well.

Should Italy turn a shade of populist or nationalist, will we see yet another crisis in Europe?

Links from the aid and development sector.

Nothing is for nothing in the Middle East.

Canberra is busy diversifying its diplomatic efforts partly in response to ASEAN's shortcomings.

The week that was on The Interpreter.

An extraordinary security breach in Australia has left politicians red-faced, but done little lasting damage.

Violent protests against the release of the film Padmaavat have fuelled fears about free speech and religious intolerance.

China will one day run into the same growth-constraining factors as South Korea and Japan. But not yet.

An independent spirit might not mean separating Hong Kong from China, but adopting ways that threaten vested interests of the ruling class.

A trans-Arctic sea cable would afford the Kremlin a significant opportunity to demonstrate its role in developing the Arctic commons.

Trade deals in Asia are a test of America's self image, as the debate rages on China's on-campus influence in Australia.

Development finance is fraught with issues, but won’t be solved with geopolitical bun fights.

Links and updates from across the migration and border policy field.

Espionage charges against Australian film-maker James Ricketson have put a spotlight on Canberra’s delicate ties with Cambodia.

Links on developments across the Pacific region.

An act of censorship serves domestic ends and to project a controlled version of soft power on an international stage.

Putin’s election to a fourth term in March is a foregone conclusion.