Archive
September 2020

Sabah Heads to the Polls for Snap State Election
By James Chin
In addition to the perennial question of regional autonomy, the result could play into the ongoing political turmoil in Kuala Lumpur.

US Bill Aims to End Aid to Philippines Military and Police
By Nick Aspinwall
The Philippine Human Rights Act would end American security assistance to Manila unless it commits to reforms.

Taiwan’s KMT May Have a Serious ‘1992 Consensus’ Problem
By Derek Grossman and Brandon Alexander Millan
Clinging to the consensus has won the party little respect from Beijing, while putting it out of step with the majority of Taiwanese opinion.

Will Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim Finally Succeed?
By Sebastian Strangio
The opposition leader’s announcement that he commands the support necessary to form a new government has dissipated into a period of tense political speculation.

Is Press Freedom Dying in Hong Kong?
By Jason Hung
New restrictions on police-recognized press accreditations raise the specter of hand-picked media coverage.

Peacekeeping With Chinese Characteristics
By Jayshree Borah
China just issued its first white paper on U.N. Peacekeeping Operations. What does it tell us about the Chinese approach to peacekeeping and peace-building?

Violence Persists as Afghan Government and Taliban Seek Path to Peace
By Catherine Putz
As Afghan government and Taliban negotiators sort out the rules and procedures, let alone an agenda, for peace, violence persists in Afghanistan.

Empty Fields: The Use (and Abuse) of UAPA in Kashmir
By Qadri Inzamam and Haziq Qadri
From cricket players to journalists, Kashmiris are being booked under a law critics say is designed to stifle all dissent.

Can Japan’s New Suga Administration Steer the Battered Economy Toward Growth?
By Thisanka Siripala
All eyes are on the Suga administration’s policy agenda after committing to advancing his predecessor’s Abenomics growth strategy.

Afghan Officials: Taliban Attack Checkpoints, Kill 28 Police
By Associated Press
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks, which it said were carried out after the police in the area refused to surrender.

Uzbekistan’s COVID-19 Response Exposes Tashkent’s Reform Successes and Failures
By Benjamin Godwin
What does the coronavirus response say about the government’s ability to deliver on its ambitious reform program?

Another Arrest for Joshua Wong Highlights the Growing Pressure on Young Hong Kong Activists
By Shannon Tiezzi
The divergent fates of 20-something activists Wong, Agnes Chow, and Nathan Law demonstrate the new reality for Hong Kong’s young democrats.