Archive
October 2020
Understanding Tazabek, a Kazakh Islamic Celebrity
By Issatay Minuarov
A newly introduced weekly program on a Kazakh state TV channel has sparked sharp public criticism and a campaign against its host – Mukhamedzhan Tazabek.
How a Nepalese Immigrant in Chicago Became a Voice for the Bullied
By StoriesAsia
Nikesh Thapaliya transformed his painful experiences with bullying into a voice to support Americans who have similar experiences
Why Is India Silent on China’s Human Rights Record at the UN?
By Arkoprabho Hazra
New Delhi’s domestic compulsions shouldn’t prevent it from taking a harsher line on China’s human rights abuses.
Pentagon Awards Contract to Build University Consortium for Hypersonic Research
By Abhijnan Rej
The decision comes amid growing U.S. commitments around hypersonic missile systems.
Another Close Shave for Malaysia’s PM Muhyiddin
By Sebastian Strangio
UMNO expressed its support for Muhyiddin's coalition, even as its officials sought to extract concessions from the beleaguered premier.
COVID-19 and the Perils of International Tourism
By James Guild
Tourism has been a boon for Southeast Asia, but the pandemic has exposed the region's unhealthy dependence on foreign visitors.
Bill Hayton on the Invention of the Chinese Nation
By Sebastian Strangio
"Particular memories of the past have been cultivated and popularized in China to justify the claims and actions of the current leadership."
India Transfers Myanmar’s First Submarine Amid Tensions with China
By Blake Herzinger
The submarine acquisition fulfills a long-held ambition of the Myanmar Navy, but could prove costly in the long run.
Southeast Asia Braces for US Elections and a Possible Second Trump Term
By Luke Hunt
A Biden victory will see a rebooting of U.S. ties with ASEAN, but the region will still be seen through the lens of competition with China.
Vietnamese PM Plays Down American Claims of Currency Manipulation
By Sebastian Strangio
Prime Minister Phuc has denied suggestions that Vietnam is seeking unfair advantages in international trade.
Toothless and Terrified: The State of Pakistan’s Media
By Niha Dagia and Niha Dagia
Journalism in Pakistan has never been easy, but the current environment is particularly dangerous.
India’s Junk Artists (and Where to Find Them on the Web)
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Junk art is a sphere in which India’s garbage challenge and its tradition of jugaad (improvisation) merge, with sometimes jaw-dropping results.