Archive
August 2021
Malaysian PM Defies Calls to Resign, Claiming Parliamentary Majority
By Sebastian Strangio
Prime Minister Muhyiddin agreed to subject himself to a motion of confidence when parliament reconvenes next month.
India’s Divided Opposition Unites Over Pegasus Spyware Controversy – At Least for Now
By Kavita Chowdhury
Demands are growing for the Narendra Modi government to come clean on its role in the global snooping scandal.
The World Needs a New Marshall Plan
By Rizal Ramli
With the pandemic causing economic devastation, the stage is perfectly set for political crises.
Duterte Claims that COVID-19 Vaccines Saved Crucial US Defense Pact
By Sebastian Strangio
The unsurprising revelation hints at the fundamentally transactional nature of Duterte's approach to the superpowers.
With Eyes on Afghanistan, Russian Military Exercises in Central Asia
By Catherine Putz
Meanwhile, Russian diplomats continue to press support for a negotiated settlement between Kabul and the Taliban, with a side of shade thrown at the Americans.
A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China’s Current Carrier and Escort Procurement
By Rick Joe
By 2030, how many carriers and escort ships will China and India each have on hand?
Upcoming Parliament Elections Present New Opportunities and Challenges for Kyrgyzstan
By Ilgiz Kambarov
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament will shrink and change after the next election, expected later this year, under new legislation and a new constitution.
China’s Rise, South China Sea, and Rules-Based International Order: A View From the Philippines
By Jongsoo Lee
Jay L. Batongbacal, a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, on the South China Sea disputes and international law.
Taliban Take Much of Provincial Capital in Southern Afghanistan
By Tameem Akhgar and Rahim Faiez
Nine out of 10 districts in Helmand’s provincial capital were under Taliban control as of August 3.
China Orders Mass Testing in Wuhan as COVID-19 Outbreak Spreads
By Associated Press
The highly contagious Delta variant is testing China’s zero-tolerance policy for COVID outbreaks.
Repression by Any Other Name: Xinjiang and the Genocide Debate
By Martin S. Flaherty
Is what’s going on in Xinjiang genocide? The answer is a qualified yes, but no hedging is needed for the equally serious accusation of crimes against humanity.
The Trouble With Washington’s ‘Rules-Based Order’ Gambit
By Ben Scott
Improved U.S. compliance with international norms would greatly enhance U.S. defense of the rules-based international order.