Archive
February 2023
UN Working Group Calls for Release of Uzbek Blogger Sattoriy
By Catherine Putz
The U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention says Otabek Sattoriy’s 2021 detention is arbitrary under international law.
South Korea Defense Report Revives ‘Enemy’ Label for North
By Hyung-Jin Kim
The country's defense white paper referred to North Korea as "our enemy" for the first time in six years.
How the Sino-Vietnamese War Was Purposefully Forgotten
By Christelle Nguyen
In both China and Vietnam, the governments have deliberately tried to bury memories of their 1979 war.
China Sanctions Lockheed Martin, Raytheon for Taiwan Sales
By Joe McDonald
The United States bars most sales of weapons-related technology to China anyway, so it’s unclear what effect the sanctions will have.
India’s Discovery of Lithium Reserve Triggers Hopes, Worries
By Snigdhendu Bhattacharya
While enthusing India’s EV sector, the news left environmentalists wary of mega-mining initiatives in the geologically and ecologically sensitive Kashmir Valley.
In War-Torn Karenni State, Civilians Bear the Brunt of the Junta’s Attacks
By Alar Corritti, Mie Mie, Matthias, and Ko Banya
Over 40 percent of the Karenni population has been forced to flee their homes since May 2021.
Ruling Taliban Display Rare Division in Public Over Bans
By Rahim Faiez
Without naming Taliban chief Akhundzada, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani criticized his decision-making for “hurting the reputation" of the regime.
Indonesia, China Agree to Final Cost Overruns on High-Speed Rail Project
By Sebastian Strangio
An official told parliament this week that the project's final overrun was $1.2 billion, down from more than $2 billion previously predicted.
ASEAN Needs to Prepare Now for the Future of Work
By Heng Molika
Amid rapid economic and technological changes, Southeast Asian governments need to offer generous subsidies for digital upskilling.
Myanmar’s National Unity Government Opens Office in Washington
By Sebastian Strangio
The opening of the office marks a deepening of official U.S. engagement with the NUG, but diplomatic recognition remains unlikely.
Former Kyrgyz President Atambayev Released From Jail, Flies to Spain
By Catherine Putz
In prison (mostly) since 2019, the former Kyrgyz president was granted yet another retrial but also released and allowed to leave the country.
The Twin Factors Behind Pakistan’s Growing TTP Problem
By Hamael Kashif and Hamza Basharat
Yes, the Afghan Taliban’s victory emboldened the TTP. But Islamabad also missed its chance to deal the group a decisive blow.