Archive
February 2023
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History’s Shadow Looms Over Fiji
By Patricia O’Brien
As Fiji enters a new political era following 16 years under the rule of Bainimarama, history’s shadow looms large.
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North Korea Reaffirms ‘Nuke for Nuke’ Stance Against US
By Mitch Shin
Two days after the U.S. defense secretary’s visit to Seoul, the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson published a statement to denounce Washington’s moves.
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Taliban Asks Pakistan Not to Blame Them for Violence at Home
By Rahim Faiez
Earlier Pakistan’s defense minister had blamed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for the attack in Peshawar and claimed it operates from Afghanistan.
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US, Philippines Agree to Larger American Military Presence
By Jim Gomez
The two sides have agreed to grant the U.S. armed forces access to four more bases under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
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Indonesia to Send General on Special Mission to Myanmar, Jokowi Says
By Sebastian Strangio
In an interview this week, President Joko Widodo suggested that the unnamed general would highlight his own country's democratic transition since 1998.
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The United States Risks Being Complicit in the Myanmar Junta’s Atrocities
By Me Me Khant
Two years on from the military coup, the U.S. government is saying one thing about the country's crisis and doing another.
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Sun Cable’s Collapse and the Australian Role in Southeast Asia’s Energy Transition
By Nicholas Basan
Rather than focusing on exporting renewable energy to the region, Australian firms should invest directly in Southeast Asia's green transition.
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Western Investors Are Losing the Ability to Shape the Future of Cambodian Microfinance
By David Whitehouse
The industry's foreign financial backers are now aware of the scale of the country's over-indebtedness – but they have lost the ability to do much about it.
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Myanmar Military Extends State of Emergency For Third Time
By Sebastian Strangio
The six-month extension is likely to delay the "elections" that the coup government was planning to hold by August.
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Why Sri Lanka’s Headline Grabbing Protests Failed
By Thusiyan Nandakumar
Yes, Sri Lankans drove President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from office – but did they accomplish any lasting change?
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Taiwan Cabinet Reshuffle Sets the Stage for 2024 Presidential Elections
By Brian Hioe
With President Tsai's term coming to an end next year, the DPP's cabinet reshuffle sends hints about the next generation of party leadership.
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Cold Snap and Electricity Shortages Slam Central Asia, Afghanistan
By Catherine Putz
The repercussions of the apparent vulnerabilities in Uzbekistan’s energy system have wide implications, none more serious than for Afghanistan.