Archive
September 2023
The Truth About Pakistan-Russia Ties
By Muhammad Sarmad Zia
A close look at the substance of the relationship shows a marked lack of political will, or even interest, on both sides.
China’s Economy Might Be Down, But Don’t Expect Regime Collapse
By Jinghao Zhou
Predicting the downfall of the CCP has been a longstanding pastime for some scholars.
ASEAN Summits Highlight Familiar Shortcomings
By Sebastian Strangio
The bloc managed to adopt stronger language on the conflict in Myanmar, but remains adrift in the South China Sea.
President Biden Should Not Overlook Vietnam’s Rights Crisis
By Carolyn Nash
Progress on shared objectives like climate mitigation will be impossible without measures to address the human rights failures of both Vietnam and the U.S.
Press Watchdogs Condemn Myanmar Photojournalist’s ‘Grotesque’ Imprisonment
By Sebastian Strangio
Photographer Sai Zaw Thaike was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the harshest term handed down against any journalist since the 2021 coup.
Why the Philippines Needs to Work With the Pacific Island Nations
By Rej Cortez Torrecampo and Karla S. Cruz
In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, Manila has good reasons to develop relations with other archipelagic states, including those to its south and east.
Indonesian Money Laundering Case Harks Back To Asian Financial Crisis
By Aisyah Llewellyn
In Indonesia, money laundering is hard to prosecute. But in the case against disgraced tax official Rafael Alun Trisambodo, prosecutors have seemingly found an open and shut case.
Nepal’s MCC Agreement With the US Officially Begins
By Sacha Shaw
The once controversial U.S. program has largely slipped from the public’s eye in the years following its ratification by the Nepali Parliament.
Xi Is Skipping the G20. Will He Miss the APEC Summit Too?
By Zhiqun Zhu
The circumstances are similar: a geopolitical rival hosting an international gathering Xi has never missed.
The G20 Is in a Precarious State, But Global Problems Don’t Take a Breather
By Sarang Shidore
A set of Asian and Global South states may be key to the group’s future viability, as both Beijing and Washington play spoiler.
What’s Wrong With the Philippines’ New Anti-Trafficking Guidelines?
By Michael Beltran
“Why are we going after tourists and letting the big criminals get away?” one trafficking victim asks.
Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Repeal Jackson-Vanik for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan
By Catherine Putz
Senators Murphy and Young stress that the time is ripe to drop the “outdated” restrictions of Jackson-Vanik and “redefine” the U.S. relationship with Central Asia.