Archive
2025
What Is Iran Doing With 1000 Tons of Sodium Perchlorate From China?
By Daniel Allen, Katherine Michaelson, and Marco Volpitta
The shipment of Chinese sodium perchlorate indicates a rapid rebuilding of Iran’s missile industry since Israeli strikes in October – with Beijing’s help.
Chess, Culture, and Controversy: Uzbek Grandmaster’s Handshake Refusal Sparks Debate
By Niginakhon Saida
Islamic practices in Uzbekistan, after enduring seven decades of Soviet-imposed atheism, are now being increasingly adopted by the younger generation.
What Should Australia Do in This Strongman Soft Power Age?
By Grant Wyeth
We have entered an era where strongmen leaders exercising brute force provides an irresistible emotional thrill. It’s a spectacle that no furry animal or sporting endeavor could match.
In Bangladesh, Islamists Are Stepping up Actions Against Women
By Subir Bhaumik
A series of troubling incidents have seen Islamic groups threaten violence to force the cancellation of women's football matches and store openings featuring Bangladeshi actresses.
Americans, Robots, and More: Chinese Government Messaging in the 2025 Spring Festival Gala
By Evan Freidin
In watching the Gala, we can see what political messaging is currently being promoted in China, and what is not.
Aligning AI With China’s Authoritarian Value System
By Daniel Sprick
DeepSeek is exhibit A for both the mechanics and overall vision of China’s AI censorship.
North Korea’s Economic Crisis: Solutions or More Controls?
By Lee Sang-yong
A pattern of tightening market controls and soaring prices has culminated in an ambitious government intervention – a comprehensive plan to regulate the grain trade.
Ali Riaz on Recommendations of Bangladesh’s Constitutional Reform Commission
By Sudha Ramachandran
“The Bangladeshi state’s relationship with religion under the revised Constitution as recommended by the CRC would not be different from past decades.”
Long and Winding Road to Restoring Trust in China-India Relations
By Rushali Saha
The statements issued by the two sides after the recent meeting in Beijing revealed subtle differences, which does not bode well.
Myanmar’s Military Junta Extends State of Emergency For Seventh Time
By Sebastian Strangio
The six-month extension is intended to buy time for the military's long-promised election, but conditions in the country are not propitious.
Is China’s DeepSeek Using Smuggled AI Chips From Singapore?
By Sebastian Strangio
The U.S. government is probing whether the Hangzhou-based AI firm has built its disruptive R1 AI model on restricted Nvidia chips.
Thailand Versus the Scam Boom: A Look Into the Fight
By Tita Sanglee
Does Bangkok really have the power to bring the region's online scamming gangs to their knees?