Country
Laos
Giant Buddha Statue Plan Rankles Residents of Laos’ Capital: Report
By Sebastian Strangio
A Chinese firm's plans to build a 100-meter-high Buddha statue in low-lying Vientiane encapsulate China's outsized economic presence in Laos.
Laos-China Railway on Track for December Opening: Official
By Sebastian Strangio
The completion of the railway will deepen China's influence over the landlocked nation of seven million.
The Threat of a Dam Disaster in Luang Prabang
By Tom Fawthrop
The dam near Luang Prabang - both a World Heritage site and an seismically active zone - is “an irresponsible gamble,” experts argue.
Laos Seizes Record Meth Haul Amid Regional Production Boom
By Sebastian Strangio
This week's 17 million tablet haul amounts to nearly the entire recorded seizures for last year.
On China’s Doorstep, Laos Plays a Careful Game of Balancing
By Kearrin Sims
China's influence is growing in Laos, but the country's foreign relations present a more complex picture.
Laos Establishes Task Force to Police Social Media Platforms
By Sebastian Strangio
The Lao communist authorities fear that Facebook could become an incubator of anti-government sentiment.
Boten: the Renaissance of Laos’s Golden City
By Nicholas Bosoni
The one-time casino boom town on the Laos-China border is on the rise again, powered by billions in Chinese investment.
Laos Introduces Two-Week Lockdown to Contain Rare COVID-19 Outbreak
By Sebastian Strangio
The outbreak comes after a year in which the Southeast Asian nation mostly evaded the coronavirus.
What’s in the New Russian Military Facility Chatter in Laos?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at a latest manifestation of Moscow’s growing defense presence in the Southeast Asian nation.
Chinese Casino Magnate’s Empire Set to Expand in Laos
By Sebastian Strangio
The businessman Zhao Wei has established close relationships to Laos's communist elite.
Laos’ Austerity Fantasies Reveal the Communist Party’s Weaknesses
By David Hutt
Ballooning external debt and growing fiscal deficits augur political storm clouds for the ruling LPRP.
Vietnam Hands Over $111 Million Parliament Building to Lao Government
By Sebastian Strangio
The building highlights Vietnam's desire to prevent Laos from spiraling off into China's orbit.