Region
East Asia
China’s Xi Heads to Saudi Arabia to Boost Beijing’s Influence in the Middle East
By Shannon Tiezzi
Xi Jinping will attend the first China-Arab States summit as both sides see an opportunity to advance relations.
China’s Information Problems Are Only Getting Worse
By Eduardo Jaramillo
Xi’s insistence on personal loyalty risks a climate of sycophancy and rigid unanimity in the ranks of China’s top leaders.
Dissident Artist Ai Weiwei Says China Unrest Won’t Alter Regime
By Barry Hatton
The recent unrest in several Chinese cities is “a big deal,” Ai acknowledges. But he calls for “realistic thinking” about the protests.
European Leaders Fret Over Their ‘Value-Led’ Approach to China
By Duncan Bartlett
The recent visits to Beijing of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Council President Charles Michel reflected the ongoing attempt to calibrate Europe’s China policy.
Why Japan’s Missile Defense Requires ‘Counterstrike Capabilities’
By Kenji Nagayoshi
Japan’s strike capability debate must be accompanied by the political will of decision-makers.
Jiang Zemin Hailed by China’s Top Leaders in Memorial Service
By Associated Press
Current Communist Party leader Xi Jinping praised Jiang in an hour-long address at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
The Dark Side of K-Pop
By Brandon Valeriano and Aleydis Nissen
Beneath the glittering surface image of K-pop idols lies the Dorian Grey-like heart of an industry that abuses and discards its trainees and stars.
North Korea Fires Artillery Over South Korea-US Live-Fire Drills
By Mitch Shin
For two consecutive days, North Korea fired artillery shells in response to South Korea-U.S. joint live-fire drills.
Taiwan Watches China’s ‘White Paper’ Protests
By Brian Hioe
Taiwanese groups organized a series of vigils supporting the protests that broke out in China in late November.
Mass Protests in Mongolia Decry ‘Coal Mafia,’ Corruption
By Julian Dierkes
For the second time this year, Mongolians took to the street en masse to show their discontent with the government.
Japan’s Ruling Coalition Approves Counterstrike Capability
By Mina Pollmann
The long-debated move comes alongside increased defense spending amid worries about Japan's security environment.
How Zero COVID Protests Broke Through China’s Internet Censorship
By Larry Mullin
China’s infamous Great Firewall cracked amid late November’s protests – the exact thing the censorship apparatus was designed to prevent.