Region
East Asia

South Korea’s Political Bifurcation Will Stifle Any Trilateral Agreement
By Dylan Stent
The whole point of the Camp David Summit was to institutionalize Japan-South Korea-U.S. cooperation. But no one should expect South Korea’s left to keep to the same path.

Pope Francis’ Visit Underscores Mongolia’s Religious Freedom
By Bolor Lkhaajav
The geopolitical angle of Pope Francis’ state visit to Mongolia is clear: The Vatican supports Mongolia’s democracy, respect for religious freedom, and peaceful foreign policy.

Kim Jong Un’s Possible Train Trip to Russia
By Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim
The trip could be like his 2019 journey: 20 hours on his armored train.

The Latest China-Africa Leaders Dialogue: What Has Changed?
By Ovigwe Eguegu and Hannah Ryder
A brief meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit was the first chance for many African leaders to speak with Xi Jinping since the pandemic began.

South Korea’s Semiconductor Funds Highlight a Partisan Battle
By Arrian Ebrahimi and Joon Kang
Should chip funds go to chaebols or underdogs? In South Korea, the question has taken on partisan undertones.

Hong Kong’s Top Court Rules in Favor of Recognizing Same-Sex Partnerships
By Kanis Leung
The ruling stopped short of granting full marriage rights to same-sex couples, but nonetheless represents a breakthrough for the LGBTQ+ community.

North Korea Ramps up Arms Sales to Russia, Iran, Syria, and Others
By Seulkee Jang
Pyongyang is selling older weapons in its existing stocks to overseas customers as it replaces the Korean People’s Army’s stockpiles with new weapons.

China’s New ‘Standard Map’ Does Not Mean What You Think It Means
By Mark Raymond and David A. Welch
Nothing in the map suggests that China is making a novel territorial claim. In fact, Beijing may be quietly walking one particularly questionable claim back.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an Travels to Shanghai for Twin City Forum
By Brian Hioe
It's Chiang's first time attending the annual forum, which landed his predecessor (and current presidential hopeful) Ko Wen-je in controversy at times.

Japan Marks 100th Anniversary of the 1923 Kanto Massacre
By Thisanka Siripala
Campaigners fight to keep the massacre of ethnic Koreans in the spotlight, despite the government's disinterest in interrogating the dark history.

Is North Macedonia Poised to Reboot Its ‘Taiwan Adventure?’
By James Baron
The nation's brief recognition of Taiwan is a case study in corruption and checkbook diplomacy, leaving a black mark on public opinion. Can relations make a new start?

Is China Following Japan’s Economic Trajectory?
By Mercy A. Kuo
Insights from George Magnus.