Region
East Asia
South Korea’s Supreme Court Upholds 17-Year Jail Term for Ex-President Lee
By Associated Press
Lee Myung-bak was convicted of taking bribes before and during his presidency.
China’s Fifth Plenum: What You Need to Know
By Shannon Tiezzi
China's leaders issued a blueprint for the next five years - and beyond. Below, the highlights.
South Korea Holds out Hope for WTO Director-General Role
By Jenna Gibson
It's now a 2-person race for the next WTO head. Can Yoo Myung-hee emerge with the win?
US Approves Sales of Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles to Taiwan
By Steven Stashwick
Truck-mounted Harpoon missiles and other recent sales are aimed at repelling a potential invasion by China.
China Shows Signs of Cracking Down on ‘Silk Road’ Crime
By Sebastian Strangio
The bizarre story of She Zhijiang, who ran a Southeast Asian casino empire while a fugitive from the law in China, demonstrates the limits of Chinese power.
Southeast Asia and Japan’s Indo-Pacific Vision: What’s Next After Suga’s ASEAN Tour?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
The trip raised questions about continuity and change in Japan’s approach to Southeast Asia after Abe.
North Korea’s Elite Defectors
By Mitch Shin
Despite its avowedly socialist nature, North Korea is governed by a rigid class system – and not all defectors come from the bottom.
What Happens to the CCP If China’s Economic Growth Falters?
By Alexis Leggeri
Thanks to a rapid build-up in its domestic security capacity, the Party has the ability to substitute hard control for economic legitimacy.
What Can Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry Learn From Japan?
By Gary Xie and Sophie Grant
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry will require major restructuring if it wishes to maintain its competitive edge in the crowded global market.
Reading the Soy Leaves: What Soybean Imports Say About China’s 2020 US Election Preferences
By Elizabeth Wishnick
China is well aware of the political implications of how it handles agricultural imports from the U.S. – in this case, soybeans.
Amid Rising Panic Over Deaths, South Korean Government Urges People to Get Flu Shots
By Mitch Shin
As more than 59 deaths were reported soon after a shot, the South Korean government is asking people to trust its health officials that the vaccine is safe.
China Retaliates With More Restrictions on US Media
By Eleanor Albert
After the U.S. added new restrictions on 6 Chinese media organizations, China followed suit.