Economy

For materials that are essential to our modern way of life, the rare earths industry is surprisingly small – which is why China has been able to dominate thus far.

A strong research sector is the foundation of the autonomy economy. How does China measure up?

The country has joined Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia in loosening entry regulations amid the region's sluggish tourism recovery.

China’s signals that its economy is open for business and tourism are increasingly urgent, but will they be effective?

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects up to 28 million people to have visited the country by the end of this year.

But President Sadyr Japarov has also made clear that change -- and cash registers -- are coming to the country's bazaars one way or another. 

Most of the region's major players are yet to live up to the hype that once surrounded them.

Indonesia and Australia are teaming up to challenge China's dominance in electric vehicles and battery manufacturing.

While the canal project is a source of promise, it faces many challenges, not the least of which is unease in Central Asia about water security. 

Why does the energy-rich region experience such frequent power and heating failures?

Despite U.S. “homeshoring” efforts, the last stage of the semiconductor supply chain remains concentrated in Taiwan. Southeast Asia is a promising alternative.

Central Asia features prominently in conversations about evasion of sanctions on Russia and the possibility of secondary sanctions on the region’s economies.