Topic
Society
How the Korean Wave Intersects With Social Change in Vietnam
By Thi Gammon
The best ambassador for South Korea in Vietnam, Korean pop culture appeals to the Vietnamese desire for modernity and romanticism.
How Farid Tuhbatullin Tells Turkmenistan’s Story
By Catherine Putz
An interview with the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights’ Farid Tuhbatullin, who works to draw attention to the troubles in his homeland.
In Bangladesh, the War on the Press Rages On
By Zarif Faiaz
With general elections due early next year, the ruling Awami League is intensifying its assault on what remains of the country's free media.
In the Philippines, COVID-19 Is Still Taking a Toll on the Informal Economy
By Felix Iglesias
The pandemic may have waned, but its economic impact continues to reverberate on the nation's streets.
In Malaysia, Conservative Forces and Police Crackdowns Are Putting LGBTQ Lives at Risk
By Robin Vochelet
Police investigations into the involvement of LGBTQ protesters in last month’s Women’s March reflect growing prejudicial attitudes in Parliament, activists warn.
A Beacon of Education Has Vanished in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan
By Freshta Jalalzai
The arbitrary arrest of Matiullah Wesa is a severe blow to the already dire situation for education in the country.
What Does Web 3.0 Mean for Japan?
By Hugh Harsono
Assessing the practical feasibility of Japan leveraging participation in Web 3.0 for economic growth to counter China.
Indonesia Has Another Shaman Serial Killer – and the Phenomenon Is More Common Than You Think
By Aisyah Llewellyn
The frequent occurrence of such crimes speaks to Indonesians' widespread belief in the occult and the lure of get-rich-quick schemes in a country with widespread poverty.
Military Involvement in Pandemic Control in Sri Lanka
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Involving the military in tackling public health crises is an efficient use of state capacity, but does it signal excessive militarization of society?
Australia and the Geopolitics of Birthrates
By Grant Wyeth
The social policies of its partners are not something Canberra would ever directly comment on, but they matter for Australian foreign policy anyway.
Taliban Say There Are No Obstacles to UN Work in Afghanistan
By Associated Press
Last week, they banned female Afghan staffers working for the UN from reporting for work.
Laid-off Oil Workers Detained After Overnight Protest in Astana
By Catherine Putz
The group’s detention sparked a growing crowd in Zhanaozen and highlighted, once again, the precarity faced by the country’s workers.