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Russia Is Readying the Zinc Coffins Again

U.S. officials believe Russia is facing its toughest fight since World War II.

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Jack Detsch

Shipping Is Staying Cool About Taiwan

The maritime insurance industry sees little elevated risk from China’s exercises.

Argument |
Elisabeth Braw

The Taliban Are Wrecking Ashura Too

Afghanistan’s extremist rulers are cracking down on minorities, especially Shiites, as hard as they have on women.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell

Georgia’s Ruling Party Is Tanking Its Own NATO Bid

Accusing the U.S. ambassador of blackmail is just the start.

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Will Cathcart
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: Asia Asia...

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Asia

Asia

Cargo ships are seen at a harbor in Taiwan.
Cargo ships are seen at a harbor in Taiwan.

Shipping Is Staying Cool About Taiwan

The maritime insurance industry sees little elevated risk from China’s exercises.

Argument |
Elisabeth Braw
Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.
Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.

The Taliban Are Wrecking Ashura Too

Afghanistan’s extremist rulers are cracking down on minorities, especially Shiites, as hard as they have on women.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan
Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan

Beijing’s Taiwan Aggression Has Backfired in Tokyo

Military exercises have stiffened Japanese resolve.

Analysis |
William Sposato
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol greets a soccer player.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol greets a soccer player.

South Korea’s Presidential Snub of Pelosi Was an Unforced Blunder

Yoon Suk-yeol simply isn’t up to international diplomacy.

Argument |
S. Nathan Park
Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar’s junta, attends a ceremony to mark the 71st anniversary of Martyrs’ Day in Yangon on July 19, 2018.
Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar’s junta, attends a ceremony to mark the 71st anniversary of Martyrs’ Day in Yangon on July 19, 2018.

The Built-In Brutality of Myanmar’s Military

Ignoring what everyone else thinks is part of the junta’s mindset.

Analysis |
Mary Yang
A Chinese military vessel sails off Pingtan Island, one of China's closest points to Taiwan, on Aug. 5.
A Chinese military vessel sails off Pingtan Island, one of China's closest points to Taiwan, on Aug. 5.

China’s Military Exercises Aren’t a Crisis—Yet

Analysts have been keen to make comparisons to tensions in 1996.

Argument |
Lev Nachman
Opposition supporters march during a protest against inflation, political destabilization, and fuel price hikes in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on July 2.
Opposition supporters march during a protest against inflation, political destabilization, and fuel price hikes in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on July 2.

Pakistan Is Drowning in Debt

Rising prices, food insecurity, and a growing debt burden make Islamabad’s other challenges all the more pressing.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A view of the Sherpur area, where al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a drone strike, is seen in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 2.
A view of the Sherpur area, where al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a drone strike, is seen in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 2.

Zawahiri’s Killing Is a Blow to the Taliban

The U.S. drone strike exposes the regime’s terrorist ties and further dims its prospects for international legitimacy.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
The Sri Lankan flag is lowered; beneath it stand people in military uniforms.
The Sri Lankan flag is lowered; beneath it stand people in military uniforms.

In Sri Lanka, the Military Still Runs the Show

The international community has a part to play in ending its culture of impunity.

Argument |
Viruben Nandakumar
A screen grab shows Zawahiri speaking above a chyron in Arabic with his name and position in al Qaeda.
A screen grab shows Zawahiri speaking above a chyron in Arabic with his name and position in al Qaeda.

What Zawahiri’s Death Means for al Qaeda’s Future

Impressive as the operation to kill Ayman al-Zawahiri was, it doesn’t obviate the terrorism threat from Afghanistan.

Analysis |
Colin P. Clarke
Pelosi waves standing in a group of people, all wearing masks.
Pelosi waves standing in a group of people, all wearing masks.

China Responds to Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip

Many on social media expressed anger that the government hadn’t followed through on its fiery rhetoric.

China Brief |
James Palmer
A signboard for TotalEnergies EP Myanmar is seen past a shuttered gate in Yangon on Jan. 22, after energy giants TotalEnergies and Chevron said they would leave Myanmar following pressure from human rights groups to cut financial ties with the junta since last year's military coup.
A signboard for TotalEnergies EP Myanmar is seen past a shuttered gate in Yangon on Jan. 22, after energy giants TotalEnergies and Chevron said they would leave Myanmar following pressure from human rights groups to cut financial ties with the junta since last year's military coup.

U.S. Eyes New Energy Sanctions on Myanmar After Execution of Activists

Oil and gas are a critical economic lifeline for Myanmar’s military junta.

Exclusive |
Robbie Gramer, Mary Yang
A Taliban fighter aims his rifle.
A Taliban fighter aims his rifle.

Taliban Killings Skyrocket in Forgotten Afghanistan

A new report exposes the regime’s shocking brutality.

Report |
Jack Detsch
Khan and supporters stand on a wooden platform atop a vehicle and wave to crowds of people and cars.
Khan and supporters stand on a wooden platform atop a vehicle and wave to crowds of people and cars.

Pakistan’s Narrative Problem

Years of propaganda have given Pakistanis an unrealistic understanding of what ails their country.

Argument |
Husain Haqqani
A television broadcasts news about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
A television broadcasts news about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

China Is Stepping Up Its Information War on Taiwan

Pelosi’s visit is another spur for Beijing’s disinformation campaign.

Argument |
A.A. Bastian
Osama bin Laden sits with Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Osama bin Laden sits with Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Al Qaeda Leader, Successor to Bin Laden, Killed in U.S. Drone Strike

“Justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more,” Biden says.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Amy Mackinnon
Ayman al-Zawahiri, then-deputy leader of al Qaeda, is seen in a screengrab taken from a video that aired on Al Jazeera on Aug. 5, 2006.
Ayman al-Zawahiri, then-deputy leader of al Qaeda, is seen in a screengrab taken from a video that aired on Al Jazeera on Aug. 5, 2006.

Ayman al-Zawahiri’s Legacy of Terror

He inherited the leadership of al Qaeda when U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden but lacked his predecessor’s charisma.

Obituary |
Daniel Byman
Then-U.S. House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi attends a news conference.
Then-U.S. House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi attends a news conference.

Pelosi’s Visit Risks Turning Taiwan Into a Political Football, Aides Worry

The U.S. House speaker puts both Washington and Beijing in a bind.

Report |
Amy Mackinnon, Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
An Afghan security guard stands in front of the Chinese Embassy in Kabul.
An Afghan security guard stands in front of the Chinese Embassy in Kabul.

China Is Doomed to Play a Significant Role in Afghanistan

Beijing is desperate to avoid being trapped in Kabul’s politics.

Excerpt |
Raffaello Pantucci, Alexandros Petersen
bakla-philippines-tagalog-decoder-queer-ari liloan-illustration
bakla-philippines-tagalog-decoder-queer-ari liloan-illustration

How ‘Bakla’ Explains the Struggle for Queer Identity in the Philippines

The Tagalog word eludes Western concepts of gender and sexuality—and offers a window into LGBTQ+ Filipinos’ quest for acceptance.

Decoder |
Jaime Oscar M. Salazar
A photo taken on October 21, 2020 shows a tourist walking past a mural painted on a wall on Taiwan's Kinmen islands, which lie just two miles from mainland China's coast.
A photo taken on October 21, 2020 shows a tourist walking past a mural painted on a wall on Taiwan's Kinmen islands, which lie just two miles from mainland China's coast.

What Does the Pelosi Taiwan Uproar Mean for U.S. China Policy?

The controversy over Nancy Pelosi’s proposed trip highlights the contradictions of U.S. policy toward the island.

It's Debatable |
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Pelosi Visit Sets Up No-Win Situation on Taiwan

Damned if she goes, damned if she doesn’t.

Report |
Jack Detsch
A Taliban border security guard stands as Uzbek security guards check a truck at the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge in Hairatan, Afghanistan, on Oct. 27, 2021.
A Taliban border security guard stands as Uzbek security guards check a truck at the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge in Hairatan, Afghanistan, on Oct. 27, 2021.

Central Asia Steps Up Its Regional Diplomacy

Uzbekistan hosts two major summits this week with consequences for neighboring South Asia, particularly Afghanistan.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Women wearing burqas in Kabul
Women wearing burqas in Kabul

Afghan Women Are Worse Off Than Ever

A new Amnesty report lays out the Taliban playbook for erasing half the population: electrocutions, beatings, detentions, and disappearances.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A pedestrian talks on the phone while walking past a Huawei store in Beijing on Jan. 29, 2019.
A pedestrian talks on the phone while walking past a Huawei store in Beijing on Jan. 29, 2019.

Why Indonesia Has Embraced Huawei

If the U.S. wants to compete with China in developing countries, our research shows it needs to offer tangible assistance in response to real needs.

Argument |
Benjamin Herscovitch, Dirk van der Kley, Gatra Priyandita
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi holds her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 21.
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi holds her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 21.

Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip Causes a Ruckus in Washington

The House speaker’s visit is a grand gesture, but it shouldn’t be seen as a show of strength.

China Brief |
James Palmer
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks.

What Does Nancy Pelosi Think She’s Doing in Taiwan?

A risky trip seems more about dramatic gestures than actual help.

Argument |
Mike Chinoy
Taliban fighters
Taliban fighters

The Taliban’s Neighbors Fear Afghanistan’s ‘Boiling Pot’ of Terrorism

A three-day conference in Uzbekistan has united the region, worried about the guerrillas in their midst.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Filipino American journalist Maria Ressa gives a statement after posting bail at a regional trial court in Manila on Feb. 14, 2019.
Filipino American journalist Maria Ressa gives a statement after posting bail at a regional trial court in Manila on Feb. 14, 2019.

Maria Ressa Wants to Save Journalism

The Filipino American journalist and Nobel laureate explains what it’s like to be a government target—and how to safeguard a free press.

Q&A |
Ravi Agrawal
Political activists shout slogans outside a polling station during the Punjab province by-election in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 17.
Political activists shout slogans outside a polling station during the Punjab province by-election in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 17.

Is Pakistan’s New Government on Shaky Ground?

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party won a surprise victory in a by-election in the country’s biggest province.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
A man counts Afghan currency
A man counts Afghan currency

Afghanistan Still Wants Its Frozen Funds

But the United States is leery of giving the Taliban access to billions in cash.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Taliban fighters wait as people gather for a ceremony to raise the Taliban flag in Kabul.
Taliban fighters wait as people gather for a ceremony to raise the Taliban flag in Kabul.

The Taliban Detained Me for Doing My Job. I Can Never Go Back.

FP’s columnist on a harrowing return to Kabul, almost one year after the United States left Afghanistan.

Report |
Lynne O’Donnell
A man lifts a gas tank during a protest in Sri Lanka.
A man lifts a gas tank during a protest in Sri Lanka.

Inside Sri Lanka’s Devastating Economic Crisis

“We managed to survive the pandemic, but this is worse.”

Dispatch |
Devana Senanayake
A close up of Abe's face as he looks down with a serious expression in front of a red-orange background.
A close up of Abe's face as he looks down with a serious expression in front of a red-orange background.

The Many Contradictions of Shinzo Abe

Even as he pushed for closer U.S. ties, Japan’s former prime minister clung to his belief in the legitimacy of Japanese conquest.

Analysis |
Howard W. French
Two men sit together; one holds a gun
Two men sit together; one holds a gun

Meet the Taliban’s Would-Be Rainmaker

Hassib Habibi carries his convictions as easily as his AK-47. Now he has to resuscitate the Afghan economy.

Profile |
Ali M. Latifi
Kiribati’s seat sits empty at the Pacific Islands Forum.
Kiribati’s seat sits empty at the Pacific Islands Forum.

U.S. Raises the Ante in Pacific Islands After Chinese Swoop

But the Pacific Islands are loath to be pawns in a geopolitical game.

Report |
Robbie Gramer, Mary Yang, Jack Detsch
Biden and Lapid sit at a desk in front of large screens.
Biden and Lapid sit at a desk in front of large screens.

Another Quad Rises

At the I2U2’s first summit, India, Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. are in the mood for cooperation.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
People sit atop a howitzer.
People sit atop a howitzer.

South Korea Is Turbocharging Its Arms Sales Business

Seoul aims to become one of the world’s top arms exporters.

Situation Report |
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
An offering from Shinzo Abe at Yasukuni Shrine
An offering from Shinzo Abe at Yasukuni Shrine

Abe’s Nationalism Is His Most Toxic Legacy

U.S. elites were happy to overlook the late Japanese prime minister’s historical revisionism.

Argument |
S. Nathan Park
The bottom half of a person standing with plastic grocery bags is shown.
The bottom half of a person standing with plastic grocery bags is shown.

Pregnant Sri Lankans Fear ‘One Meal Per Day’

The food crisis is hitting the country’s most vulnerable the hardest.

Dispatch |
Dimuthu Attanayake
Protesters wave flags and chant slogans after taking control of the prime minister’s office.
Protesters wave flags and chant slogans after taking control of the prime minister’s office.

China Made a Failed Bet on Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa Family

Beijing’s investments in the island look shaky after protests topple the government.

Argument |
Michael Rowand
Fuel station employees and customers stand near fuel pumps under a fuel station sign that reads "Indian Oil."
Fuel station employees and customers stand near fuel pumps under a fuel station sign that reads "Indian Oil."

Why India Can’t Quit Russian Oil

Investments Indian and Russian public sector companies have made in each other’s oil sectors have created an umbilical cord between their energy industries.

Analysis |
Charu Sudan Kasturi
Protesters shout slogans during an ongoing anti-government demonstration near the president’s office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 19.
Protesters shout slogans during an ongoing anti-government demonstration near the president’s office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 19.

Sri Lanka’s Road to Ruin Was Political, Not Economic

The proximate cause for the protests is inflation, but the roots are in Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism.

Argument |
Neil DeVotta
A Chinese dredger pumps sand in Sri Lanka.
A Chinese dredger pumps sand in Sri Lanka.

China Is Stealing Taiwan’s Sand

A surprisingly precious resource is another front in gray zone warfare.

Argument |
Elisabeth Braw
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference.

Election Victories Empower Kishida’s Agenda for Japan

Abe’s killing may have boosted an already strong LDP vote.

Dispatch |
William Sposato
Afghan miners work.
Afghan miners work.

‘The Taliban Have Picked Up the Resource Curse’

The Taliban are strip-mining their mineral wealth to fund factional power grabs.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives for a bi-lateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May at the United Nations Headquarters on September 20, 2016 in New York City.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives for a bi-lateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May at the United Nations Headquarters on September 20, 2016 in New York City.

How Shinzo Abe Shaped Japan’s Foreign Policy

And made Tokyo a major player across the Indo-Pacific.

Flash Points |
FP Contributors
A person walks past a grid of mostly domestic movie posters in Seoul in 2006.
A person walks past a grid of mostly domestic movie posters in Seoul in 2006.

South Korea’s Film Rules Need a Reboot

The success of productions such as “Squid Game” and “Parasite” prove the industry can hold its own without excessive protectionism.

Argument |
Seoho Lee
A closeup photo shows a smiling Abe wearing a blue suit.
A closeup photo shows a smiling Abe wearing a blue suit.

How Shinzo Abe Changed Japan

The assassinated former prime minister leaves behind a complex legacy.

Obituary |
Tobias Harris
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam's Kilo Pier on December 27, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam's Kilo Pier on December 27, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Abe’s Legacy Will Outlive Him

Washington mourns the man who made Japan a real security ally in the Indo-Pacific.

Report |
Jack Detsch, Amy Mackinnon
People mourn former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's killing
People mourn former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's killing

‘How Could This Happen in Japan?’

Abe killing shocks one of the world’s safest countries.

Analysis |
William Sposato
Taliban fighters patrol Kabul.
Taliban fighters patrol Kabul.

Afghan Guns Are Arming Regional Insurgents

A flood of arms, including many from former Afghan soldiers, threatens to spark more violence.

Report |
Ruchi Kumar
Young people look down at their phones.
Young people look down at their phones.

Why Twitter Is Taking India to Court

The government’s crackdown on dissent puts it on a collision course with Big Tech.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the airport in Kabul on Aug. 16, 2021.
Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the airport in Kabul on Aug. 16, 2021.

The U.S. Needs to Find the Middle Ground on Afghanistan

Both maximalist and minimalist strategies have utterly failed.

Argument |
Sadiq Amini
A view of the Four Seasons hotel in Hong Kong on Feb. 1, 2017. Billionaire Xiao Jianhua was abducted from the property days earlier.
A view of the Four Seasons hotel in Hong Kong on Feb. 1, 2017. Billionaire Xiao Jianhua was abducted from the property days earlier.

How Xiao Jianhua Angered President Xi

What the kidnapping and trial of a former billionaire tell us about China’s ultrawealthy.

China Brief |
James Palmer
People walk near a large white mosque with green domes in the evening.
People walk near a large white mosque with green domes in the evening.

Uzbekistan’s Unrest, Explained

Violent protests over proposed changes to its status have swept the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan.

Explainer |
Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili
Men in Kabul's Deh Sabz district work on the back of a coal truck.
Men in Kabul's Deh Sabz district work on the back of a coal truck.

Taliban Wage War Over Coal in Northern Afghanistan

The battle for cash pits the Kabul extremists against Hazara locals.

Dispatch |
Stefanie Glinski
A child walks amid the rubble of damaged houses in Bermal district, Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23, following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake.
A child walks amid the rubble of damaged houses in Bermal district, Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23, following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake.

A Modest Proposal to Save Afghanistan—From Itself

With the Taliban at loggerheads and Afghanistan in chaos, one politician has a plan to stave off civil war.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
U.S. President Joe Biden sits with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
U.S. President Joe Biden sits with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

As Security Threats Mount, Japan and South Korea Begin (Carefully) Mending Fences

Prodded by Washington, Seoul and Tokyo are taking steps to overcome deep historical tensions.

Dispatch |
Robbie Gramer
A close-up of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's head
A close-up of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's head

Pyongyang’s Not Picking Up the Phone

Seoul and Washington have pledged they’re ready to talk with a nuclear-testing North Korea—but they’re not getting any response.

Dispatch |
Robbie Gramer
Members of the Student Federation of India push against a police barrier during a protest against the government's new Agnipath recruitment plan in Chennai, India, on June 22.
Members of the Student Federation of India push against a police barrier during a protest against the government's new Agnipath recruitment plan in Chennai, India, on June 22.

Has India’s Military Recruitment Plan Backfired?

The Agnipath plan has triggered protests among potential soldiers and criticism from veterans, but it’s not likely to dent Modi’s government.

Analysis |
Sumit Ganguly
Tanay and the unnamed paying guest in the film "Cobalt Blue."
Tanay and the unnamed paying guest in the film "Cobalt Blue."

Netflix India’s ‘Cobalt Blue’ Shows Queer Love—in Primary Colors

The recent LGBTQ film tries to give life to the complications of queer desire. It falters.

Review |
Mayukh Sen
A man views congestion in Kathmandu, Nepal
A man views congestion in Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal’s Big EV Bet

Is it a genuine push toward a cleaner—and safer—nation?

Dispatch |
Tulsi Rauniyar
Members of the Taliban stand in front of a Blackhawk helicopter.
Members of the Taliban stand in front of a Blackhawk helicopter.

Afghans Battle Another Blow After Big Earthquake

The Taliban can’t govern in normal times, let alone disaster response.

Dispatch |
Stefanie Glinski
(From left) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
(From left) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Japan Is Getting Real on Security After Ukraine

A flurry of moves is positioning Tokyo at the center of anti-China alliances.

Analysis |
William Sposato
Burqa-clad women wait in line for food.
Burqa-clad women wait in line for food.

The U.N. Knows Afghanistan Is Messed Up. But It’s Keeping Mum.

An internal United Nations report details escalating Taliban violations of human rights—and little U.N. leverage.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A US-made CH-47 helicopter flies an 18-meter by 12-meter national flag at a military base in Taoyuan on September 28, 2021.
A US-made CH-47 helicopter flies an 18-meter by 12-meter national flag at a military base in Taoyuan on September 28, 2021.

The Real Stakes of Taiwan

It’s not about democracy. It’s about power.

Analysis |
Howard W. French
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pose during a BRICS meeting at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pose during a BRICS meeting at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.

India Plays BRICS to Its Interests

New Delhi makes a fairly safe gamble by supporting the group—without putting itself at odds with the West.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
A missile is fired.
A missile is fired.

South Korea Stares Into the Nuclear Abyss

Stare, and the abyss stares back into you.

Situation Report |
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
A man uses a bottle to feed his newborn baby.
A man uses a bottle to feed his newborn baby.

Baby Formula Marketing Practices Are Still Too Aggressive

While American mothers can’t find enough formula, a new WHO report details why parents are getting too much in other parts of the world.

The Full Story |
Melissa Chan
Workers remove a banner
Workers remove a banner

‘The Lazarus Heist’ Is the Gripping Story of North Korean Cybercrime

Worryingly, Washington’s concern does not rise to the level of the danger.

Review |
Anthony Ruggiero
Afghan refugees sit around a makeshift tent in Pakistan.
Afghan refugees sit around a makeshift tent in Pakistan.

Leaning on Pakistan Can Get Abandoned Afghans to Safety

Thousands of Afghans who worked with the United States need a route out.

Argument |
Philip Caruso
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Washington Worries China Is Winning Over Thailand

One of the United States’ oldest security partners in Asia is increasingly marching to Beijing’s music.

Report |
Jack Detsch
Demonstrators carry pictures of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, during a protest in Karachi on Dec. 24, 2019.
Demonstrators carry pictures of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, during a protest in Karachi on Dec. 24, 2019.

Does South Asia Have a New Guard?

Many long-standing leaders are aging, raising questions about the longevity of the region’s political dynasties.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen shows his ballot to the media as he casts his vote at a polling station during local elections in Kandal province, Cambodia, on June 5.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen shows his ballot to the media as he casts his vote at a polling station during local elections in Kandal province, Cambodia, on June 5.

Hun Sen Stands in the Way of His Own Succession Plan

Cambodia’s prime minister has outmaneuvered political opponents and groomed his oldest son for power, but does he know when to walk away?

Analysis |
Andrew Nachemson
People walk past a television screen showing Kim Jong Un speaking in front of a bank of microphones.
People walk past a television screen showing Kim Jong Un speaking in front of a bank of microphones.

Ending North Korea’s Isolation Is the Only Solution Left

It’s time to consider what’s never been tried before.

Argument |
Howard W. French
Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, seen here in 2014, is a member of a group of exiled warlords and other leaders who want the Taliban to widen the makeup of Afghanistan's government and include them.
Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, seen here in 2014, is a member of a group of exiled warlords and other leaders who want the Taliban to widen the makeup of Afghanistan's government and include them.

Afghanistan’s Warlords Prepare Their Comeback

The regional capos who broke Afghanistan once before are angling to contest control of the country with the current Taliban rulers.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

India’s China Policy Is Confused

Two years after a deadly border clash, New Delhi appears wary of Beijing but unwilling to partner with Washington. These contradictions leave it open to exploitation.

Argument |
Sushant Singh
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele (left) escorts Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) on his arrival at the Honiara International Airport in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on May 25.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele (left) escorts Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) on his arrival at the Honiara International Airport in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on May 25.

Don’t Overreact to China’s Solomon Islands Plans

Naval power projection is a long way out for Beijing still.

Argument |
Lucas Myers
Cambodian navy personnel are seen walking along a jetty.
Cambodian navy personnel are seen walking along a jetty.

Washington Should Chill About China’s Cambodia Base

Americans need to recognize their own ugly history in Southeast Asia.

Argument |
Blake Herzinger
Supporters of Pakistan's Islamic and political Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party shout anti-India slogans during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 6.
Supporters of Pakistan's Islamic and political Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party shout anti-India slogans during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 6.

Will India’s Domestic Politics Dent Its Diplomacy?

Offensive remarks about Islam by ruling party leaders have consequences for New Delhi in Persian Gulf states.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Members of Taliban stand in front of the site where the Shahmama Buddha statue once stood before being destroyed in Afghanistan.
Members of Taliban stand in front of the site where the Shahmama Buddha statue once stood before being destroyed in Afghanistan.

The Taliban Take Aim at Buddhist Heritage

Afghanistan’s new rulers are looting the past—again.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The United States and India Need a Digital Handshake

Mistrust and disagreements over privacy have impeded a partnership that could transform the global digital economy.

Argument |
Anand Raghuraman, Justin Sherman
1a-afghanistan-embassy-illustration-hero-1200x628
1a-afghanistan-embassy-illustration-hero-1200x628

The Last Days of the Afghan Embassy

The Biden administration shut down a touchpoint for thousands of refugees from Afghanistan—and left its diplomats in agonizing limbo.

Feature |
Robbie Gramer
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan on June 28, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan on June 28, 2019.

Modi’s Multipolar Moment Has Arrived

India, now courted by all sides, is the clear beneficiary of Russia’s war.

Analysis |
Derek Grossman
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen at the U.S. State Department in Washington on April 4.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen at the U.S. State Department in Washington on April 4.

Is Biden Building a Broader South Asia Policy?

A planned visit by Nepal’s prime minister to Washington reflects expanding engagement in the region.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
The empty streets near the Pyongyang Railway Station
The empty streets near the Pyongyang Railway Station

Beijing and Washington Need a Joint Plan for North Korea’s COVID-19 Disaster

As Pyongyang claims success, the World Health Organization raises serious doubts.

Argument |
Doug Bandow
Members of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force run during training at their base camp in a forest in Myanmar's eastern Kayah state.
Members of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force run during training at their base camp in a forest in Myanmar's eastern Kayah state.

Myanmar Military Carries Out Atrocities in the East, Too

A distracted international community hasn’t been watching.

Report |
Mary Yang
Armed militants of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan pose for photographs.
Armed militants of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan pose for photographs.

Pakistan Sponsored Terror Next Door. Now, It’s Back to Roost

Afghans rue the return of the Taliban. So does Pakistan, as al Qaeda-linked militants run rampant.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
An Afghan news presenter takes a break.
An Afghan news presenter takes a break.

The World Is Still Failing Afghan Women

The Taliban are diplomatically feted even as they destroy women’s rights.

Argument |
Kelley Currie, Amy K. Mitchell
This aerial picture taken on October 16, 2021 shows trucks loaded with coal waiting near Gants Mod port at the Chinese border with Gashuun Sukhait, in Umnugovi province, in Mongolia.
This aerial picture taken on October 16, 2021 shows trucks loaded with coal waiting near Gants Mod port at the Chinese border with Gashuun Sukhait, in Umnugovi province, in Mongolia.

Mongolia Looks to Fuel Russia and China by Rail

Critical routes will be finished by the end of 2022.

Analysis |
Bolor Lkhaajav, Alex Turnbull
An aerial view of firebombed Tokyo in 1945.
An aerial view of firebombed Tokyo in 1945.

When Tokyo Burned

“Paper City” explores the forgotten firebombing of Japan’s capital.

Review |
Spencer Cohen
A primary and secondary school is destroyed.
A primary and secondary school is destroyed.

Al Qaeda Isn’t Dead Yet

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has put 9/11’s planners back in the terror cockpit.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Taiwanese reservists take part in military training at a base in Taoyuan on March 12, 2022.
Taiwanese reservists take part in military training at a base in Taoyuan on March 12, 2022.

Is Biden Being Machiavellian or Misguided on Taiwan?

The U.S. president’s surprise statement could deter China—or increase the risk of war.

It's Debatable |
Emma Ashford, Matthew Kroenig
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo in Tokyo on May 24.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo in Tokyo on May 24.

The Quad Looks West

At a leaders’ meeting in Tokyo, the group widened its strategic focus to include the Indian Ocean region.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
University students take part in a demonstration demanding the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s massive economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 19.
University students take part in a demonstration demanding the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the country’s massive economic crisis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 19.

Sri Lanka Is an Omen

To solve a global economic unwinding, the world must learn to focus on more than one crisis at a time.

Argument |
Mark Malloch-Brown
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd greets then-federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese.
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd greets then-federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese.

Kevin Rudd: Australia’s China Policy Requires a ‘Realist Premise’

“China ultimately respects strength and is contemptuous of weakness,” the former Australian prime minister said.

Q&A |
Amelia Lester
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol with U.S. President Joe Biden
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol with U.S. President Joe Biden

South Korea’s Conservatives Aren’t Any Tougher on China or North Korea Than Liberals

The new Yoon administration will stick to the same line Seoul always follows.

Argument |
S. Nathan Park
The Pillar of Shame is displayed at the campus of the University of Hong Kong.
The Pillar of Shame is displayed at the campus of the University of Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, a Once Liberal University Feels Beijing’s Weight

With protesters crushed and memorials removed, there’s no room for campus dissent.

Argument |
Karen Cheung
A supporter of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. holds pictures of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos, at a campaign rally
A supporter of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. holds pictures of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda Marcos, at a campaign rally

The Echoes of America’s Hypocrisy Abroad

Decades of Western support for dictators have caused a crisis of democracy.

Analysis |
Howard W. French
Workers load sacks of wheat on a freight train at Chawa Pail railway station in Khanna, India, on May 19.
Workers load sacks of wheat on a freight train at Chawa Pail railway station in Khanna, India, on May 19.

Why India Just Limited Wheat Exports

The decision recalls New Delhi’s COVID-19 vaccine export ban last year, with some key differences.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Solomon Islander Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare attends a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
Solomon Islander Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare attends a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Australia’s Got a Solomon Islands Headache (Again)

China’s expansion into the South Pacific caught Australia and the United States off guard.

Report |
Mary Yang, Jack Detsch
People sell vegetables under yellow tents.
People sell vegetables under yellow tents.

‘We Begged Them to Spare Our Shops’

In New Delhi, the BJP-controlled local government razes a market run by Muslim women.

Dispatch |
Haziq Qadri, Qadri Inzamam
University students speak with police during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
University students speak with police during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka’s President Is Girding Himself for the Long Haul

Despite two months of anti-government protests, Gotabaya Rajapaksa doesn’t seem like a leader preparing to relinquish power.

Analysis |
Virginia Jeffries, Laxmanan Sanjeev
265 people are evacuated out of Kabul.
265 people are evacuated out of Kabul.

Trump and Biden Let Afghanistan Collapse

The Taliban didn’t have to take over. But Washington made sure they would.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken participate in a virtual summit with the leaders of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue countries at the White House in Washington on March 12.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken participate in a virtual summit with the leaders of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue countries at the White House in Washington on March 12.

Why China Is Paranoid About the Quad

Beijing has long lived with U.S. alliances in Asia, but a realigned India would change the game.

Analysis |
C. Raja Mohan
Kim Jong Un wears a face mask on television
Kim Jong Un wears a face mask on television

North Korea May Be Trapped Between Famine and Plague

As COVID-19 sweeps through the country, outside help is desperately needed.

Analysis |
Ankit Panda
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the American Freedom Tour at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, on May 14.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the American Freedom Tour at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, on May 14.

Trump’s Poison Pills Are Still Toxic

Whether it’s Iran, China, Cuba, or immigration, U.S. President Joe Biden often finds himself stymied by his predecessor’s foreign policy.

Analysis |
Michael Hirsh
Sri Lankan security personnel walk inside outgoing Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's official residence a day after it was breached by protesters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 10.
Sri Lankan security personnel walk inside outgoing Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's official residence a day after it was breached by protesters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 10.

Why Sri Lanka’s Crisis Has No End in Sight

The turmoil driving unrest in Colombo and beyond has roots in the economic missteps of the last 20 years.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces take position.
Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces take position.

The Afghan Resistance Is Still Fighting

But without unity, arms, or a safe haven, it’s an uphill fight against the Islamists in Kabul.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Clive Palmer, chairman of the United Australia Party, prepares to speak at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on April 7.
Clive Palmer, chairman of the United Australia Party, prepares to speak at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on April 7.

How a Pair of Mining Fortunes Will Shape the Australian Election

Two wealthy men with opposing political views are riding a wave of discontent with the major parties.

Analysis |
Maddison Connaughton
A grid of video screens shows U.S President Joe Biden attends a virtual summit with ASEAN leaders/
A grid of video screens shows U.S President Joe Biden attends a virtual summit with ASEAN leaders/

Biden and Xi Struggle to Compete in Asia

What do the two superpowers have in common as they woo the region? Flawed strategies.

Analysis |
James Crabtree
Philippine presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Philippine presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

New Philippine President Marcos Is No Duterte on Foreign Policy

Monday’s victor intends to defend sovereignty against China and prioritize the U.S. alliance.

Analysis |
Derek Grossman
Demonstrators hold placards during a rally in support of Ukraine in Almaty, Kazakhstan on March 6.
Demonstrators hold placards during a rally in support of Ukraine in Almaty, Kazakhstan on March 6.

Former Soviet States Are Distancing Themselves From Their Old Imperial Master

The war in Ukraine is prompting countries from Kazakhstan to Moldova to reexamine their colonial past and seek diplomatic allies beyond the Kremlin.

Argument |
Erica Marat, Johan Engvall
U.S. Navy Capt. David Bretz (right) shakes hands with Vietnamese military officials during the arrival of the USNS Mercy in Nha Trang in central Vietnam on May 17, 2018.
U.S. Navy Capt. David Bretz (right) shakes hands with Vietnamese military officials during the arrival of the USNS Mercy in Nha Trang in central Vietnam on May 17, 2018.

Vietnam Relations Are a Quiet U.S. Victory Already

There’s no need to empower hard-liners by a potentially provocative upgrade.

Argument |
Brian Eyler
A burqa-clad woman with a child
A burqa-clad woman with a child

The Taliban Have Made the Burqa Mandatory Again

Hunger and poverty stalk the nation, but the Islamists want to disappear women from public life.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A bulldozer demolishes an illegal structure during a joint anti-encroachment drive conducted by North Delhi Municipal Corporation
A bulldozer demolishes an illegal structure during a joint anti-encroachment drive conducted by North Delhi Municipal Corporation

The World Ignored Russia’s Delusions. It Shouldn’t Make the Same Mistake With India.

Hindu nationalist ideologues in New Delhi are flirting with a dangerous revisionist history of South Asia.

Argument |
Sushant Singh
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on May 4.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on May 4.

Can Modi Overcome India’s Ukraine Stance?

The Indian prime minister’s trip to Europe this week shows there is still room for deepening ties with the West.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
A Taliban member stands guard outside of the Pul-e-Charkhi prison, located on the outskirts of Kabul, on Oct. 17, 2021.
A Taliban member stands guard outside of the Pul-e-Charkhi prison, located on the outskirts of Kabul, on Oct. 17, 2021.

Millions of Afghans Want to Flee. LGBTQ Afghans Have To.

Since the Taliban takeover last August, members of the Afghan LGBTQ community have faced electrocution, torture, killings, and fear.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A woman looks at burning funeral pyres during the COVID-19 pandemic in India
A woman looks at burning funeral pyres during the COVID-19 pandemic in India

India’s Official COVID-19 Death Toll Is Still an Undercount

As the World Health Organization seeks to revise global figures, politics in New Delhi stand in the way.

Analysis |
Sumit Ganguly, Dinsha Mistree
An Afghan worker works on the site of an ancient monastery discovered in Mes Aynak, in the eastern province of Logar on Nov. 23, 2010. The archaeological dig is located at the world's second-biggest unexploited copper mine.
An Afghan worker works on the site of an ancient monastery discovered in Mes Aynak, in the eastern province of Logar on Nov. 23, 2010. The archaeological dig is located at the world's second-biggest unexploited copper mine.

China Wants Its Investments in Afghanistan to Be Safer Than in Pakistan

Beijing could profit handsomely from Afghan resources and exports, but new ventures risk exposing Chinese nationals to violence.

Analysis |
Raffaello Pantucci, Ajmal Waziri
Protesters rally over energy prices in Kazakhstan.
Protesters rally over energy prices in Kazakhstan.

How Western Media Framed Kazakhstan’s Protests

A complicated conflict was reduced to an easy narrative of riots and chaos.

Argument |
Emily Couch, Sher Khashimov
Merrill Newman (top left) with some of the "Kuwol Comrades" he worked with during the Korean War.
Merrill Newman (top left) with some of the "Kuwol Comrades" he worked with during the Korean War.

How North Korean Paranoia Entrapped an 85-Year-Old American

Trauma and fears of espionage run deep in Pyongyang.

Analysis |
Mike Chinoy
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol dines with Maj. Gen. David Lesperance, commander of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division, and other soldiers at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on April 7.
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol dines with Maj. Gen. David Lesperance, commander of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division, and other soldiers at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on April 7.

Ukraine Has Asia Thinking About War

The return of major conflict is leading Asian countries to boost their militaries.

Analysis |
William Choong
Hasina Khatoon's family in their shack in the Jammu city of Indian- administered Kashmir on April 23. Hasina was separated from her family and deported to Myanmar last month.
Hasina Khatoon's family in their shack in the Jammu city of Indian- administered Kashmir on April 23. Hasina was separated from her family and deported to Myanmar last month.

India Abandons the Rohingyas

A deliberately ambiguous refugee policy allows the government to deny shelter to Muslims fleeing persecution.

Dispatch |
Qadri Inzamam, Haziq Qadri
Men rest by the riverside on a hot day in Allahabad, India, on April 28.
Men rest by the riverside on a hot day in Allahabad, India, on April 28.

South Asia’s Record-Breaking Heat Wave Isn’t Over Yet

The extreme weather in India and Pakistan is a sign of what’s to come for climate-vulnerable countries.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Buddhist monks take part in demonstration outside the president's office in Colombo on April 26.
Buddhist monks take part in demonstration outside the president's office in Colombo on April 26.

How the Rajapaksas Destroyed Sri Lanka’s Economy

Crony capitalism, protectionism, and corruption have caused havoc—uniting various ethnic groups, including Sinhalese Buddhists, in protest against the regime.

Argument |
Amita Arudpragasam
People watch a TV news program reporting on North Korea test-firing a weapon.
People watch a TV news program reporting on North Korea test-firing a weapon.

North Korea’s Tactical Nuclear Plans Are a Dangerous Proposition

Lowering the threshold for usage makes conflict even more likely.

Argument |
Ankit Panda
People watch a television screen showing a North Korean military parade.
People watch a television screen showing a North Korean military parade.

Flexibility Can Bring Pyongyang Back to Negotiations

Hard-line approaches to North Korea keep backfiring.

Argument |
David Kang, Jessica J. Lee
A man carries a child on his shoulders during an anti-government demonstration in Sri Lanka.
A man carries a child on his shoulders during an anti-government demonstration in Sri Lanka.

Inside Sri Lanka’s Unprecedented Mass Protests

Demonstrators have already made an impact but lack a unified agenda—and face a state notorious for crushing dissent.

Dispatch |
Devana Senanayake
Taiwanese Air Force pilots in olive green uniforms walk through a parking lot with the Taiwanese flag flying behind them.
Taiwanese Air Force pilots in olive green uniforms walk through a parking lot with the Taiwanese flag flying behind them.

Taiwan Doesn’t Need a Formal U.S. Security Guarantee

U.S. security cooperation is a more powerful demonstration of commitment than any declaration of intent.

Argument |
Ivan Kanapathy
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan hold flags.
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan hold flags.

Pakistan’s Military Ends Its Experiment With Hybrid Democracy

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ouster goes down as a failure for the generals’ intervention in domestic politics.

Analysis |
Abdul Basit
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda
Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda

Japan Finally Gets Inflation—but the Wrong Kind

After decades of fighting deflation, global price rises are causing political worries.

Analysis |
William Sposato
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Why Corruption Thrives in the Philippines

A Marcos might soon be back in power in Manila. That’s because political dynasties are more powerful than parties.

Analysis |
Daniel Bruno Davis
Syeda Lameeya Parween and her partner, Naina, play with their cats at their house in New Delhi on Feb. 21.
Syeda Lameeya Parween and her partner, Naina, play with their cats at their house in New Delhi on Feb. 21.

LGBTQI Muslims in India Find Solace in Their Pets

“The first living being to know that I am a gay was my pet parakeet.”

Photo Essay |
Saqib Mugloo, Shefali Rafiq
A nurse administers a Pfizer booster vaccine.
A nurse administers a Pfizer booster vaccine.

The Next Pandemic Doesn’t Have to Hit So Hard

Investing in global health security can provide critical insurance against disaster.

Argument |
Janet Yellen, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Sri Mulyani Indrawati
Taliban fighters in armored vehicles take part in a military parade.
Taliban fighters in armored vehicles take part in a military parade.

Afghanistan Regains Its Crown as Terror Central

The Taliban’s jihadi friends are back to threaten global security.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A smiling Imran Khan raises his fist in a gesture toward supporters during a rally.
A smiling Imran Khan raises his fist in a gesture toward supporters during a rally.

Imran Khan’s Dangerous Game

Khan’s nationalist politics have already polarized Pakistan. Now he’s emerged as an even more dangerous loser.

Argument |
Javid Ahmad, Douglas London
Demonstrators take part in a protest against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Demonstrators take part in a protest against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa Leadership Won’t Step Down

As the brothers helming the government struggle with a spiraling economic crisis, they still have legislators and generals behind them—for now.

Analysis |
Sumit Ganguly, Dinsha Mistree
Yahya, an Afghan who identifies as gay and a non-conforming person, poses during an interview at an undisclosed location on September 28, 2021.
Yahya, an Afghan who identifies as gay and a non-conforming person, poses during an interview at an undisclosed location on September 28, 2021.

What the Taliban Mean for Queer Afghans

In the absence of Western support, their lives are in danger as they struggle to flee. 

The Full Story |
Zahra Nader, Zahra Mousawi
A man holds a Chinese flag on a Chinese navy boat
A man holds a Chinese flag on a Chinese navy boat

China’s Taiwan Invasion Plans May Get Faster and Deadlier

Russian mistakes offer some warnings for Beijing’s ambitions.

Analysis |
Bonny Lin, John Culver
Eastern European nationals living in Taiwan stage a die-in.
Eastern European nationals living in Taiwan stage a die-in.

Beijing Is Used to Learning From Russian Failures

The invasion of Ukraine is offering useful lessons for the PLA.

Argument |
Oriana Skylar Mastro, Derek Scissors
U.S. President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh take part in a virtual meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington on April 11.
U.S. President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh take part in a virtual meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington on April 11.

Russia Still Looms Over U.S.-India Relationship

As New Delhi avoids condemning Moscow’s war, Washington has hardened its rhetoric.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurate a major road named after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during an agreement signing ceremony in New Delhi on April 8, 2017.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurate a major road named after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during an agreement signing ceremony in New Delhi on April 8, 2017.

The U.S. Should Stop Nickel and Diming India and Bangladesh

A low-cost program designed to promote economic development has shut out two key partners in Asia.

Argument |
Sanjay Kathuria
Afghan resistance forces take a rest as they patrol on a hilltop.
Afghan resistance forces take a rest as they patrol on a hilltop.

Afghan Resistance Groups Eye Spring Offensive

But internal divisions and the Taliban get a vote, too.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Dec. 11, 2014.
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Dec. 11, 2014.

Why India Won’t Condemn Russia

The world’s largest democracy is under pressure to join the West in sanctioning Moscow. But New Delhi wants to keep its options open.

Q&A |
Ravi Agrawal
Security personnel walk past a banner featuring Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan near the Parliament House building in Islamabad on April 3.
Security personnel walk past a banner featuring Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan near the Parliament House building in Islamabad on April 3.

Political Crisis Heightens U.S.-Pakistan Tensions

Faced with a no-confidence vote, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan accused Washington of meddling—reflecting long-standing mistrust.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
A Chinese soldier stands with Sri Lankan military personnel during a training exercise in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, on Sept. 23, 2019.
A Chinese soldier stands with Sri Lankan military personnel during a training exercise in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, on Sept. 23, 2019.

Across South Asia, U.S. and India Push Back Against China

Beijing’s strategic initiatives on the subcontinent are sputtering.

Analysis |
C. Raja Mohan
People hold candles during a rally to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine near the Russian Embassy in Seoul on March 4.
People hold candles during a rally to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine near the Russian Embassy in Seoul on March 4.

South Korea Must Pick a Side

Russia’s war in Ukraine has shown the “shrimp among whales” that hedging is no longer a viable foreign policy.

Analysis |
Sooyoung Oh
Modi and Putin meet
Modi and Putin meet

Why Most of the Indo-Pacific Tiptoes Around Russia

With Beijing and Moscow working so closely together, countries find it risky to support the West on Ukraine.

Analysis |
Derek Grossman
Protesters wave flags during a rally in Almaty.
Protesters wave flags during a rally in Almaty.

Kazakhstan’s Reforms Should Be More Than Just Show

Promised changes after January’s chaos are unpromising so far.

Argument |
Akbota Karibayeva, Jonathan Meyer
taiwan-china-us-war-games-nicolas-ortega-illustration
taiwan-china-us-war-games-nicolas-ortega-illustration

War-Gaming Taiwan: When Losing to China Is Winning

What military planners learn when they simulate a Chinese attack.

Analysis |
Jeremy Sepinsky, Sebastian J. Bae
Rangers stop a fishing boat for questioning at a bird sanctuary and protected area by Prek Toal floating village in Battambang province, Cambodia on October 14, 2020.
Rangers stop a fishing boat for questioning at a bird sanctuary and protected area by Prek Toal floating village in Battambang province, Cambodia on October 14, 2020.

China Is Choking Off Asia’s Most Important River

Upstream dams are destroying the Mekong Basin.

Excerpt |
Abby Seiff
Women wait in line during a World Food Program food distribution on the outskirts of Kabul.
Women wait in line during a World Food Program food distribution on the outskirts of Kabul.

Afghanistan’s Hungry Will Pay the Price for Putin’s War

The knock-on effects of Russia’s war on Ukraine are hammering wheat-dependent countries such as Afghanistan.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Schoolgirls look out through a window while attending class at their bullet-riddled school in the Afghan village of Arzo.
Schoolgirls look out through a window while attending class at their bullet-riddled school in the Afghan village of Arzo.

World Bank Freeze Leaves Afghanistan Bracing for Economic Impact

Amid Taliban crackdowns, the country continues to be locked out of billions of dollars in crucial international funds, with little resolution in sight.

Report |
Kelly Kimball, Jack Detsch
A meeting of foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
A meeting of foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan

The Taliban Didn’t Get Chinese Recognition, but They’re Getting Chinese Help

Multilateral talks in China this week shied from recognizing the Taliban, but Beijing is still playing ball.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A Taliban fighter stands guard at the venue for a ceremony to hoist the Taliban flag on the Wazir Akbar Khan hill in Kabul on March 31.
A Taliban fighter stands guard at the venue for a ceremony to hoist the Taliban flag on the Wazir Akbar Khan hill in Kabul on March 31.

The Taliban Hard-Liners Are Winning

Draconian steps on girls’ education and press freedom are taking Afghanistan back to the 1990s.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Men gather around bags containing heroin and hashish as they negotiate and check quality at a drug market on the outskirts of Kandahar on September 24, 2021.
Men gather around bags containing heroin and hashish as they negotiate and check quality at a drug market on the outskirts of Kandahar on September 24, 2021.

The New Geopolitics of the Taliban’s Opium Economy

Afghanistan’s narcotics trade is booming under fresh leadership.

Analysis |
Maysam Behravesh
Peace activists pose with mock nuclear missiles in Berlin.
Peace activists pose with mock nuclear missiles in Berlin.

The West Is With Ukraine. The Rest, Not So Much.

Africa and Asia’s long-standing ties to Russia and resentments against Washington keep them on the fence—for now.

Report |
Colum Lynch
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

For India, Putin’s War Starts to Look Like a Gift

From cheap Russian oil to sudden overtures from China, India’s neutral stance on Ukraine has many benefits.

Argument |
C. Raja Mohan
Girls attend class in Afghanistan.
Girls attend class in Afghanistan.

Taliban Reversal on Girls’ Education Ignites World’s Anger

The sudden about-face could undercut the Taliban’s hopes for international recognition.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
Main character Yusuke Kafuku leans against his red car as supporting character Misaki Watari sits behind the wheel.
Main character Yusuke Kafuku leans against his red car as supporting character Misaki Watari sits behind the wheel.

‘Drive My Car’ Could Change Japanese Cinema Forever

The Japanese film is up for an Academy Award at this year’s Oscars.

Review |
Eric Margolis
A shopkeeper waits for customers at a market in Pakistan.
A shopkeeper waits for customers at a market in Pakistan.

Will Pakistan’s Inflation Crisis Bring Down Imran Khan?

Political instability looms as the opposition brings a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.

Analysis |
Hajira Maryam
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan watches the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan watches the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad on March 23.

Imran Khan Faces His Biggest Political Test Yet

Ruling party defectors could doom the Pakistani prime minister in a no-confidence vote.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Rohingya refugees gather behind a barbed wire fence.
Rohingya refugees gather behind a barbed wire fence.

The U.S. Has Recognized Myanmar’s Genocide. But Is That Enough?

Rohingya activists and human rights defenders plead for more action against Myanmar’s military junta government.

Explainer |
Alexandra Sharp, Robbie Gramer
Vendors work at a market in Kabul.
Vendors work at a market in Kabul.

As the World Watches Ukraine, Afghanistan Goes Full Taliban

The Taliban are using detentions, repression, censorship, and killings to tighten their grip on power.

Report |
Lynne O’Donnell
Mahatma Gandhi In Paris
Mahatma Gandhi In Paris

Once Upon a Time, India Inspired the World

What today’s India can learn from the foreigners who once fought for its cause.

Review |
Salil Tripathi
Hong Kong’s Star Ferry
Hong Kong’s Star Ferry

How to Love Hong Kong Despite Everything

Surviving in the impossible city is still worth the price.

Excerpt |
Karen Cheung
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol gestures during a ceremony at the National Assembly Library in Seoul on March 10.
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol gestures during a ceremony at the National Assembly Library in Seoul on March 10.

South Korea’s New President Understands the Threat From Pyongyang

Yoon Suk-yeol’s victory tightens the alliance with Washington.

Argument |
Benjamin R. Young
Pakistani military helicopters fly past a vehicle carrying a long-range ballistic missile during a military parade on Pakistan's National Day in Islamabad on March 25, 2021.
Pakistani military helicopters fly past a vehicle carrying a long-range ballistic missile during a military parade on Pakistan's National Day in Islamabad on March 25, 2021.

The Missile Crisis That Wasn’t

India and Pakistan narrowly averted a security crisis while the world wasn’t looking, highlighting the risks of escalation in the region.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
People protest for political reform and the release of political prisoners in Kazakhstan.
People protest for political reform and the release of political prisoners in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan Can’t Torture Its Way to Stability

Until the Tokayev regime shows remorse for its brutal crackdown, the country’s reforms won’t bring progress.

Argument |
Botakoz Kassymbekova, Erica Marat
Bharatiya Janata Party supporters wait to catch a glimpse of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bharatiya Janata Party supporters wait to catch a glimpse of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

How the BJP Won Again in Uttar Pradesh

With a rare reelection in India’s most populous state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party may have found its winning formula.

Analysis |
Sumit Ganguly, Himanshu Jha
A wall mural painted on the wall of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
A wall mural painted on the wall of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

‘Nowhere to Turn to’: U.S. Forces Closure of Afghan Embassy

Afghan diplomats wanted to keep the flag raised but were running out of cash.

Report |
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
A pastor speaks during a online Christmas service from the Yoido Full Gospel Church on December 25, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea.
A pastor speaks during a online Christmas service from the Yoido Full Gospel Church on December 25, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea.

A Lame-Duck Moon Can Fix South Korea’s Refugee Failings

Persecuted Chinese Christians deserve asylum from Seoul.

Argument |
Doug Bandow
Gerry Rutterman and his daughter Kensey walk through floodwaters to return to their family home in Sydney on March 9.
Gerry Rutterman and his daughter Kensey walk through floodwaters to return to their family home in Sydney on March 9.

The ‘Rain Bomb’ That Could Shape the Australian Election

Devastating floods have yet again revealed the country is at the sharp end of climate change.

Dispatch |
Maddison Connaughton
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party celebrates with supporters at the party's headquarters in Seoul.
South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party celebrates with supporters at the party's headquarters in Seoul.

Misogyny and Real Estate Tax Produced Conservative Victory in South Korea

Five years after Park Geun-hye’s expulsion, a narrow win for the Korean right.

Analysis |
S. Nathan Park
A worker stacks oil barrels at a filling station in n Chennai, India, on Feb. 24.
A worker stacks oil barrels at a filling station in n Chennai, India, on Feb. 24.

Oil Price Surge Will Hit South Asia Hard

As net importers, the region’s countries are particularly vulnerable to shocks from sanctions against Russia.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
A soldier salutes next to an Akash missile system in India.
A soldier salutes next to an Akash missile system in India.

Can India’s Defense Industry Make It on the Export Market?

A recent sale to the Philippines is a major win, but India faces obstacles to its big ambitions.

Analysis |
Harsh V. Pant, Angad Singh
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov poses with an ancient Akhal-Teke breed three years old studhorse, Begkhan, that won an Inernational Annual Horse Beauty contest in Ashgabat on April 23, 2016.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov poses with an ancient Akhal-Teke breed three years old studhorse, Begkhan, that won an Inernational Annual Horse Beauty contest in Ashgabat on April 23, 2016.

Turkmenistan Is All About the Berdimuhamedovs

Central Asia is about to receive its first dynastic family.

Analysis |
Maximilian Hess, Luca Anceschi
Aurat March women's activists march in Pakistan.
Aurat March women's activists march in Pakistan.

Pakistan Broaches ‘Hijab Day’ for International Women’s Day

In one of the worst places to be a woman, politicians are doubling down.

Analysis |
Lynne O’Donnell
A man looks at posters ahead of South Korea's presidential election.
A man looks at posters ahead of South Korea's presidential election.

South Korea Wants to Be a Player, Not a Bystander

With elections close, a rising country considers its place in the world.

Argument |
Kuyoun Chung, Andrew Yeo
Tea pickers remove weeds at an organic tea plantation.
Tea pickers remove weeds at an organic tea plantation.

In Sri Lanka, Organic Farming Went Catastrophically Wrong

A nationwide experiment is abandoned after producing only misery.

Analysis |
Ted Nordhaus, Saloni Shah
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Yogi Adityanath waves to supporters from atop a truck during campaigning in Allahabad, India, on Feb. 25.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Yogi Adityanath waves to supporters from atop a truck during campaigning in Allahabad, India, on Feb. 25.

The Uttar Pradesh Elections Are a Referendum on BJP Rule

The ruling party is expected to win, but its future is also on the ballot in India’s most populous state.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
People hold placards protesting Russia’s invasion in India.
People hold placards protesting Russia’s invasion in India.

India Must Take a Stand on Russia’s War in Ukraine

New Delhi’s fence-sitting no longer serves its diplomatic or security interests.

Argument |
Sumit Ganguly
Azad stands on a platform above a crowd wearing a blue scarf.
Azad stands on a platform above a crowd wearing a blue scarf.

The Dalit Politician Shaking Up Uttar Pradesh’s Elections

Chandrashekhar Azad has rebranded his marginalized caste identity as something to be proud of.

Analysis |
Suprakash Majumdar
Manzoor Pashteen, the Pakistani tribal leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, takes part in an interview with Agence France-Presse in Islamabad on April 6, 2018.
Manzoor Pashteen, the Pakistani tribal leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, takes part in an interview with Agence France-Presse in Islamabad on April 6, 2018.

Pakistani Pashtun Leader: Nationalism Is a ‘Reaction Against the Racist Policies of the State’

Manzoor Pashteen is a rising political star willing to speak out on taboo subjects.

Q&A |
Lynne O’Donnell
Japan's foreign minister meets with Ukraine's ambassador
Japan's foreign minister meets with Ukraine's ambassador

Japan Steps Up on Ukraine

Tokyo is moving slower than Europe but is ready to act.

Analysis |
James D.J. Brown, William Sposato
In this picture taken on October 1, 2020, women wait with their children at a government-run maternity clinic in a rural area of Dand district in Kandahar province.
In this picture taken on October 1, 2020, women wait with their children at a government-run maternity clinic in a rural area of Dand district in Kandahar province.

The Taliban Are Harming Afghan Women’s Health

Afghanistan’s new government is imposing discriminatory restrictions on the health care system.

The Full Story |
Zahra Nader, Nargis Amini
Members of the Uzbek Taliban
Members of the Uzbek Taliban

Taliban Struggle to Maintain Unity Six Months Into Their Reign

“People don’t trust us yet, but we’re working on it,” one Taliban commander said.

Dispatch |
Stefanie Glinski
Protesters against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Taipei, Taiwan.
Protesters against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Taipei, Taiwan.

Taiwan Is Rethinking Defense in Wake of Ukraine Invasion

Western support for endangered democracies can only go so far.

Analysis |
Hilton Yip
A man reads a newspaper that hangs on a line with others.
A man reads a newspaper that hangs on a line with others.

Pakistan’s New Media Crackdown Threatens Press Freedom

The army and the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency want to eradicate any criticism.

Report |
Lynne O’Donnell
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he boards a plane while departing Australia.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he boards a plane while departing Australia.

Biden Hasn’t Taken His Eyes off the Ball in Asia

The new U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy shows the White House is keeping its focus on the region even as it grapples with Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Analysis |
Sumit Ganguly
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan takes part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow on Feb. 24.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan takes part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow on Feb. 24.

What the Russia-Ukraine Crisis Means for South Asia

Putin’s invasion puts some countries in a diplomatic and economic bind.

South Asia Brief |
Michael Kugelman
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a press conference.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a press conference.

Why Australia’s Chief Spy Rebuked Its Prime Minister Over China

A successful strategy to counter Beijing’s influence is falling prey to politics.

Argument |
Misha Zelinsky
Imran Khan in Kabul
Imran Khan in Kabul

Imran Khan Goes to Moscow as Pakistan Romances Russia

A warming relationship adds a new twist to South Asian geopolitics.

Argument |
C. Raja Mohan
Residents of Quetta hold candle lights beside photographs of security personnel who were killed in militant attacks on security camps in the Nushki and Panjgur areas of Balochistan province.
Residents of Quetta hold candle lights beside photographs of security personnel who were killed in militant attacks on security camps in the Nushki and Panjgur areas of Balochistan province.

Pakistan Faces ‘Peace of Wolves’ as Regional Tensions Rise

After 20 years of supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan, Pakistan finds the tables are turning as militancy comes home.

Dispatch |
Lynne O’Donnell
Chin National Army (CNA) soldiers perform military exercises at a training facility inside the CNA Victoria Camp, in Thantlang township, Myanmar.
Chin National Army (CNA) soldiers perform military exercises at a training facility inside the CNA Victoria Camp, in Thantlang township, Myanmar.

Military Violence Emboldens Myanmar’s Ethnic Resistance

Armed groups in Chin state are outgunned and underfunded, but they are defiantly standing their ground against the junta.

Dispatch |
Alex McBride
Taiwan's Ta Chiang corvette fires off flares during a drill.
Taiwan's Ta Chiang corvette fires off flares during a drill.

Beijing Could Run Russia’s Playbook on Taiwan

The Ukraine crisis should refocus thinking on China’s threats.

Argument |
Dan Blumenthal
Protesters hold signs including one showing a cartoon of a U.S. soldier handing a child with missing arms a piece of candy, with the caption "Gift."
Protesters hold signs including one showing a cartoon of a U.S. soldier handing a child with missing arms a piece of candy, with the caption "Gift."

A Better Use of Frozen Afghan Funds

The reserves belong to the Afghan people, not the United States or the Taliban.

Analysis |
Charli Carpenter
Vietnamese border guards sit at the entrance of the border gate where container trucks remained stuck.
Vietnamese border guards sit at the entrance of the border gate where container trucks remained stuck.

Southeast Asian Traders Are Paying the Cost of China’s Border Policies

The impact of a zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy goes beyond rotting fruits.

Report |
Mary Yang
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Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan
Two unidentified military vessels off Taiwan

Beijing’s Taiwan Aggression Has Backfired in Tokyo

Military exercises have stiffened Japanese resolve.

Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Russian Navy Day parade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Russian Navy Day parade.

Russia Is Readying the Zinc Coffins Again

U.S. officials believe Russia is facing its toughest fight since World War II.

Cargo ships are seen at a harbor in Taiwan.
Cargo ships are seen at a harbor in Taiwan.

Shipping Is Staying Cool About Taiwan

The maritime insurance industry sees little elevated risk from China’s exercises.

Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.
Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.

The Taliban Are Wrecking Ashura Too

Afghanistan’s extremist rulers are cracking down on minorities, especially Shiites, as hard as they have on women.

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