
Asia

Shipping Is Staying Cool About Taiwan
The maritime insurance industry sees little elevated risk from China’s exercises.

The Taliban Are Wrecking Ashura Too
Afghanistan’s extremist rulers are cracking down on minorities, especially Shiites, as hard as they have on women.

Beijing’s Taiwan Aggression Has Backfired in Tokyo
Military exercises have stiffened Japanese resolve.

South Korea’s Presidential Snub of Pelosi Was an Unforced Blunder
Yoon Suk-yeol simply isn’t up to international diplomacy.

The Built-In Brutality of Myanmar’s Military
Ignoring what everyone else thinks is part of the junta’s mindset.

China’s Military Exercises Aren’t a Crisis—Yet
Analysts have been keen to make comparisons to tensions in 1996.

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

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.

In Sri Lanka, the Military Still Runs the Show
The international community has a part to play in ending its culture of impunity.

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.

China Responds to Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip
Many on social media expressed anger that the government hadn’t followed through on its fiery rhetoric.

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.

Taliban Killings Skyrocket in Forgotten Afghanistan
A new report exposes the regime’s shocking brutality.

Pakistan’s Narrative Problem
Years of propaganda have given Pakistanis an unrealistic understanding of what ails their country.

China Is Stepping Up Its Information War on Taiwan
Pelosi’s visit is another spur for Beijing’s disinformation campaign.

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.

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.

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.

China Is Doomed to Play a Significant Role in Afghanistan
Beijing is desperate to avoid being trapped in Kabul’s politics.

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.

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.

Pelosi Visit Sets Up No-Win Situation on Taiwan
Damned if she goes, damned if she doesn’t.

Central Asia Steps Up Its Regional Diplomacy
Uzbekistan hosts two major summits this week with consequences for neighboring South Asia, particularly Afghanistan.

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.

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.

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.

What Does Nancy Pelosi Think She’s Doing in Taiwan?
A risky trip seems more about dramatic gestures than actual help.

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.

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.

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.

Afghanistan Still Wants Its Frozen Funds
But the United States is leery of giving the Taliban access to billions in cash.

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.

Inside Sri Lanka’s Devastating Economic Crisis
“We managed to survive the pandemic, but this is worse.”

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.

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.

U.S. Raises the Ante in Pacific Islands After Chinese Swoop
But the Pacific Islands are loath to be pawns in a geopolitical game.

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

South Korea Is Turbocharging Its Arms Sales Business
Seoul aims to become one of the world’s top arms exporters.

Abe’s Nationalism Is His Most Toxic Legacy
U.S. elites were happy to overlook the late Japanese prime minister’s historical revisionism.

Pregnant Sri Lankans Fear ‘One Meal Per Day’
The food crisis is hitting the country’s most vulnerable the hardest.

China Made a Failed Bet on Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa Family
Beijing’s investments in the island look shaky after protests topple the government.

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.

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.

China Is Stealing Taiwan’s Sand
A surprisingly precious resource is another front in gray zone warfare.

Election Victories Empower Kishida’s Agenda for Japan
Abe’s killing may have boosted an already strong LDP vote.

‘The Taliban Have Picked Up the Resource Curse’
The Taliban are strip-mining their mineral wealth to fund factional power grabs.

How Shinzo Abe Shaped Japan’s Foreign Policy
And made Tokyo a major player across the Indo-Pacific.

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.

How Shinzo Abe Changed Japan
The assassinated former prime minister leaves behind a complex legacy.

Abe’s Legacy Will Outlive Him
Washington mourns the man who made Japan a real security ally in the Indo-Pacific.

‘How Could This Happen in Japan?’
Abe killing shocks one of the world’s safest countries.

Afghan Guns Are Arming Regional Insurgents
A flood of arms, including many from former Afghan soldiers, threatens to spark more violence.

Why Twitter Is Taking India to Court
The government’s crackdown on dissent puts it on a collision course with Big Tech.

The U.S. Needs to Find the Middle Ground on Afghanistan
Both maximalist and minimalist strategies have utterly failed.

How Xiao Jianhua Angered President Xi
What the kidnapping and trial of a former billionaire tell us about China’s ultrawealthy.

Uzbekistan’s Unrest, Explained
Violent protests over proposed changes to its status have swept the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan.

Taliban Wage War Over Coal in Northern Afghanistan
The battle for cash pits the Kabul extremists against Hazara locals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nepal’s Big EV Bet
Is it a genuine push toward a cleaner—and safer—nation?

Afghans Battle Another Blow After Big Earthquake
The Taliban can’t govern in normal times, let alone disaster response.

Japan Is Getting Real on Security After Ukraine
A flurry of moves is positioning Tokyo at the center of anti-China alliances.

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.


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 Korea Stares Into the Nuclear Abyss
Stare, and the abyss stares back into you.

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 Lazarus Heist’ Is the Gripping Story of North Korean Cybercrime
Worryingly, Washington’s concern does not rise to the level of the danger.

Leaning on Pakistan Can Get Abandoned Afghans to Safety
Thousands of Afghans who worked with the United States need a route out.

Washington Worries China Is Winning Over Thailand
One of the United States’ oldest security partners in Asia is increasingly marching to Beijing’s music.

Does South Asia Have a New Guard?
Many long-standing leaders are aging, raising questions about the longevity of the region’s political dynasties.

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?

Ending North Korea’s Isolation Is the Only Solution Left
It’s time to consider what’s never been tried before.

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.

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.

Don’t Overreact to China’s Solomon Islands Plans
Naval power projection is a long way out for Beijing still.

Washington Should Chill About China’s Cambodia Base
Americans need to recognize their own ugly history in Southeast Asia.

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.

The Taliban Take Aim at Buddhist Heritage
Afghanistan’s new rulers are looting the past—again.

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.

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.

Modi’s Multipolar Moment Has Arrived
India, now courted by all sides, is the clear beneficiary of Russia’s war.

Is Biden Building a Broader South Asia Policy?
A planned visit by Nepal’s prime minister to Washington reflects expanding engagement in the region.

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.

Myanmar Military Carries Out Atrocities in the East, Too
A distracted international community hasn’t been watching.

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.

The World Is Still Failing Afghan Women
The Taliban are diplomatically feted even as they destroy women’s rights.

Mongolia Looks to Fuel Russia and China by Rail
Critical routes will be finished by the end of 2022.

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

Al Qaeda Isn’t Dead Yet
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has put 9/11’s planners back in the terror cockpit.

Is Biden Being Machiavellian or Misguided on Taiwan?
The U.S. president’s surprise statement could deter China—or increase the risk of war.

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

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.

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.

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.

In Hong Kong, a Once Liberal University Feels Beijing’s Weight
With protesters crushed and memorials removed, there’s no room for campus dissent.

The Echoes of America’s Hypocrisy Abroad
Decades of Western support for dictators have caused a crisis of democracy.

Why India Just Limited Wheat Exports
The decision recalls New Delhi’s COVID-19 vaccine export ban last year, with some key differences.

Australia’s Got a Solomon Islands Headache (Again)
China’s expansion into the South Pacific caught Australia and the United States off guard.

‘We Begged Them to Spare Our Shops’
In New Delhi, the BJP-controlled local government razes a market run by Muslim women.

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.

Trump and Biden Let Afghanistan Collapse
The Taliban didn’t have to take over. But Washington made sure they would.

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.

North Korea May Be Trapped Between Famine and Plague
As COVID-19 sweeps through the country, outside help is desperately needed.

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.

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.

The Afghan Resistance Is Still Fighting
But without unity, arms, or a safe haven, it’s an uphill fight against the Islamists in Kabul.

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.

Biden and Xi Struggle to Compete in Asia
What do the two superpowers have in common as they woo the region? Flawed strategies.

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.

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.

Vietnam Relations Are a Quiet U.S. Victory Already
There’s no need to empower hard-liners by a potentially provocative upgrade.

The Taliban Have Made the Burqa Mandatory Again
Hunger and poverty stalk the nation, but the Islamists want to disappear women from public life.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How Western Media Framed Kazakhstan’s Protests
A complicated conflict was reduced to an easy narrative of riots and chaos.

How North Korean Paranoia Entrapped an 85-Year-Old American
Trauma and fears of espionage run deep in Pyongyang.

Ukraine Has Asia Thinking About War
The return of major conflict is leading Asian countries to boost their militaries.

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

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.

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.

North Korea’s Tactical Nuclear Plans Are a Dangerous Proposition
Lowering the threshold for usage makes conflict even more likely.

Flexibility Can Bring Pyongyang Back to Negotiations
Hard-line approaches to North Korea keep backfiring.

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.

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.

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.

Japan Finally Gets Inflation—but the Wrong Kind
After decades of fighting deflation, global price rises are causing political worries.

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.

LGBTQI Muslims in India Find Solace in Their Pets
“The first living being to know that I am a gay was my pet parakeet.”

The Next Pandemic Doesn’t Have to Hit So Hard
Investing in global health security can provide critical insurance against disaster.

Afghanistan Regains Its Crown as Terror Central
The Taliban’s jihadi friends are back to threaten global security.

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

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.

What the Taliban Mean for Queer Afghans
In the absence of Western support, their lives are in danger as they struggle to flee.

China’s Taiwan Invasion Plans May Get Faster and Deadlier
Russian mistakes offer some warnings for Beijing’s ambitions.

Beijing Is Used to Learning From Russian Failures
The invasion of Ukraine is offering useful lessons for the PLA.

Russia Still Looms Over U.S.-India Relationship
As New Delhi avoids condemning Moscow’s war, Washington has hardened its rhetoric.

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.

Afghan Resistance Groups Eye Spring Offensive
But internal divisions and the Taliban get a vote, too.

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.

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.

Across South Asia, U.S. and India Push Back Against China
Beijing’s strategic initiatives on the subcontinent are sputtering.

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.

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.

Kazakhstan’s Reforms Should Be More Than Just Show
Promised changes after January’s chaos are unpromising so far.

War-Gaming Taiwan: When Losing to China Is Winning
What military planners learn when they simulate a Chinese attack.

China Is Choking Off Asia’s Most Important River
Upstream dams are destroying the Mekong Basin.

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.

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.

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.

The Taliban Hard-Liners Are Winning
Draconian steps on girls’ education and press freedom are taking Afghanistan back to the 1990s.

The New Geopolitics of the Taliban’s Opium Economy
Afghanistan’s narcotics trade is booming under fresh leadership.

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.

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.

Taliban Reversal on Girls’ Education Ignites World’s Anger
The sudden about-face could undercut the Taliban’s hopes for international recognition.

‘Drive My Car’ Could Change Japanese Cinema Forever
The Japanese film is up for an Academy Award at this year’s Oscars.

Will Pakistan’s Inflation Crisis Bring Down Imran Khan?
Political instability looms as the opposition brings a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.

Imran Khan Faces His Biggest Political Test Yet
Ruling party defectors could doom the Pakistani prime minister in a no-confidence vote.

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.

As the World Watches Ukraine, Afghanistan Goes Full Taliban
The Taliban are using detentions, repression, censorship, and killings to tighten their grip on power.

Once Upon a Time, India Inspired the World
What today’s India can learn from the foreigners who once fought for its cause.

How to Love Hong Kong Despite Everything
Surviving in the impossible city is still worth the price.

South Korea’s New President Understands the Threat From Pyongyang
Yoon Suk-yeol’s victory tightens the alliance with Washington.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

A Lame-Duck Moon Can Fix South Korea’s Refugee Failings
Persecuted Chinese Christians deserve asylum from Seoul.

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.

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.

Oil Price Surge Will Hit South Asia Hard
As net importers, the region’s countries are particularly vulnerable to shocks from sanctions against Russia.

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.

Turkmenistan Is All About the Berdimuhamedovs
Central Asia is about to receive its first dynastic family.

Pakistan Broaches ‘Hijab Day’ for International Women’s Day
In one of the worst places to be a woman, politicians are doubling down.

South Korea Wants to Be a Player, Not a Bystander
With elections close, a rising country considers its place in the world.

In Sri Lanka, Organic Farming Went Catastrophically Wrong
A nationwide experiment is abandoned after producing only misery.

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.

India Must Take a Stand on Russia’s War in Ukraine
New Delhi’s fence-sitting no longer serves its diplomatic or security interests.

The Dalit Politician Shaking Up Uttar Pradesh’s Elections
Chandrashekhar Azad has rebranded his marginalized caste identity as something to be proud of.

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.

Japan Steps Up on Ukraine
Tokyo is moving slower than Europe but is ready to act.

The Taliban Are Harming Afghan Women’s Health
Afghanistan’s new government is imposing discriminatory restrictions on the health care system.

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.

Taiwan Is Rethinking Defense in Wake of Ukraine Invasion
Western support for endangered democracies can only go so far.

Pakistan’s New Media Crackdown Threatens Press Freedom
The army and the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency want to eradicate any criticism.

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.

What the Russia-Ukraine Crisis Means for South Asia
Putin’s invasion puts some countries in a diplomatic and economic bind.

Why Australia’s Chief Spy Rebuked Its Prime Minister Over China
A successful strategy to counter Beijing’s influence is falling prey to politics.

Imran Khan Goes to Moscow as Pakistan Romances Russia
A warming relationship adds a new twist to South Asian geopolitics.

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.

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.

Beijing Could Run Russia’s Playbook on Taiwan
The Ukraine crisis should refocus thinking on China’s threats.

A Better Use of Frozen Afghan Funds
The reserves belong to the Afghan people, not the United States or the Taliban.

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.