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Ian Storey on Russia’s Turn to Southeast Asia

Under President Vladimir Putin, Moscow has attempted to expand its influence in the region – with mixed results.

Published on: July 15, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Cambodia to Begin Military Conscription Amid Thai Border Dispute, PM Says

Hun Manet has announced plans to begin enforcing a military conscription law that was passed in 2006.

Published on: July 15, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

India can't wish away coal - but can it be made cleaner?

The country heavily relies on coal-powered thermal plants to meet its daily energy requirements.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

Revival of Hindu Politics in Nepal: An Interview with Biswas Baral

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Hindu Nationalism in the Indian Diaspora: An Interview with Dr. Edward Anderson

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

What Caused the Air India Crash? None of the Theories Holds Up – Yet

The preliminary report has led to unfounded speculation and theories that are currently not supported by the evidence.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Indonesia Is Out of Step With the Global Arms Race

In a world rearming rapidly amid rising geopolitical tensions, Indonesia’s restrained defense spending and fragmented military modernization efforts raise questions about its readiness.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Kazakhstan Bans Veils in an Effort to Heighten Security

As the last country in Central Asia to do so, Kazakhstan has outlawed face coverings to increase public safety, a move that might put religious groups under pressure.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Recall Campaigns Reach Fever Pitch in Taiwan

With less than two weeks until voting, both the KMT and DPP are ramping up outreach to their supporters.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

India orders airlines to check fuel switches on Boeing jets

India's aviation regulator gives airlines that operate in the country a week to comply with the order.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

To Cut Emissions, South Korea Must Leave the Gasoline Engine Behind

Transport sector emissions in South Korea remain stubbornly high. In fact, the adoption of EVs is slowing down.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s Visit to Mongolia Emphasizes ‘Special Strategic Partnership’

The Japanese monarch's first state visit to Mongolia acknowledged the past while looking toward the future of the two democracies' ties.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Nudging Indigenization: Competition in India’s AIP Submarine Program

India’s Ministry of Defense and the Indian Navy could benefit from competition-induced innovation and cost-related silver linings.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Africa and China: Turning FOCAC’s Strategic Upgrades Into Real Outcomes

FOCAC 2024 marked a milestone, but 2025 is the year that will test whether upgraded ties can deliver real outcomes.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Hindutva International: The Globalization of Hindu Politics Outside India

Biswas Baral and Edward Anderson explore the rise of Hindu politics outside India, and how it is changing the dynamic of Hindu communities and diaspora worldwide.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

First Indian astronaut to visit ISS heads back to Earth

The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission with Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to splash down in just under 24 hours.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

Who Is to Blame When Things Go Wrong on the Slopes of an Active Volcano?

The recent death of the Brazilian hiker Juliana Marins has led to accusations of Indonesian incompetence, and even threats of legal action.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

German backpacker lost in outback 'beyond grateful' to be found

Carolina Wilga says she survived for 11 days thanks to the "incredible" support from people searching for her.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

Don't vilify Air India crash crew: Indian pilots' association

Earlier, India's aviation minister said not to jump to conclusions and another pilots' group criticised the report.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

Tokyo, Manila moves arouse Chinese concerns about Asian mini NATO

Manila’s adoption of Japan’s “one theater concept” has further escalated tensions with China. Proposed in March this year, the concept breaks from Tokyo’s traditional security outlook and views the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Korean Peninsula as a “single theater.” Analysts in Chinese news media were quick to read it as […] The post Tokyo, Manila moves arouse Chinese concerns about Asian mini NATO...

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: Asia Times

Housing-starved Hong Kong turns Covid quarantine site into hostel

A youth hostel aims to house thousands of young Hong Kongers as the city deals with a housing crisis.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

Khmer Rouge Execution, Torture Sites Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The Cambodian government says that the three sites “bear irrefutable evidence of events amounting to one of the most serious abuses of human rights in the 20th century.”

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Meteor Garden's boy band F4 thrills fans with surprise reunion

The Taiwanese boy band shot to stardom in the early 2000s after starring in the hit TV drama Meteor Garden.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

Indonesia, EU Announce Agreement to Advance Free Trade Pact

Facing significant U.S. tariffs, Jakarta and Brussels have expedited negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Published on: July 14, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

When Are State-owned Companies Not Interfering in the Affairs of Another Country?

Since its founding, ASEAN has built an entire edifice of regional diplomacy on an incoherent principle.

Published on: July 13, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Nickel For EVs Threatens the Last Nomadic Peoples in Indonesia

The indigenous O'Hongana Manyawa tribe lives in remote pockets of Halmahera island, a hub of environmentally destructive nickel processing facilities.

Published on: July 13, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Sri Lanka’s Tariff Shock

Overdependence on a few markets and a narrow base of products has made the country vulnerable.

Published on: July 13, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Why is India Pushing Back Suspected Infiltrators to Bangladesh?

Illegal immigration to India appears to have increased following the collapse of the Awami League regime in August last year.

Published on: July 13, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

Hasina Had to Fall, But Political Rhetoric Could Imperil Bangladesh’s Democracy

Words like "fascist," "revolution," "enemy of Islam," and "genocide" have been used to describe Hasina’s rule. But are any of these labels correct?

Published on: July 13, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

South Korea medical students end 17-month boycott of classes

It is not clear when the students will return, but the government has welcomed the news.

Published on: July 13, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

China unveils carrier power – but global reach remains elusive

China has unveiled its stealth carrier jet program, revealing not only cutting-edge warplanes but a bold bid to redefine naval power in the Indo-Pacific. This month, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China publicly revealed the production facilities of its fifth-generation stealth fighter jets for the first time, signaling progress toward deploying these […] The post China unveils carrier power – but...

Published on: July 13, 2025 | Source: Asia Times

Meet the women who study pole dancing in modern Shanghai

From outside, China is often portrayed as a demure, conservative country. But inside a Shanghai pole-dancing school tucked at the far end of the hall in an otherwise nondescript office building, a different side of the city is revealed. Only a wall of boots is visible beyond the door … although, amid the loud music […] The post Meet the women who study pole dancing in modern Shanghai appeared first on Asia Times.

Published on: July 13, 2025 | Source: Asia Times

Why cockpit audio deepens the mystery of Air India crash

Fuel cut-off switches were flipped seconds after take-off, a preliminary report finds.

Published on: July 12, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia

The Biggest Misconception About the Philippines’ South China Sea Case Against China

The Permanent Court of Arbitration did not decide the claims brought by the Philippines against China, an arbitral tribunal established under Annex VII of UNCLOS did.

Published on: July 12, 2025 | Source: The Diplomat

'Was this avoidable?': Families of Air India crash victims seek answers

Grieving relatives of some of the 260 victims are looking for more answers after a preliminary report.

Published on: July 12, 2025 | Source: BBC Asia