South East Asia

How Ukraine War Is Changing The World Order

The change in history has been triggered by the Ukraine war, in the heart of Europe and it has given rise to a new order that is going to affect the international arena for decades. In other words, with Washington and Moscow, as the world’s greatest military powers, going head-to-head …

Read More »

The New Nuclear Age

How China’s Growing Nuclear Arsenal Threatens Deterrence In late June 2021, satellite images revealed that China was building 120 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos on the edge of the Gobi Desert. This was followed by the revelation a few weeks later that another 110 missile silos were under construction in …

Read More »

With Russian Route Blocked, Uzbekistan Looks to Indian-Iranian-Afghan Chabahar Port Project

The Russo-Ukraine war, the extensive Western sanctions against Russia, and the growing possibility that European border states will block east-west transit corridors traversing Russian territory into Europe are having far-reaching implications for the landlocked countries of Central Asia, which have historically relied on road and rail corridors through Russia to …

Read More »

Deterring China: U.S. Should Arm Taiwan to the Hilt – Now

Whether or not China plans to invade Taiwan now, it is time for the United States to ditch decades of misguided policy. Among other things, Washington should, on an emergency basis, begin arming the island with the weapons it urgently needs. Unfortunately, Xi Jinping, the extraordinarily ambitious and bold Chinese …

Read More »

The Ukraine War And Its Bearing On China – Analysis

The Ukraine war is now seemingly headed for a climax. Given how things have gone so far, it would be foolhardy to offer a prediction of the future. Russia has suffered grievous blows, but it retains a vast capacity to bring even more death and destruction in Ukraine. As for …

Read More »

Layoffs At China’s Internet Giants An Indication Of Deeper Dilemma – Analysis

There has been the intensification of the wave of layoffs in Chinese internet companies, where JD.com is becoming the center of attention. According to a document that has been circulating online, JD.com’s layoffs cover a wide range of business lines. The e-commerce company’s subsidiaries such as Jingxi, JD Worldwide, JD …

Read More »

US–China Rivalry Intensifies In The Pacific – Analysis

US–China geostrategic competition is intensifying in the Pacific as both governments commit more resources to battle for influence. The US government released its Indo-Pacific Strategy in February 2022, which fleshes out its policy priorities in the region. This document is based on the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ concept announced by …

Read More »

Ukraine Crisis Prompts China to Swing Behind Myanmar’s Junta

Outreach to pro-democracy forces appears over as Beijing expects the war in Ukraine to curb Russian backing for the generals. After a year of tentative ties with Myanmar’s democratic opposition, China this month dropped all pretension of hedging its bets and ramped up support for the military regime. Beijing framed …

Read More »

What’s Next for Pakistan’s Politics After Ouster of Imran Khan?

The country’s political crisis may have abated, but the road ahead is littered with challenges for the next government. After a month of political crisis in Islamabad, Pakistan’s united opposition parties successfully removed Prime Minister Imran Khan in a vote of no confidence on April 10 and then on April …

Read More »

China’s Ukraine Gambit: Beijing Plays Both Sides

Its leaders clearly believe China’s contradictory stance offers it the best chance of protecting Chinese interests and finding opportunity in this crisis. Mao Zedong was fond of quoting a line from a Han Dynasty historian: “Things that oppose each other also complement each other.” Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China …

Read More »