Headlines

Europe shouldn’t buy Myanmar junta’s Suu Kyi ploy

Myanmar’s military is trying to sell former State Councilor Aung San Suu Kyi’s transfer from prison to a “designated residence” as a gesture of mercy. But the move has raised basic questions: where is she, who has seen her and can anyone outside the junta verify her health and

Asia •

What’s really driving Europe’s pro-Russian supporters?

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sparked the most significant military conflict in Europe’s post-Second World War history. While European public opinion is overwhelmingly pro-Ukrainian, significant segments of Europe’s population hold ambivalent or even

Asia •

How low will Indonesia’s falling rupiah go?

Indonesia’s psychological and economic guardrails officially cracked in mid-May when the rupiah plunged to 17,513 against the US dollar, the weakest level in the currency’s history. The decline has become a warning signal of the country’s macroeconomic framework, which is now

Asia •

The misread storytelling behind Xi Jinping’s speeches

For many in the West, China still feels hard to fully understand. Public debate and media coverage too often focus on the “China threat.” Critics highlight the flaws of China’s political system and limits on freedom, yet China has still managed to rise as a major power that can

Asia •

Miles of smiles belie a fraught and fragile Trump-Xi summit

Diplomacy involves the art of telling lies with a straight face or even a reassuring smile. On day one of Donald Trump’s China visit, political correctness and diplomatic finesse were in ample display from the US leader, while Chinese sources reported that Xi Jinping issued a

Asia •