Headlines

Maritime divide: why the Philippines is failing its seas

The Philippines is a maritime nation surrounded by multiple bodies of water, yet its approach to governing them remains fragmented, reactive and increasingly strained. Public attention has understandably focused on the West Philippine Sea, where transparency efforts have helped

US-Bangladesh trade deal the lifeline Dhaka needs

The recent US-Bangladesh trade deal, finalized on February 9, 2026, represents an upper hand in economic preservation, securing Dhaka’s US$8 billion export corridor to the US amid an increasingly protectionist global landscape. While some analysts, including those at the