Features
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Hungary's Orban in first interview since losing election says Fidesz needs "full renewal"
Commits to staying on to lead the revival. Political scientist says he sees the decline of the party as essentially irreversible.
Indonesia, US forge defence partnership
The MDCP is a clear signal that when it comes to regional deterrence and technological modernisation, Indonesia views the US as its primary partner, but it will continue to deal with Russia and China to ensure the lights stay on at home.
Peter Magyar calls on Hungarian president to step down, announces plans for media shake-up in fiery interview
Incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar called on the president, Tamas Sulyok, to resign after the new government is formed, saying otherwise the new majority would seek his removal.
INTERVIEW: The Steppe Challenger
Freedom Holding's founder Timur Turlov has built a financial empire across Central Asia. Now, armed with a super-app, a Nasdaq listing, and a conviction that regulators are finally ready to listen, he wants to take on the West.
Where is Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei is Iran's supreme leader in name only. Unseen since February 28, his authority issued a written statement read by a newsreader. And people inside the country and abroad are starting to question who's actually in charge.
Major fiscal challenges ahead for Hungary's incoming Tisza government
The new Hungarian government will face significant macroeconomic and public finance challenges following the election, driven by weak economic growth, a high budget deficit and a rising public debt burden.
Hungary’s energy ties to Russia set limits on post-Orbán pivot
Hungary’s incoming prime minister Peter Magyar may ease tensions with Brussels, but he says he won’t end imports of Russian oil and gas for now.
The Greater Israel theory is a complete farce
While rumours of the pursuit of a Greater Israel are simmering given the IDF's seizure of Lebanese and Syrian territory, Israel's military track record proves that this is nothing more than a conspiracy theory.
South Korean industry faces crisis over critical material shortages
South Korea’s semiconductor and pharmaceutical sectors face critical supply disruptions as uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint deepens.
Tajik government finds that being party pooper is profitable
Law regulating weddings, birthdays and funerals reaps over $1mn in fines.
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Quality matters: how the Hormuz crisis tests refinery flexibility
The disruption highlights a key reality often overlooked in the oil market: while volumes may be globally fungible, crude quality is not.
Iran war is pushing the CRINK alliance closer together, turning it into a military alliance
One of the upsets of the war in Iran has been to drive the members of the CRINK alliance (China, Russia, Iran and North Korea) into a closer military cooperation that is not in the West's interests.
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Taiwan’s lethal road culture - where red lights don’t mean stop
Taiwan likes to present itself as a modern, developed democracy, but step off the plane and onto any Taiwanese street, and a very different reality quickly emerges: one in which basic public safety is dangerously absent.
Pakistan’s Ghazab Lil-Haq operation and the prospect of regime change in Afghanistan
A Eurasianet partner post from the Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst.
Seoul’s missing $7.8bn central bank surplus
The move has raised transparency concerns as the administration appears to be shielding a multi-billion dollar windfall from legislative oversight.
PANNIER: Taliban look north for friends
Faced by a hostile Pakistan to the east and south, and a conflict-wracked Iran to the west, Afghanistan’s rulers turn to Central Asia for options.
Naphtha shortages leading to petrochemical plants force majeures and record prices
Petrochemical producers across Asia have begun shutting down operations after disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz reduced supplies of the critical naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) feedstocks.
BEIRUTER: On Lebanon’s southeastern front, they stay
During a visit to Lebanon’s southeastern Christian border villages with a humanitarian convoy led by the Maronite Patriarch, residents described why they remain despite escalating Israeli operations.
BEIRUTER: In honour of Beirut's fallen victims
Amid the aftermath of Israel’s “Operation Eternal Darkness,” testimonies, official figures, and Amnesty International’s findings were gathered to highlight Lebanon’s civilian toll, urgent humanitarian crisis, and calls for accountability.
Viktor Orban faces toughest test yet as polls show Tisza momentum in final stretch
The opposition Tisza Party appears to have the momentum in the final leg of Hungary's election campaign, putting it on track for a potential two-thirds parliamentary majority, according to the latest Median poll.