Features
Asian economies weigh their options amid fears of over-reliance on Chinese rare-earths
Just how control over these critical minerals plays out will be a long fought battle lasting decades, and one that will increasingly define Asia’s industrial future.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Espionage claims thrown at Imamoglu mean relief at dismissal of CHP court case is short-lived
Wife of Erdogan opponent mocks regime, saying it is also alleged that her husband “set Rome on fire”. Demands investigation.
Turkmenistan’s TAPI gas pipeline takes off
Turkmenistan's 1,800km TAPI gas pipeline breaks ground after 30 years with first 14km completed into Afghanistan, aiming to deliver 33bcm annually to Pakistan and India by 2027 despite geopolitical hurdles.
Looking back: Prabowo’s first year of populism, growth, and the pursuit of sovereignty
His administration, which began with a promise of pragmatic reform and continuity, has in recent months leaned heavily on populist and interventionist economic policies.
Emerging Europe’s growth holds up but risks loom, says wiiw
Fiscal fragility, weakening industrial demand from Germany, and the prolonged fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine threaten to undermine growth momentum in parts of the region.
The man who sank Iran's Ayandeh Bank
Ali Ansari built an empire from steel pipes to Iran's largest shopping centre before his bank collapsed with $503mn in losses, operating what regulators described as a Ponzi scheme that poisoned Iran's banking sector.
Andaman gas find signals fresh momentum in India’s deepwater exploration
India’s latest gas discovery in the under-explored Andaman-Nicobar Basin could become a turning point for the country’s domestic upstream production and energy security
The fall of Azerbaijan's Grey Cardinal
Ramiz Mehdiyev served as Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration head for 24 consecutive years, making him arguably the most powerful unelected official in post-Soviet Azerbaijan until his dramatic fall from grace.
Ambition, access and acceleration – Uzbekistan’s Startup Garage opens free academy for entrepreneurship
Aim is to train 50,000 young founders by 2030.
Ukraine’s growing energy crisis promises a cold and dark winter
Since the summer, Kyiv has changed tactics. Given the almost complete failure of Western oil sanctions to curb Russian oil exports, it has been targeting Russian oil refineries. The Kremlin has struck back, targeting Ukraine's power system.
Russia, China sign off on Northern Route shipping deal to slash global freight times
Russia and China have signed a landmark agreement to develop and commercialise the Northern Sea Route (NSR), after Beijing tested the route last month, that could slash Europe-Asia cargo transit times and challenge the primacy of the Suez Canal.
Sri Lanka’s economic escape
Sri Lanka’s recovery over the past year reads like a narrow escape rendered into a cautious, albeit unfinished success story.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Investigators feel collar of former Turkish central bank deputy governor
Regime gangs continue to hustle for gains. Some Erdoganist businessmen among the losers.
Journalist beaten to death in Istanbul as security conditions in Turkey rapidly deteriorate
Publisher, meanwhile, is shot in leg. Reporters regularly experience violence, judicial harassment and media lynching.
Agentic AI becomes South Korea’s next big tech battleground
As countries race to define their roles in the AI era, South Korea's tech giants are now embracing “agentic AI”, a next-generation form of AI that acts autonomously to complete goals, not just respond to commands.
Iran's capital Tehran showcases new "Virgin Mary" Metro station
Tehran's new Maryam metro station honours Virgin Mary with architecture blending Armenian and Iranian design elements in new push by Islamic Republic
Indonesia’s $80bn giant seawall
Indonesia’s ambition to build a colossal seawall along the northern coastline of Java has ignited both hope and heated debate. Valued at around $80bn, the project aims to safeguard the island’s coastal cities from tidal floods and erosion.
The Asian nations backing the Russian war effort – from India to Taiwan, China to Indonesia
While many Asian nations have quietly distanced themselves from Moscow in a bid to fall into line with US or European allies, several continue to engage with Russia, providing varying degrees of support that help sustain its military campaign.
The EU needs to change to stay geopolitically relevant
Leading EU figures are pushing for the unanimity rule used to make important decisions to be dropped to enable faster enlargement — one of the bloc’s main tools for geopolitical influence.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Prosecutors make move on “fictitious export schemes” of Istanbul Gold Refinery
Observers point to intra-regime gangs seizing each other’s wealth, remember Erdogan’s “Hello Fatih” phone calls and ponder whether wanted man Turgay Ciner is in London.