Features
Japan becomes the pillar of security in northeast Asia
Japan's rapid technological leap in embracing stealth aircraft, maritime-launch F-35Bs, advanced missile defence, AI-enabled drones and space-based surveillance, brings a strategic balance to the region.
Russian fossil fuel revenues slip as CREA calls for tighter price cap enforcement
Russia’s fossil fuel export revenues fell 3% month-on-month in July to €585mn a day, as weaker crude oil and LNG sales offset a sharp rise in pipeline gas income, according to the July monthly update on Russia’s oil trade from CREA.
Europe overtakes US as main supplier of military aid to Ukraine
Europe, including the United Kingdom, has outstripped the United States in total military aid to Ukraine for the first time since mid-2022, with a growing share of support sourced directly from defence industry production rather stockpiles.
Iranian president faces criticism over nuclear talks remarks
Iranian President Pezeshkian faces domestic backlash over nuclear talks proposal as hardliners denounce diplomacy with Washington following attacks on atomic facilities.
INTERVIEW: Azerbaijan looks to substantial peace dividends from Armenia deal
Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the UK Elin Suleymanov outlines the benefits to Azerbaijan, Armenia and the broader region from the August 8 Washington summit.
Indonesia and Malaysia seek peaceful path in Ambalat Sea standoff
The Ambalat region, located in the Sulawesi Sea, has long been contested due to overlapping claims and its strategic importance for oil and gas exploration.
INTERVIEW: Former US official on America's lost authority as Global South acts on Gaza
As Gaza's death toll passes 61,000, nations meeting in Bogotá pledge concrete measures to halt arms flows to Israel. Ex-US official Annelle Sheline, who resigned over Washington's Gaza policy, calls it a turning point for the Global South.
South Korea’s tax reform triggers investor concerns
What was once a buoyant rally under President Lee Jae Myung’s pledge to lift the Kospi to 5,000 points is now shadowed by concerns over the economic implications of sweeping tax changes.
A year on from Sheikh Hasina’s flight into exile, Bangladesh waits for stability
A year and a day after Sheikh Hasina’s dramatic departure, Bangladesh remains – still - in the throes of a fraught transition. The interim government, though promising, is yet to deliver meaningful reform.
UN accused of enabling Hamas through Gaza aid mismanagement
There are also persistent claims that Hamas is systematically looting the aid that does make it into Gaza. Military officials estimate 80% of all assistance is intercepted either by Hamas members, its affiliates or civilians acting under its control.
The silent crisis: Abortion and reproductive rights in Turkmenistan
Turkmen women today are worse off than their grandmothers.
China wakes to the importance of moving closer to Israel
China is increasingly engaging with Israel, especially in areas such as science, high technology, and innovation. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached $16.27bn in 2024, with Israeli exports exceeding Chinese imports for the first time.
China’s military build‑up against Taiwan
Beijing’s growing arsenal of missile‑based strike systems, amphibious deployment platforms, high‑end air power and laser/cyber capabilities reflects a sustained campaign to squeeze Taiwan’s defensive window.
Russia’s Rosstat decides to hide increasing bleak income and retail figures from the public
In July Rosstat declared it will withhold data on monthly retail, wholesale trade, income, and salary data from its June release. Analysts say the reason is those numbers paint an increasingly bleak picture.
Indian opposition blames government on Trump threats
Under President Donald Trump’s second term his administration has taken a much more hawkish stance that Indian purchases enable Russia to weather sanctions and indirectly fund its war effort
Is AI making us less intelligent? The debate over declining cognitive skills in the age of ChatGPT and smartphones
Anecdotal evidence from educators paints a troubling picture. Teenagers across the world struggle to properly complete tasks in school, particularly those involving writing.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Arm of state bags itself a crypto exchange
Following claims of money laundering, Icrypex becomes the latest of hundreds of companies to be seized by Turkish regime’s TMSF.
Kazakhstan reviews its big oil contracts looking for a better deal
COMMENT: Kazakhstan is reviewing its big oil contracts Kazakhstan has begun laying the groundwork for a revision of the contracts it signed with big oil in the 1990s when the country was flat on its back.
Can India dump Russian oil imports completely if Trump’s secondary sanctions appear?
Since early 2024 India has typically bought 1.5–2.0 mbpd of Russian crude, or about 35–40% of its total imports. US President Donald Trump is threatening crushing 100% tariffs on Russia’s business partners if they continue to import crude.
Indonesia targets rice fraud in multi-agency crackdown
At the heart of the probe are allegations that hundreds of rice brands, many operated by major producers, have been repackaging low-quality or subsidised rice and marketing it as premium-grade, often at inflated prices.