Comparative Connections

09/19/2023

https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/whats-driving-hindu-nationalism-in-nepal/

Religious tensions, as opposed to ethnic or caste-based schisms, are relatively new in Nepal. What’s behind the recent upsurge?

Religious tensions, as opposed to ethnic or caste-based schisms, are relatively new in Nepal. What’s behind the recent upsurge?

09/18/2023

https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/us-at-grave-risk-of-china-tech-war-retaliation/

US dependence on Chinese components means defense industry and critical infrastructure could soon be in the line of fire.

NEW YORK – America doesn’t have the factories or skilled labor to replace Chinese imports that support defense contractors and basic infrastructure, leaving the US economy vulnerable to harm …

09/18/2023

https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/russia-china-and-the-ukraine-war-tensions-in-the-no-limits-relationship/

China’s recent diplomatic foray suggests that Chinese and Russian visions of an acceptable outcome of the war are not wholly aligned.

China’s recent diplomatic foray suggests that Chinese and Russian visions of an acceptable outcome of the war are not wholly aligned.

09/18/2023

https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/us-indonesia-security-relations-flourish-in-a-changing-indo-pacific/

Defense cooperation between Washington and Jakarta is on an upswing, but on the Indonesian side clear limits remain.

Defense cooperation between Washington and Jakarta is on an upswing, but on the Indonesian side clear limits remain.

09/18/2023

https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/the-truth-about-eurasian-rail-freight-transport/

The bulk of railway freight between Asia and Europe crosses Russian territory. Yet the route has not been the focus of Western sanctions – so far.

The bulk of railway freight between Asia and Europe crosses Russian territory. Yet the route has not been the focus of Western sanctions – so far.

09/01/2023

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230901009200320?section=k-biz/index

U.N. special rapporteur for North Korea's human rights will visit South Korea next week to meet Seoul officials as well as defectors from the reclusive regime, the foreign ministry said Friday.

SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Yonhap) -- U.N. special rapporteur for North Korea's human rights wil...

09/01/2023

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Singapore-s-Tharman-clinches-presidential-election

Singapore's former Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be the city-state's next president, after winning 70.4% of votes in Friday's election.

09/01/2023

https://asiatimes.com/2023/09/chinas-ten-dash-line-ups-ante-with-the-philippines/

Beijing’s new ‘standard map’ encompasses Philippine EEZ in South China Sea, giving Manila more motivation for even stronger US military ties.

MANILA – “Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the Philippine Navy patrols the country’s territories in the West Philippine Sea to show and enforce our claims in the a…

09/01/2023

https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/kyrgyzstan-kusturizatsia-and-corruption/

Kusturizatsia means, literally, “vomiting.” Under the practice, corrupt individuals can repay a fraction of stolen proceeds to the state and then go about their business. Who knows where the money goes?

Kusturizatsia means, literally, “vomiting.” Under the practice, corrupt individuals can repay a fraction of stolen proceeds to the state and then go about their business. Who knows where the money goes?

08/31/2023

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230831005451315?section=national/diplomacy

President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit Indonesia and India next week to attend regional summits involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Group of 20 (G20), his office said Thursday.

(ATTN: UPDATES with details; ADDS photo)By Lee Haye-ah SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Yonhap) -- Presid...

08/31/2023

https://asiatimes.com/2023/08/japan-s-korea-us-closer-but-not-close-enough/

Camp David summit moved the dial on trilateral cooperation but forming a collective security agreement still faces many high hurdles.

The August 18, 2023 summit that brought together the leaders of Japan, South Korea and the United States at Camp David was rightly hailed as a breakthrough moment in consolidating trilateral securi…

08/31/2023

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-Spotlight/Samsung-smartphone-slump-casts-shadow-over-Vietnam

Samsung Electronics' slumping smartphone business and a decline in investment by South Korean companies are casting a shadow over Vietnam, a Southeast Asian economy that relies heavily on the technology giant.

South Korean tech titan reluctant to meet Hanoi request for chip plant