Tag: Asia Pacific

  • Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her duties, marking a serious blow to her administration less than a year into her term. The court accepted a petition from 36 senators accusing her of dishonesty and ethical breaches, stemming from a leaked June 15 phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun…

  • Bangladesh has become the first South Asian country to accede to the UN Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention), joining 55 other nations worldwide. The move comes as Bangladesh, a deltaic nation with 57 transboundary rivers, including the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system, faces growing water challenges. Rising sea…

  • In a significant development for the long-unsolved mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the government has agreed in principle to a new search for the plane’s wreckage, marking the latest chapter in the decade-long quest for answers. The new search will be conducted by Texas-based marine robotics firm…

  • [Kavi Sampson, Shongjog columnist] In his recent research paper for the Hinrich Foundation, Stewart Paterson examines China’s strategy for securing critical minerals through domestic management and overseas investments, particularly in Southeast Asia. He highlights both the opportunities and challenges this presents for ASEAN countries as they navigate global supply chains and relationships with major powers.…

  • [Raghavendra Sharma, Shongjog columnist] The recent agreement between India and China to de-escalate their border dispute along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in October 2024 is a noteworthy development in the complex tapestry of Asian geopolitics. This cautious détente reflects both countries’ recognition of the urgent need to manage their longstanding tensions, particularly in…

  • [Vikram Rajesh, Shongjog columnist] The current state of global trade balances, marked by China’s widening trade surplus and the growing U.S. trade deficit, serves as a crucial touchstone for understanding the dynamics of post-pandemic economic recovery. The interplay between these two superpowers has reignited debates about the causes and consequences of such imbalances, particularly in…

  • Russia launched massive naval and air drills on September 10, 2024, known as “Ocean-2024,” involving over 400 naval vessels, at least 120 military aircraft, and upwards of 90,000 troops. The exercise includes forces from China and will run until September 16, with at least 15 countries invited to observe. Chinese and Russian naval fleets will…

  • The Philippines and the United States have successfully wrapped up the Tempest Wind 2024 (TW24) interagency counterterrorism exercise, held in the Philippines. Designed as a crisis action mission rehearsal, TW24 focused on contingency operations and assessed both nations’ ability to plan, coordinate, and execute counterterrorism strategies under current policies and authorities. The exercise saw the…

  • During trade discussions on September 8, 2024, senior Chinese official Wang Shouwen emphasized that China’s substantial population should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat to the United States. Wang, the vice-minister of commerce, shared this perspective with Marisa Lago, the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, in Tianjin. This meeting…

  • | Shongjog news agency | Indonesian police have detained seven people in connection with a failed plot to attack Pope Francis, who recently completed the first part of his Asia-Pacific tour. The arrests took place in Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, West Sumatra, and the Bangka Belitung Islands. The detainees, found with items such as bows, arrows,…

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