Holding Myanmar’s rulers accountable

As Myanmar’s military rulers attempt to consolidate their hold on the country through elections, intended to restore at least a semblance of civilian rule, an independent programme outside the country known as the Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP) is on a regional mission to hold the military authorities accountable for their brutality. Director of MAP, Chris Gunness, reports on a visit to Timor-Leste.

Japan's Iron Lady takes full control

Nepal votes in Gen Z-inspired election

The people of Nepal go to the polls this month (5 March) after last year’s violent street protests and army intervention followed by a peaceful period of interim government. Kunda Dixit reports from Kathmandu.

Bisinomics

The United States’ military operation in Venezuela, culminating in the abduction and rendition to New York of its president, Nicolas Maduro, is potentially an economic blow to China. Chinese credit to the South American country amounts to around US$10 billion. The South China Morning Post, quoting analysts, reported that Caracas could challenge the very legitimacy of the debts.

Jakarta takes over as the world’s largest city

The Indonesian capital Jakarta has overtaken previous front runners Dhaka and Tokyo to become the world’s most populous city according to a United Nations report which reveals that all but one of the world’s largest cities are in Asia. Rahul Jaywant Bhise reports.

From TI to AI: India’s semiconductor journey

This month (February) New Delhi hosts the AI Impact Summit, a flagship global conference on artificial intelligence, recognition that India is in the top league of AI. Sham Banerji tells of its journey towards this milestone.

A People’s Victory in New York City

On January 1, 2026, Zohran Kwame Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s first South Asian and Muslim mayor and the youngest in 134 years. Nilita Vachani followed his campaign.

A fragile truce: Can the Kuala Lumpur accord survive?

The peace accord signed in the Malaysian capital by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, on 26 October 2025, witnessed by US President Donald Trump, who claimed it as one of his hallmark international peace achievements, has since then come under strain.

Ayatollah in deep water with Iran on the boil

Since early January Iranians have been on the streets protesting as the value of the rial falls, creating a cost of living crisis and raising questions as to whether Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei can survive this latest rebellion against his rule. Kasra Naji reports.

Memes as the new battle flags of Gen Z revolts

The digital realm has given rise to a new lexicon of dissent where ephemeral online artefacts, based on Japanese ‘anime’ cartoon characters popular with Gen Z, mutate into symbols of political resistance. Madhavi Ravikumar compares modern modes of protest across Asian cities.

Unfolding the story of the making of post-colonial Asia

The story of the unravelling of the Raj (as Britain’s Indian Empire was known) has been told time and again: as political history, social history, personal memoir and feature film; as ‘end of Empire’ ignominy, rebirth of India, the making of a new Muslim nation or a tragic episode of communal frenzy.

What Democracy means in a country where the word is avoided

In the West we talk of democracy as if it is universally understood and incapable of more than one interpretation. As Lijia Zhang explains, it can mean something different to the people of China.