Chinese aggression ramps up in the South China Sea
Maritime tensions between China and the Philippines increased markedly in 2023, leading the Marcos administration to step up defence cooperation…
North Korea’s economy in retrograde
North Korea is rewinding the clock to Soviet days as heavy industries and weapons manufacturing take priority over investment in…
Mongolia’s global resurgence and Oyu Tolgoi’s promise
The commencement of underground production at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine and heightened coal exports are fuelling Mongolia's economic rebound…
India’s GDP growth masks economic challenges
India’s economy grew substantially in 2023, but the country must tackle rising inflation and declining foreign investment if it wants…
Timor-Leste hits the democratic reset button
In the latest electoral cycle, Timor-Leste’s citizens rejected former president Francisco ‘Lu-Olo’ Guterres’ approach to governance and returned candidates to…
Geopolitics and global slowdown weigh on South Korea’s economy
Weakening domestic demand and geopolitical disruptions constrained South Korea's economy in 2023, but the greater long-term challenge is the country's…
Pakistan stuck on a rollercoaster
Pakistan's turbulent 2023 sets the stage for another year of instability and uncertainty. ...
A year of surprising stability arrives in Central Asia
Despite festering geopolitical challenges, Central Asia experienced a smooth 2023, with high economic growth and deepening regional cooperation. ...
Getting Vietnam’s economic growth back on track
Vietnam risks being unable to move up the value chain in its export-oriented manufacturing industries and losing its competitive edge…
Brunei’s stagnant economy is ripe for change
Brunei needs to pivot towards economic diversification and future high-growth industries to fill the void left by traditional oil and…