Asia Times

Bangladesh Bank is easing monetary policy amid a stable taka and recovering foreign exchange reserves. However, persistent inflation and banking system strains highlight underlying economic fragility.

India will conduct its first fully digital census in 2027, collecting caste information alongside data on education, migration, fertility, and employment. The exercise raises questions about whether AI will abolish or encode the caste system.

China is pursuing unpaid taxes on offshore money from its wealthiest citizens, reaching back up to 25 years, with the state reclaiming wealth previously allowed to leave. The article criticizes this as a retroactive tax enforcement effort.

Myanmar courts in Mandalay sentenced nine peaceful protesters to up to 37 years in prison under the junta’s 'election protection' law and a counter-terrorism statute. The protesters were involved in a December 2025 flash rally urging a boycott.

Russia is introducing new technology into the Ukraine war, developed by private sector companies. Previous similar products from both Russia and Ukraine have had minimal impact in actual combat.

President Xi Jinping has called on overseas Chinese to unite and contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, a recurring initiative by the People's Republic of China to engage its 60 million diaspora.

US Undersecretary of War Elbridge Colby referred to South Korea as a 'model ally' during a visit to Seoul. The article questions the label 'model ally' and notes that South Korea and the US are bound by a mutual defense treaty from 1953, though their relationship evolves over time.

Young people in India organized mass protests against recurring entrance exam leaks for medical schools and government jobs. The protests led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in July 2026.

A 2026 Pew Research Center report reveals China is now viewed more favorably than the United States in most countries, reversing a two-decade trend. The findings are based on 42,151 interviews conducted in 36 countries between February and May 2026.

Iran is set to receive 300 to 400 Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 shoulder-fired air defense systems under a $60-$70 million deal, which could pose a significant threat to US and Israeli airpower by turning low-altitude warfare into a costly attrition battle.

The article highlights China's massive modern factories operating 24/7, millions of industrial and domestic service robots, and extensive skyscrapers in cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai. It also notes China's significant shipbuilding capacity, emphasizing the country's vast industrial scale.

The article reports that while Ukrainian attacks on Russian shipping are frequently mentioned, Russian attacks on Ukrainian shipping and ports have also occurred over the past few months. These Russian actions aim to disrupt shipping in and out of Ukrainian ports, which are critical for exporting Ukrainian food.

A senior Israeli official, likely Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, informed the Israeli press delegation during a Washington visit about plans for Israel to develop a domestic stealth fighter jet and an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). The initiative aims to ensure Israel's capabilities, as reported by Asia Times.

The article investigates Russia's indoctrination and militarization of children in Ukrainian territories occupied since 2014, comparing it to Soviet-era methods. The authors reference their experience in Soviet-occupied regions to contextualize the Kremlin's policies.

The Hormuz crisis is described as both an economic and human toll for ASEAN, with regional impacts more complex than commonly assumed. The article highlights the multifaceted consequences beyond oil shocks.

Friedrich Merz's recent personnel changes have raised concerns about his leadership effectiveness as Germany's economic challenges, including industrial weakness, impact municipal finances and property values. The situation highlights growing political and economic instability in Berlin.

South Korea's economy faces challenges from its AI boom, as past financial crises like the 1997 Asian financial crisis, 2008 Lehman shock, and 2013 taper tantrum are compared to current economic stress. Recent Kospi volatility highlights these concerns.

US President Donald Trump's Myanmar policy is criticized for gutting USAID, canceling a scholarship program, and imposing a travel ban on most Myanmar citizens, described as a dangerous mix of belligerence and incoherence.

The article discusses the recent crash of South Korean stocks, attributing market volatility to unpredictable short-term movements and long-term excess volatility not fully explained by fundamental factors.

Laos's small modular reactor plan with Russia risks contaminating the Mekong's rice-growing floodplains and the region's food security. The article highlights ecological concerns linked to the nuclear project's potential impact on downstream agriculture.

Indonesia produces over 60% of the world’s nickel supply and has implemented a 'downstreaming' strategy for a decade to increase value-added processing. In 2026, the country will sharply reduce the amount of nickel ore companies can mine annually.

The article reflects on the 2011 withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, observed by the author from Kuwait, and contrasts it with the tentative return of American military presence to the Philippines. The piece highlights shifts in U.S. military strategy and regional dynamics.

An abandoned SpaceX rocket stage is expected to crash into the Moon on August 5, 2025, traveling at 8,700 kilometers per hour. Launched in January 2025, the rocket delivered two commercial lunar landers to the Moon before expending its fuel and becoming uncontrolled.

Israel’s right-wing government is intensifying efforts to expand control over the West Bank by deploying settler militias to harass Palestinian residents, destroy homes, and restrict movement. The actions aim to eliminate conditions necessary for a viable Palestinian state, undermining the two-state solution. Trump is noted for not supporting this framework.

North Korea is resuming shipments of KN-23 and KN-24 tactical ballistic missiles and mobile launcher units to Russia, aiding its military campaign in Ukraine while advancing weapons development. This collaboration may have broader implications for Northeast Asia.

India's Gen Z protesters, part of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, demanded action over alleged exam paper issues in Delhi. The protests highlight a generation that Modi could not silence, as reported by Asia Times.

The article discusses the concept of diminishing returns in AI intelligence, referencing a literary quote about intelligence as a universal force and noting the unexpected impact of AI on mathematicians compared to truck drivers.

The article contrasts the Western focus on AI autonomy with Japan's Society 5.0 approach, which integrates AI into a larger system. Japan emphasizes embedding AI within societal structures rather than viewing it as an autonomous entity.

US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on 60 countries covering over 99% of US imports, with duties ranging from 10% to 12.5%. The tariffs could cost Americans an estimated $100 billion annually in higher costs if upheld in court.

Japanese officials are increasingly open to discussing nuclear weapons, nuclear sharing, and revising the country’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles. This shift is driven by doubts about U.S. reliability and rising concerns over China.

OpenAI resolved the 'unit distance conjecture' in May 2026 using generative AI, leading to a surge of AI-assisted mathematical breakthroughs. The development has sparked discussions about a potential new golden age in math research.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Mykhailo Fedorov, his defense minister, amid tensions over Fedorov's desire to replace a general. Fedorov, admired by Ukrainian troops and Western allies, led Ukraine's technological innovations in the war against Russia.

Indonesia is developing a battery industry and electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem to advance its nickel downstreaming strategy, aiming to move beyond smelting into components and batteries. However, the article warns against over-reliance on China's EV market for Indonesia's nickel future.

President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on imported generic drugs from India and China, effective August 1, 2026, with a zero percent tariff for two years. Patient advocates have expressed alarm over the proposal, which could block sourcing of generic medications.

Elon Musk may help moderate US-China rivalry and its impact on AI risks, despite his controversies. The article notes Musk became the first trillionaire in June following SpaceX's listing, highlighting concerns about AI's future.

South Korea's far right is gaining support with backing from MAGA and wealthy donors like Chung Yong-jin. A failed self-coup attempt by President Yoon Suk-yeol occurred two years ago, but social factors and donor support are now fueling the rise of far-right movements.

The People’s Republic of China has weaponized trade through economic measures like sanctions and tariffs against countries perceived as hostile to its interests. Australia resisted such coercion from the PRC, offering lessons for other nations on countering economic statecraft.

The article discusses Western skepticism about China's innovation capabilities, citing Harvard Business Review pieces from 2010 and 2014 that framed innovation as a product of Western cultural or institutional factors. It highlights a shift in perspective as China's innovations challenge earlier assumptions.

A federal court ruled in favor of free speech following a travel ban imposed by the U.S. State Department on five Europeans, including Clare Melford, CEO of the Global Disinformation Index. The case involved accusations from Secretary of State Marco Rubio against Melford and others.

A Pew Research Centre survey found that people in most of 36 countries view China more positively than the United States, with greater confidence in Xi Jinping over Donald Trump on world affairs. The findings indicate Beijing's improved international standing amid a decline in Washington's global image.