Asia Times

The US has indicted jailed Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his alleged North American associate Satinderjeet Singh for the 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, as part of the multinational Operation Hard Ball. The indictments signal a broader effort targeting organized crime.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed agreements on artificial intelligence, batteries, critical minerals, defense manufacturing, energy resilience, and financial cooperation during a meeting in New Delhi. The agreements highlight the India-Japan convergence reshaping the Indo-Pacific's power balance.

The article criticizes JD Vance's opposition to GDP as misguided, arguing that GDP remains a valid measure despite its limitations. It references a quote from Captain Picard to underscore the debate over GDP's value.

The article discusses how maritime shipping lanes, crucial for over 80% of global trade, are becoming military targets in economic warfare. It references the war in Iran, where Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, prompting a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

Drone warfare is transforming oil from a strategic asset into a liability. The article references a Soviet-era flight that refueled at Omsk's airport, highlighting the region's historical connection to oil infrastructure.

The article criticizes NATO for increasing military spending and arms production despite its members' history of using force in violation of international law in countries like Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Libya, Syria, and through the open-ended War on Terror. It questions the effectiveness of militarized security strategies.

Washington and Tehran have resumed direct military confrontation for the second time since the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed. The US struck 80 targets in Iran following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Tehran.

Australia and Fiji signed a defense treaty in 2026 to counter China's influence in the South Pacific, which has become a focal point of great-power competition. The pact marks a strategic shift in the region's geopolitical dynamics.

House Democrats had rare public discussions about Israel following a Republican amendment threatening aid, but leadership avoided resolving the debate. The discussions occurred during closed-door meetings described as intense by participants.

South Korea's market turmoil is serving as an early warning system for potential AI-driven economic risks in the region. The situation highlights concerns over over-reliance on artificial intelligence in financial and technological sectors.

The article discusses how Japan's weakening yen might lead to a US financial crisis. It highlights the long-standing financial relationship where the US borrows heavily, and Japan invests in US Treasury bonds, maintaining low interest rates for the US.

South Korea began enforcing a new law on July 7 targeting false and manipulated information. The law allows punitive damages up to five times proven losses against news organizations and online channels that knowingly distribute prohibited content for harm or profit. Repeat violations after a final determination of falsehood may result in further penalties.

On May 31 near Sadipur in Jashore’s Sharsha upazila, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) discovered a cut border fence with over a dozen people, including women and children, on the far side. These individuals were reportedly driven to the location by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman prioritized climate diplomacy in his first major international address at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian. He focused on this topic instead of traditional economic requests.

Russia experienced a surge in organized crime during the 'wild 90s' following the Soviet Union's 1991 collapse, with gangs controlling key sectors and violent crimes escalating. Current fears suggest the Ukraine war may trigger a similar resurgence in criminal activity.

A Chinese navy submarine launched a nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile into international waters in the South Pacific on July 6. The missile, carrying an inert dummy warhead, is believed to have splashed down near Tuvalu, with the Chinese government describing the test as a routine annual military activity.

Norman Solomon questions Karl Marx's view on the role of individuals in history, using Donald Trump as an example of someone who transformed power relations and the political landscape. Marx responds by emphasizing that power relations are rooted in class and that Trump did not act alone.

Japan's yen has fallen to its weakest level since 1986, 162 yen per dollar, reversing from its 1995 peak. This decline is seen as beneficial for Southeast Asia's economy.

Vietnam is excavating a graveyard to build a Trump International golf resort with residences along the Red River. A Starbucks coffeehouse opened on Vietnam's tallest mountain near Sapa, and Elon Musk received a Starlink satellite license to expand operations.

China's arms trade, despite questions about quality and reliability, is used strategically to create long-term military, economic, and political dependence in vulnerable states. A 2026 report by The Takshashila Institution highlights this as a central aspect of China's global influence strategy.