Asia Pacific

For the first time since BRICS was established in 2009, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the annual summit. His absence from the July 2025 gathering in Rio de Janeiro—a meeting that features a dramatically expanded bloc and arrives at a moment of geopolitical flux—suggests that it …

Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh As tensions escalate across the Caspian region and the specter of nuclear confrontation looms ominously, Kazakhstan’s unwavering dedication to nonproliferation and its astute foreign policy position it as a potential arbiter in the Iranian crisis. By harnessing its diplomatic acumen and strategic location, Kazakhstan could …

Martin Banks As world leaders gather for a crunch NATO summit, new polling says that nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults see a benefit to NATO membership. The Pew Research poll comes on the eve of what many see as the most important NATO summit in many years. This will be …

Alisya Kinyara Is the digital economy truly empowering and inclusive, or is it silently reinforcing new forms of exploitation, masked behind algorithms and convenience? This question grows more urgent as millions of gig workers across Southeast Asia, particularly motorcycle taxi drivers in countries like Indonesia and Vietnam, begin …

Jenny Adams Yet another exciting session of the ‘Understanding AI Program’ presented by the Silkroad 4.0 Platform, the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) and their consortium of partners (such as Modern Diplomacy, ICCD, D-8, IAF, THC, and the like), the focus turned to how …

China is working hard to make the Renminbi (RMB) widely used worldwide and lessen the U.S. dollar’s role in global trade. These efforts are having a significant effect on the global financial landscape. China’s growth in the renminbi, primarily through bilateral agreements between Indonesia and China to use …

‘Numbers don’t lie,’ but certainly deceive in India. Behind every celebration of prosperity is a harsher reality of exclusion, injustice, and hunger. This isn’t simply economic inequality; it’s a catastrophe masquerading as progress. India’s economic narrative, which is frequently portrayed as one of “unstoppable growth” and technological dominance, begins …

Russia is redefining its strategy in Southeast Asia with renewed attention to energy cooperation, technology transfer, and multilateral cooperation. The adoption of new engagement protocols in 2025 is an expression of Russia’s desire to boost its influence in Southeast Asia through partnerships that resonate with the region’s evolving …

The recent indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Muscat, Oman, mediated by the Omani government, hold significant dimensions and importance from the perspective of international relations and strategic diplomacy theories. These discussions unfold amidst a global order marked by fundamental rifts, where multifaceted geopolitical, economic, …