From China’s political and development ties with Southeast Asia to territorial disputes and agreements, the past week brought developments with implications across Asia.
Here are some of the stories we published in recent days, covering political, economic and security issues worth keeping an eye on.
‘China Retains Levers for Long-Term Territorial Ambitions’
In this interview by Majid Maqbool, former Foreign Secretary of India Vijay Gokhale discusses the strategic thinking behind China’s use of military pressure, negotiation and information tactics, as explored in his latest book "China's Wars".
School shootings in the Philippines put gun access under scrutiny
The recent school shooting incidents expose a gap between having firearms legally registered and ensuring they never reach the wrong hands. Story by Tita C. Valderama
IMDB’s China Connection
A preview of Clare Rewcastle Brown’s latest book "The China Contract" explores how the 1MDB scandal opened the door to a deeper China-Malaysia deal.
Bangladesh’s Hill Country Needs Dialogue, Not More Bureaucracy
Nearly three decades after the peace accord, the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh still face unresolved questions over land, representation and political trust. Story by Nava Thakuria
Development without Dominance
Beyond the headline figures, Southeast Asian states are using Chinese development finance while keeping their options open among multiple partners. Story by Dharendra Wardhana and Danifansen Simanjuntak
The Border India Rejects Is Becoming Harder to Undo
A border can become harder to change not through a new treaty, but through years of infrastructure, administration, and routine cooperation. Story by Salman Rafi Sheikh
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