Asia Insight

A weekly politics and economy big read

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Suu Kyi opened the new Facebook account on April 1 and has posted messages about COVID-19 almost every day. (Nikkei photo illustration/Source photo by Getty Images)
Asia Insight

Suu Kyi's Facebook surge reveals fragility of Myanmar democracy

Ruling party primed for election but cannot rely on leader's charisma forever

26 May 2020
Credit rating agencies have their eyes trained on the fiscal health of economies in developing Asia.
Asia Insight

Asia faces financial health check after going big on stimulus

Countries must spend wisely or leave future generations under piles of debt

19 May 2020
Despite stellar economic growth over the past decade, many Bangladeshis have no safety nets and economic survival outweighs COVID-19 concerns. 
Asia Insight

Coronavirus risks pushing millions of Bangladeshis back into poverty

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership severely tested by food and income setbacks

12 May 2020
In recent days, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia have gambled on gingerly restarting their economies, despite the risk of a new wave of infections. (© Illustration by Michael Tsang)
Asia Insight

COVID-19 in charts: Japan and Philippines dodge explosions

Dive into data shows two countries, and India, at key junctures

5 May 2020
© Illustration by Yoko Nakamura
Asia Insight

Vietnam power struggle enters critical stretch after virus victory

Economy and China top agenda as Communists prepare to pick 'Four Pillars'

28 April 2020
© Illustration by Hiroko Oshima, Eri Sato
Asia Insight

China-Russia alliance on horizon as nuclear arms treaties crumble

US riles its rivals with missile moves and calls for Beijing to join New START

21 April 2020
India wants to challenge China as a provider of humanitarian assistance in Africa just as it fights its own battle against the coronavirus outbreak at home. (© Nikkei montage/Reuters/AFP/Jiji)
Asia Insight

Into Africa: India vies with China for post-pandemic clout

Countries compete to deliver aid to strategic continent

14 April 2020
Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations have seen a rapid rise in infections, raising concerns that the region of over 650 million people could be the next hotbed. (Nikkei montage/Getty Images/AP) 
Asia Insight

Indonesia in 'worst' position as coronavirus attacks ASEAN bloc

Raincoats and cling wrap double as defenses in weak health systems

8 April 2020
Police in protective suits spray disinfectant to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the Baiturrahman mosque in Aceh, Indonesia on March 21.
Asia Insight

Coronavirus closes mosques, churches and temples across Asia

Devout turn to livestreaming as social distancing rules tighten

31 March 2020
The Visiting Forces Agreement will officially end on Aug. 9.
Asia Insight

Will the Philippine-US military alliance survive Duterte and Trump?

South China Sea security at center of efforts to salvage Visiting Forces Agreement

24 March 2020
© Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters, Getty Images
Asia Insight

Thailand's economic 'death by a thousand cuts' sows desperation

Suicides rise as debts, drought and coronavirus hit the country hard

17 March 2020
Thailand is a leading center for medical tourism in Asia. A growing niche in this important industry is made up of people seeking HIV prevention treatments that are expensive or unavailable elsewhere.
Asia Insight

Thai medical tourism expands into new area: HIV prevention

Cost, stigma and lack of education slow PrEP pill's rollout across Asia

10 March 2020
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Asia Insight

China's Belt and Road power grids keep security critics awake

As Xi connects the region, Philippines weighs 'shutdown' risk

3 March 2020
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government hopes casino tourism can help boost a lackluster economy hamstrung by a shrinking, aging workforce. Japan aims to attract an annual 60 million visitors by 2030, up 88% from 2019.  (© Nikkei montage/Source photo by Getty Images)
Asia Insight

Japan's casino bribery scandal deals Abe a tough hand

Rising public opposition jeopardizes hopes for resorts in three cities

25 February 2020
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move to fast-track naturalization for non-Muslim refugees has sparked months of protests at a time when the economy is sputtering. 
Asia Insight

India's economic frustration and social tensions boil under Modi

Critics say ongoing citizenship law protests tarnish image of tolerance

18 February 2020
© Illustration by Michael Tsang
Asia Insight

Huawei plays star role in new China-Russia AI partnership

Distrust of US outweighs suspicion of each other -- for now

4 February 2020
Indonesia's 212 Mart convenience stores are part of a growing wave of conservative Muslim entrepreneurship. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
Asia Insight

Indonesia's wealth gap spurs Muslims to join 'economic jihad'

Devout citizens strive to take on tycoons with convenience stores

28 January 2020
Anwar Ibrahim, left, is waiting for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, to hand him the reins of government as promised. (© Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters, Getty Images)
14 January 2020
© Illustration by Ming Chuan Ong
Asia Insight

Japan's Abe faces cold reality in rush to save 'ice age' workers

Last-ditch plan seeks 300,000 jobs for middle-aged 'lost generation'

7 January 2020
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Asia Insight

Asia's flashpoints: What could go wrong in 2020

Missiles, military clashes, defaults and political crises in the cards

31 December 2019
© Illustration by Michael Tsang
Asia Insight

Manila Vice: Xi and Duterte grapple with online casino crime

China wants to kill thriving industry; the Philippines aims to tame it

24 December 2019
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has incurred the wrath of the Donald Trump administration over a proposed ban on three farm chemicals. (© Nikkei montage/Source photos by Getty Images)
Asia Insight

Trump squeezes Thailand in trade row over chemicals ban

Kingdom's reversal reveals vulnerability to 'America First' pressure

17 December 2019
© Photo illustration by Michael Tsang/Source photos by Kyodo, AP
Asia Insight

Taiwan's election: A battle over identity with ballots not bullets

Tsai defends imagined state of Taiwan, while Han says he loves Republic of China

10 December 2019
© Illustration by Hiroko Oshima/Michael Tsang
Asia Insight

Nepal's territorial flare-ups with India and China test its finesse

Public outcries imperil Himalayan nation's development strategy

3 December 2019
Illustration by Michael Tsang
Asia Insight

Pope Francis' Japan visit spotlights a safe haven for Catholics

Tour brings hope to believers facing persecution in Asia and beyond

26 November 2019