Written by Kevin Williams | April 8, 2024 Sky Sword II missile On April 9 Taiwan’s military is scheduled to test their new mobile air defense system, the Sky Sword II (locally called Tien Chien II). The Sky Sword II system comprises of wheeled ground vehicles equipped with missile firing units (MFU). Taiwan’s new system,... Continue Reading →
Escalating Tensions in the South China Sea: Philippines Confronts China’s Aggression
Written by Lexi Dean | April 1, 2024 ASEAN group photo 2023 Clashes in the Indo-Pacific region over disputed territory and sovereignty rights in the South China Sea continue to attract international attention. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei, and China have overlapping claims that have led to tensions within the South China Sea, one... Continue Reading →
Farmers’ Protests Spark Concern for India’s Upcoming Elections
Written by Lexi Dean | March 14 2024 /// Indian farmers /// Around two-thirds of the Indian population depend on farming for their livelihood, making India’s agricultural workers a vital group that may influence elections and policies. The Indian government is the biggest customer for farmers due to policies in place where the government provides... Continue Reading →
Hydroelectric Power Concerns in Laos
Written by Kyle Hosey Laotian and Thai authorities and Chinese power company Sinohydro have recently finalized another hydroelectric power dam agreement along the Mekong River in Laos. The Pak Lay project is one of nine mega-dams planned by the Laotian government as part of its strategy to become the "battery of Southeast Asia," though only... Continue Reading →
A Glimpse into ASEAN, Myanmar, and Vietnam
Written by Kyle Hosey March 5, 2023 The ASEAN-Japan Relationship Turns 50 2023 marks 50 years since relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) informally opened relations with Japan. Commentators in the region predict that the relationship will continue to be one of ASEAN’s most productive, albeit not without challenges posed by COVID... Continue Reading →
Myanmar Still Absent as ASEAN Meets in Jakarta
Written by Kyle Hosey February 11, 2023 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held its first foreign ministers’ summit of 2023 last week in Jakarta, despite the continued absence of Myanmar. The nation’s relationship with ASEAN has been strained since the military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi... Continue Reading →
Solomon Islands Cancels Planned Elections
Written by Cameron Chambers - September 19, 2022 The Solomon Islands has canceled planned elections this past week. This comes as lawmakers in the Pacific Island state handed Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare a win by delaying the elections which will allow the Prime Minister Sogavare to remain in office longer. The measure received 37 votes... Continue Reading →