Features
Fleet-cannibalised Russian aviation can only look on as Central Asia carriers take over regional market segments
Moscow has even considered asking Kazakhstan to run some of its domestic flight connections.
ASEAN in 2025: still relevant, but only just
Founded on August 8 1967, in Bangkok, ASEAN has long prided itself on unity in diversity, guided by the principles of non-interference and consensus-based decision-making.
Japan’s Self-Defence Forces are much more capable than many think
During the past decade Japan has quietly but steadily modernised its defence apparatus. While Tokyo avoids the loud rhetoric of some of its neighbours, its actions speak volumes.
Timor-Leste’s ASEAN accession: A milestone moment despite deepening dilemmas
Timor-Leste’s road to ASEAN has been a protracted one. After over a decade of evaluations and delays, including a pandemic, ASEAN granted “in-principle” approval in 2022. The final decision was confirmed during the 46th ASEAN Summiit.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Turbulence in the crystal ball as Turkey seizes online fortune-teller Faladdin
Officials also grab retailer Hakmar for good measure.
What comes after Xi? China's future in a post-Xi era
A system built so tightly around a cult centered on one man, however powerful, invites uncertainty once that man disappears. It also invites opportunity...
Racial profiling in Japan
A 2025 survey by the plaintiffs' legal team found that over 71% of obviously foreign nationals who had lived in Japan for more than five years had been questioned by police on the street.
Erdogan rival Imamoglu handed prison term for insulting and threatening prosecutor
Critics note judges who preside over such “political” cases could risk losing their freedom should the regime fall.
IMF lauds Uzbek reform efforts
Tashkent’s biggest upcoming challenge is easing the state’s grip on the economy.
Russian inflation moving back to target – CBR
Central Bank of Russia Governor Elvia Nabiullina’s plan is working. Last year she introduced a raft of non-monetary policy methods to squash Russian growth and force inflation down by artificially cooling the economy.
EXPLAINER: Ukraine's EU accession path
The war is not an obstacle to Ukraine's membership of the EU, and most of the EU members states have thrown their support behind getting Ukraine into the club as fast as possible.
CEE healthcare remains attractive as private equity investors branch out into dental and pet care
Two decades after private equity firms first started to bet big on Central Europe’s private healthcare, the sector remains a magnet for investors, who are also eyeing deals in adjacent sectors.
UNFPA survey reveals why millions can’t have the families they dream of
A growing global crisis in reproductive agency – not overpopulation or declining birth rates – is one of the most urgent demographic challenges of our time, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said.
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Russian aid agency seeking to fill USAID gaps in former Soviet Union
Imperial attitudes undermine ambitions for expanded influence.
Saudi Arabia ranks first globally in tourism revenue growth
Saudi Arabia achieved first place globally in international tourism revenue growth during the first quarter of 2025.
Ukraine seeks infrastructure investment capital, a “once in a generation” opportunity
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, Kyiv and its partners are pithing international investors to get involved the infrastructure projects. "The time is now."
The populous, fast-growing emerging markets defying the global downturn
Analysis by Fitch Solutions’ BMI Research identifies a group of large frontier and emerging markets that are growing strongly this year, despite the expected global economic slowdown.
The decline of Persian carpet exports reflects the wider Iranian economy
Export figures reveal a catastrophic contraction from $427.4mn in 2011 to a mere $41.7mn in 2024, representing an 90% reduction in carpet sales.
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Ever in India’s shadow, Bangladesh needs to define its own energy path
As a country Bangladesh is at an energy crossroads. Following decades of natural‑gas dominance, its energy planners are charting a course towards a diversified power policy with the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant the jewel in the crown.
India unlikely to extradite former Bangladesh PM Hasina despite leaked audio
While the interim government of Bangladesh has accused Hasina of crimes against humanity, including state-sanctioned killings during the extraordinarily disruptive and violent student-led protests, India is under no legal obligation to extradite her.