Features
Turkey in undeclared state of emergency following detention of Erdogan rival Imamoglu
Lira drops 14% as markets take fright. Barring an exceptional pushback from opposition, however, on past performance, country will soon go back to “normal”.
Why India’s adversaries force it to engage with authoritarian regimes
These ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ dynamics, while fraught with challenges, offer New Delhi the opportunity to secure its regional influence, contain cross border threats, and protect its economic and strategic assets.
Singapore’s chip fraud scandal has global repercussions
Singapore has found itself at the centre of a high-profile fraud case involving the alleged illegal export of AI-capable servers, potentially containing Nvidia chips.
Mongolia goes for megaprojects to broaden economy
Ulaanbaatar has big plans to end dependence on raw mineral exports.
Southeast Europe erupts in weekend of protests
Protests in Serbia, Georgia and Hungary reflect mounting discontent over corruption and democratic backsliding, while Romanians turn out to show commitment to EU values in face of rising far right.
Tehran art museum reveals hidden Picasso masterpieces after four decades
The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art has once again thrown open its doors to art lovers, rolling out a rare selection of works by Pablo Picasso in its latest exhibition, ‘Picasso in Tehran’.
USAID ends operations in Indonesia, raising concerns over aid programmes
For 64 years, USAID has played a role in Indonesia, providing $153.5mn in aid in 2024 alone.
Global warming could affect Indian wheat crop as temperatures remain above normal
Higher than normal temperatures in India in February have led to concerns that this may impact the nationwide wheat crop.
Economic warfare and the rise of Russia's shadow finance
As the US sanctions noose tightens around Russia’s ability to make and receive payments in dollars, the major oil firms are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency to settle trade deals.
INTERVIEW: Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s fifth president
Zourabichvili lays out the complex reality of Georgia’s ongoing political crisis, and explains how the country has become a testing ground for both Russian hybrid interference and Western diplomatic intervention.
Azerbaijan and Armenia reach agreement on historic peace deal
Agreement sets the stage for the formal end of over three decades of hostilities, but structural and political obstacles remain.
Train hostage crisis questions Pakistan’s internal security
The Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, attacked and held hostage the Jaffar Express, a passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar in Pakistan between March 11 and 12.
INTERVIEW: Kazakhstan’s natural resource advantages help its startups develop exciting tech niches
Kazakhstan is well known for its abundant deposits of oil, gas and metals, but the country’s high-tech sector is also expanding, says Most Ventures CEO Alim Khamitov.
Will Donald Trump throw Taiwan under the bus?
Taiwan and its 23.5mn residents might just need to prepare for being grasped by the scruff of the neck by a man in a long red tie as the People’s Liberation Army bus rounds the corner.
Indonesia’s $12.3bn crude oil corruption case that has rocked the public’s belief in government
The case involves the mismanagement of crude oil imports and exports, alleged fuel adulteration, and collusion between Pertamina executives and private contractors.
Everywhere is temporary as frequent air raids keep Myanmar's displaced on the move
For the past four years, Ma Moe, 40, has been living a life of uncertainty. Originally from Demoso in Karenni state, Myanmar, she and her family have moved three times, fleeing relentless airstrikes and artillery attacks.
The inside story of Brazil's democratic near-miss
Brazil's democracy narrowly escaped Bolsonaro's "Green and Yellow Dagger" coup plot, which included plans to assassinate Lula after the 2022 election. The failed conspiracy exposes enduring rifts in a nation still haunted by its authoritarian past.
Kazakhstan's BNPL dilemma – Buy now, both you and your country will pay later
Even toilet paper is available via instalment plans in Central Asia’s largest economy. Red lights are now flashing over inflationary and consumer debt impacts.
Turkmenistan is trying to come out of its shell
Economic necessity is the mother of diversification.
EU countries weigh costs of planned military buildup
What we know so far about EU member states’ plans to hike defence spending in face of "existential challenge" from Russia, and how this will be financed.