- 25 Nov 2016 13:40
For fifth time in less than a decade, thousands of yellow-clad supporters of an electoral reform movement called Bersih (Malay for 'clean') jammed streets in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday in their latest demonstration seeking change. But for the last year and a half, the group, which is backed by Malaysia’s opposition parties, have been seeking change at the top – the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over lurid corruption allegations involving a state development fund called 1MDB. Najib is ac
Long reads
G20: An essential element in Australia's international economic diplomacy (Part 2)
Part 1 of this post examined the basic business case for Australia's involvement with the G20.
25 Nov 2016 8:10
Digital Asia links: Fake news galore, Facebook’s China censorship tool, android spyware and more
While countries across the world struggle with the online proliferation of fake news, it’s worth noting China had its own fake news crackdown six months ago. This is what happens when millions of people in Myanmar suddenly get the Internet (hint: more fake news & anti-Muslim...
24 Nov 2016 18:04
How US protectionism would threaten Australia
The impact of US President-elect Donald Trump's intended withdrawal from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Australia could be seen as relatively benign, if one concentrated soley on trade in goods and services.
After all, we have the Australia-United States FTA, concluded in 2004. The...
24 Nov 2016 15:55
Naypidaw: A city looking for a purpose
Ten years ago this week, construction began on Naypidaw’s Peace Pagoda, providing a spiritual heart to the sterile capital city that was unveiled a few months earlier. A decade on, what is this city for? Why does it exist at all?
When the work began, speculation was rife that the new capital,...
24 Nov 2016 14:24
Migration and Border Policy links: The impact of Mosul, social cohesion in Australia, irregular migration, and more
By Rachael Buckland, an intern with the Lowy Institute's Migration and Border Policy Project.
The NSW Government has announced job assistance training for refugees arriving to the state from Syria and Iraq. Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Miranda Devine questioned the criticism directed...
24 Nov 2016 12:35
Laos dams bad news for those downriver on the Mekong
A few days after Donald Trump's stunning election victory, a potentially bigger story broke for the millions who depend on the Mekong river for their food and livelihood: Laos informed the Mekong River Commission that it intends to proceed with a new hydro dam in the Pak Beng district, its...
24 Nov 2016 10:41
Pakistan: PM's reputation on the line in terrorist crackdown
According to local media and other reporting, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the head of the military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency to crackdown on both the activities of internationally prescribed terrorist groups based in Pakistan that operate against...