Asia Sentinel

Military protection came at a steep price as the Philippines accepted a lopsided trade deal that favors Washington’s economic agenda. Story by @VuDucKhanh6: asiasentinel.com/p/us-philippin…

Signs of fading influence and shifting power dynamics are fueling speculation that Xi Jinping’s once-unchallenged grip on China may be slipping. asiasentinel.com/p/xi-jinping-l…

A growing wave of abusive lawsuits across Southeast Asia is silencing journalists, activists, and human rights defenders under the guise of legal process. Story by Nguyễn Vũ: asiasentinel.com/p/slapp-thwart…

Once a poster child of China’s global ambitions, HNA’s spectacular downfall and its tycoon’s 12-year prison sentence signal the death knell for private Chinese firms’ foreign spending sprees. Story by @tohhanshih: asiasentinel.com/p/private-chin…

Russia's recognition of the Taliban may mark a diplomatic milestone, but for millions of Afghans, it changes nothing on the ground. Story by Salman Rafi Sheikh: asiasentinel.com/p/russia-diplo…

In case you missed them, here's a list of the subscriber-only stories we published last week. Subscribe now to get full access! asiasentinel.com/p/premium-stor…

London’s top galleries are turning to modern and traditional South Asian art—and wealthy Indian collectors—to power a cultural and commercial boom. Story by @JElliottIndia: asiasentinel.com/p/london-art-s…

Vietnam takes a bold step in striking a tariff deal with the US, aiming to protect its exports and assert its place in a shifting global trade landscape. Story by @VuDucKhanh6: asiasentinel.com/p/vietnam-stra…

Mounting criticism from within exposes the rebel NUG’s leadership gaps, stalled reforms, and growing public frustration over Myanmar’s resistance movement. Story by @DSMathiesonHRW: asiasentinel.com/p/myanmar-exil…

China’s uneven crackdown on Southeast Asian scam centers reveals how political alliances shape who gets punished—and who remains protected. Story by @tohhanshih: asiasentinel.com/p/china-select…

Entrenched inflation in Iran is less a monetary glitch than a symptom of deep institutional decay, geopolitical overreach, and decades of economic mismanagement. Story by @amiretasi: asiasentinel.com/p/iran-inflati…

Thailand’s political power play unravels as Thaksin Shinawatra's coalition crumbles and his comeback agenda collapses. Story by @jpberthelsen: asiasentinel.com/p/thailand-tha…

Struggling to deliver on bold promises, Indonesia's new president faces growing public anger, economic strain, and warnings of corruption just months into his term. asiasentinel.com/p/uphill-road-…

A thought-provoking Q&A with book author Helen Lewis unpacks how the myth of genius fuels inequality, excuses abuse, and warps our sense of success. Story by @MaqboolMajid: asiasentinel.com/p/genius-myth-…

Here are in-depth stories you might have missed last week — available exclusively to our subscribers. Support independent journalism and get full access to insights that matter. asiasentinel.com/p/premium-stor…

Militaries on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are racing to deploy swarms of drones in what could be the next frontier of asymmetrical warfare. Story by Jens Kastner: asiasentinel.com/p/drone-warfar…

Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have turned deadly again, reigniting fears over global oil flows and raising questions about whether costly naval escorts are a sustainable solution. Story by Tim Daiss: asiasentinel.com/p/renewed-red-…

Vietnam’s booming exports to Canada are raising alarms over possible Chinese transshipments and the integrity of the CPTPP trade pact. Story by @VuDucKhanh6: asiasentinel.com/p/canada-back-…

Mounting scandals, judicial controversies, and broken reform promises are fueling a wave of public anger that could bring down Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Story by @jpberthelsen: asiasentinel.com/p/anwar-summer…

India’s regional clout faces fresh challenges as China spearheads a new bloc to replace SAARC—without New Delhi at the table. Story by Salman Rafi Sheikh: asiasentinel.com/p/india-strate…