Hong Kong | June 6, 2022 The thinly populated atolls and volcanic archipelagos that make up the South Pacific’s island nations—which are recognized more for tourism than for their valuable natural resources—might not initially appear to be a significant geopolitical prize. However, Pacific Island nations have recently emerged as the scene of a tremendous power […]

May 23, 2022 After nearly a decade of conservative rule, Australian voters rejected the ruling coalition, opting instead for those who advocated for stronger climate action, gender equality, and political honesty. On Monday, Anthony Albanese, the new Labor Prime Minister, was sworn in before flying to Japan for his first meeting with allies, including US

WASHINGTON/TOKYO | March 3, 2022 According to the prime ministers of Japan and Australia, leaders of the Quad grouping of countries – the United States, India, Australia, and Japan – agreed on Thursday that what is happening in Ukraine should not be allowed to happen in the Indo-Pacific. The four-country coalition convened a virtual meeting

Moscow, Russia | Wed, February 16, 2022 A day after announcing a first troop pullout from Ukraine’s borders, Russia claimed military training in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and soldiers were returning to their garrisons. “Units of the Southern Military District are moving to their permanent deployment positions after completing tactical exercises,” Moscow’s defense ministry said

On Sunday, Iran’s hardline press hailed ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi’s presidential election victory, while the marginalized reformist party indulged in soul-searching. “The Dawn of a New Era,” read the joyous front-page headline of the conservative Resalat newspaper, hailing Raisi’s 62 percent victory in Friday’s election as the head of Iran’s judiciary. Raisi, a pious and