Sovereignty is sacred: in Timor-Leste’s remote Oecusse Enclave, a border dispute threatens to open old wounds (February 5, 2024, The Conversation)
For them, Naktuka is pah le’u (sacred land). However, in the wake of recent border negotiations between Indonesia and Timor-Leste, concerns have been raised over how much longer they will be free to access it.
Podcast: Erdogan’s local election defeat reshapes Turkey’s political landscape (April 9, 2024, Radio France Internationale)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's worst electoral defeat in nationwide municipal elections has changed Turkey's political landscape. However, the Opposition's victory came at an awkward time. Turkey's Western allies were looking to strengthen ties with the Turkish President.
East Asia military spending up 6.2% as China tensions mount, report shows (April 22, 2024, Nikkei Asia) (Subscription Required)
The latest data comes amid a flurry of military activity in the region this week, including U.S. naval exercises with the Philippines and air force drills with South Korea. China, meanwhile, is hosting a naval symposium in the port city of Qingdao -- including representatives from the U.S. and other rivals like India -- while it prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Navy on Tuesday.
Armenia and Azerbaijan agree on ‘historic’ return of villages (April, 19, 2024, Al Jazeera)
Armenia has agreed to return several villages to Azerbaijan in what both countries say is an important milestone as they edge towards a peace deal after fighting two wars since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
A guide to Thailand’s next Senate and ‘the most complicated election in the world’ (April 17, 2024, Thai PBS World)
After the 250 junta-appointed senators complete their five-year term on May 10, they will be replaced by a 200-member Senate elected from thousands of candidates via a complex voting system that excludes full public participation.
Week of Iran-Israel Strikes Marks a Mideast ‘Game Changer’ (April 17, 2024, Bloomberg) (Sign in required)
“It’s a new Middle East, it’s a Middle East in which Israel every day must wonder if some action might provoke an Iranian missile attack or drone attack on Israel’s territory directly...
The Road Ahead of Algeria’s Elections: A Changing Status Quo? (March 28, 2024, Arab Reform Initiative)
The 2019 protest movement left its mark on Algerian society as a new generation of Algerians emerged with unique demands and aspirations. While the 2019 elections were essentially focused on sociopolitical stability, candidates for the December 2024 presidential race are expected to provide concrete reforms on domestic affairs and foreign policy.
War in Sudan is 'a crisis of epic proportions' as atrocities abound (April 19, 2024, The Manila Times)
Over 14,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands wounded, half the country's population – 25 million people – need lifesaving assistance and more than 8.6 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including 1.8 million refugees.
Tajik Migrants Brace for Moscow’s Ire (April 3, 2024, Institute for War and Peace)
Tajik nationals in Russia are feeling the backlash following the March 22 terrorist attack in Moscow that killed nearly 150 people, with fears that Russian officials plan to instrumentalise already widespread prejudice against labour migrants.
What’s Behind Qatar’s Decision to Release 8 Indian Nationals Convicted of Espionage? (February 14, 2024, The Diplomat)
Although this saga might seem to be good fodder for a spy thriller, it has played out amid a similarly dramatic shift in India’s Middle East policy over the last few months, namely with regard to Israel.
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Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Blessing Asia
In October-2022 more than 500 Christian leaders from across Asia gathered in Thailand for the Asia 2022 Congress, sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and various partnering organizations. I had the opportunity to participate in the Congress virtually and was mightily blessed. From Bible exposition to K-pop worship, and through seminars and workshops, the participants were encouraged by the stories of what God is doing in countries all over Asia. Clearly, God is on the move.
A beautiful vision was portrayed in a video of the popular worship song The Blessing, featuring singers from all over Asia. Here it is:
Many of the sessions have already been posted on their website and to their YouTube channel.
One that I found particularly helpful considering all that is going on in China was a presentation titled Church and State Relationship in Asia Today. You can see the video here.
I encourage you to spend some time on their website; there are fantastic resources for understanding God’s work in Asia today.
Original link: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/blessing-asia/
Image credit: Andrea Brucker, via Unsplash
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