Maldives: How Poll Reforms Can Help Muizzu Consolidate Political Power (May 1, 2025, Observer Research Foundation)
In the Maldives’ fragile democratic landscape, President Muizzu is advancing sweeping electoral reforms that could tilt the balance of power in his favour ahead of 2028.
War in Yemen: a New Vietnam, Why the Crisis in Yemen Matters to Asian, Americans (March 24, 2025, LinkedIn)
Today, two major forces continue to wage war in Yemen: the Saudi-led coalition, which backs President Hadi’s internationally recognized government and has support from the United States, and the Houthi militia, which is often associated with Iran. While this overview discusses a small fraction of the military and political conflicts in Yemen, the humanitarian devastation that has followed is enormous.
Lao Socialism with Buddhist Characteristics (April 1, 2025, Monthly Review)
Laos, the only socialist nation among the Theravāda Buddhist countries of Southeast Asia, is profoundly shaped by Buddhist traditions that permeate its history, culture, and daily life. Within this context, the spread of Marxism has inevitably intertwined with deeply rooted Buddhist values and practices. What unique religious, historical, cultural, and social conditions define the Buddhist-influenced socialist model of Laos?
Between ceasefires and catastrophe: Why South Asia needs Anwar’s diplomacy — Phar Kim Beng (May 3, 2025, Malay Mail)
In a moment when major powers appear fatigued, distracted, or indifferent, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must seize a rare opening to assert leadership beyond Asean’s borders. His statesmanship is needed now — not just to restore South-east Asian credibility, but to help steer the broader Indo-Pacific away from catastrophe.
Turkey's youth on the frontlines of protests (April 16, 2025, Global Voices)
Students from across the country continue to call for change. Their demands go beyond the arrest of the mayor and include calls for justice, rights, law and an end to decades-long rule of the only party and the only leader they have known. And as of April 14, joining them were high school students demonstrating in solidarity with teachers affected by controversial assignment policies.
Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic (April 17, 2025, The Conversation)
Despite the challenges faced by local democratic activists, Thailand has often been an oasis of relative liberalism compared with neighbouring countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. The country’s economy is extremely dependent on foreign tourism. Many Westerners also work in a variety of industries, including as academics at public and private universities. That arrangement now seems under pressure.
Most mainland Chinese citizens oppose use of force to unify with Taiwan: survey (May 1, 2025, South China Morning Post) (Subscription required)
Yet on Russia’s actions in Ukraine, India border claims and South China Sea, respondents voiced more hawkish views backing Beijing’s stance.
How China Hijacks the International Human Rights System (April 28, 2025, The Diplomat) (Subscription required)
U.N. systems have played a crucial role in highlighting Beijing’s human rights abuses. Now China’s government is stacking these very bodies with its own mouthpieces.
As Chinese drills begin, Taiwan expels mainland influencers (April 1, 2025, The Economist) (Subscription required)
In the air and seas around Taiwan, China’s armed forces launched large-scale military exercises on April 1st, warning that the “reunification” of the self-ruling island—by military means if necessary—was “an unstoppable trend”. On the same day, Taiwan’s government took action against what it regards as the growing threat from within. The government is drawing new lines around acceptable speech.
Can China’s urban giants compete as population declines accelerate? (April 12, 2025, South China Morning Post) (Subscription required)
As demographic shifts reshape the urban hierarchy, bigger cities may struggle with declining workforces, empty streets. The implications are sweeping: from abandoned buildings and a shrinking workforce and consumer market, to smaller fiscal revenues for local governments.
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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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