• Mon-02-2025
Worsening human rights situation in North Korea calls for change in mission strategy: need to face reality (January 26, 2025, Christian Daily International)

The Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) announced the results of its 2024 White Paper on Religious Freedom in North Korea and a public awareness survey on North Korean human rights. The White Paper on Religious Freedom is based on responses and investigations of North Korean defectors who have settled in South Korea.

  • Mon-02-2025
Persecution of Christians in Tajikistan (January 22, 2025, Providence Magazine)

The Constitution of Tajikistan, under Article 26, technically guarantees freedom of religion, allowing individuals to choose and practice any faith—or none at all. However, in practice, this freedom is heavily restricted.

  • Mon-02-2025
Sharing Jesus amid Buddhism’s stronghold (October 19, 2024, The Christian Post)

Open Doors US lists Bhutan as No. 36 on the World Watch list for Christian persecution. No churches are officially recognized by the Bhutanese government and any attempt to convert people from the state religion is illegal. Furthermore, Christians in the region are at risk of surveillance and raids by authorities.

  • Mon-02-2025
Central Asia should be West’s strategic focus (January 22, 2025, Lowy Institute: The Interpreter)

Central Asia used to be on the periphery of global diplomatic relations. However, Russia’s war in Ukraine catapulted the region up the agenda for the West. This focus is expected to intensify in the coming year.

  • Mon-02-2025
The Hague Group: A New Alliance to Enforce Intl Law against Israel (February 1, 2025, The Palestine Chronicles)

Nine countries have announced the formation of The Hague Group to coordinate legal, diplomatic and economic measures against Israel’s violations of international law. The group aims to address the global supply chains enabling injustice, such as the production and shipment of advanced weaponry used against Palestinians.

  • Mon-02-2025
US watchdog's alarm over Afghanistan (February 3, 2025, The Express Tribune)

Despite billions in international aid, Afghanistan has spiralled deeper into crisis under Taliban rule, a US watchdog responsible for the assessment warned, adding that the situation remains dire and the group's grip on power has only tightened since the chaotic US withdrawal more than three years ago.

  • Mon-02-2025
The Philippines under the shadow of great powers (January 18, 2025, East Asia Forum)

Under the shadow of great power competition, 2024 saw the feud between the Marcos and Duterte camps spiral into open warfare. The UniTeam electoral alliance of the two most powerful political dynasties has collapsed, with political struggle escalating to the point where Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte threatened to hire an assassin to kill President Marcos Jr.

  • Mon-02-2025
The Changing Face of the Houthis: How the movement adapted to dominate Yemeni politics (January 27, 2025, New Lines Magazine)

Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, potent images of Yemen’s Houthis firing rockets at Israel and targeting shipping in the Gulf of Aden have catapulted the movement onto a new, global stage. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the spiritual, social and political leader of the eponymous group, has vowed to continue his attacks on ships heading toward Israel despite the ceasefire that came into effect on Jan. 19.

  • Mon-01-2025
The East Asian Miracle Remembered: Tiger Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight (January 15, 2025, Center for Global Development)

Some miracles resist forgetting. They continue to hold out hope for believers. The East Asian Miracle that apparently blessed four economies with a growth bonanza in the last quarter of the twentieth century, endures because a legion of countries believe that supernatural events can be made to recur by studying the oracle bones and conducting the policy liturgy handed down from East Asia.

  • Mon-01-2025
Armenia: Upgrade of MLT political risk classification amid lower financial risk and lower risk of conflict with Azerbaijan (January 23, 2025, Credendo)

Following years of tension and conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan are currently negotiating a peace agreement. Strong growth is expected despite ongoing economic slowdown. Moderate public debt and decreased external debt. Moderate liquidity.