• Mon-01-2025
Persecution Continues in Saudi Arabia Despite Claims of Reform (October 1, 2024, Persecution.org - International Christian Concern)

Long an indispensable player on the international stage because of its vast oil and gas reserves, Saudi Arabia has historically felt little need to abide by international human rights norms or even to pretend that it cared. Little has changed in the Islamic theocracy since its modern founding in 1930. However, various eras have brought varying levels of focus on the enforcement of Islamic law on Christians and other non-Muslims.

  • Mon-01-2025
The publication of two new Bible editions in the local language in the Jubilee Year (January 23, 2025, Fides News Agency)

Founding faith on the Word of God: with this spirit the Christian community of Sarawak, the region on the island of Malaysian Borneo, celebrates the launch and publication of two new Bible editions in the Bahasa Malaysia language, in the Jubilee year: the "Alkitab Kudus Malaysia" and the "Alkitab Berita Baik Edisi Studi".

  • Mon-01-2025
2 House Church Pastors Shot in Vietnam’s Central Highlands (December 16, 2024, Persecution.org - International Christian Concern)

Reports have surfaced of two independent house pastors being shot in different parts of Vietnam’s Central Highlands in recent months.

  • Mon-01-2025
Iraq on Edge: The Regional Fallout from Syria’s Unraveling (January 25, 2025, Modern Diplomacy)

The abrupt collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has sent shockwaves across the region, placing Iraq on high alert. As Syria embarks on an uncertain political transition guided by newly appointed caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir and the interim ministers from the former Syrian Salvation Government, regional actors, including Iraq, are acutely aware of the potential ramifications.

  • Mon-01-2025
Kazakhstan Rapidly Moving to Become Dominant Naval Power on the Caspian (January 21, 2025, The James Foundation)

Three developments have opened the door for Kazakhstan’s growing ability to challenge the dominance of Russia’s Caspian Flotilla on the inland sea and become the dominant naval force on the body of water. These include Moscow’s transfer of many of the flotilla’s vessels to the Sea of Azov as part of its war against Ukraine; the drying up of the sea itself; and Kazakhstan's ambitious naval construction program.

  • Mon-01-2025
South Korea Doesn’t Want North Korea Labeled as a Nuclear Power. It’s Causing Friction With the United States. (January 23, 2025, Carnegie Endowment)

Seoul’s opposition to legitimating Pyongyang’s nuclear status is understandable: North Korea remains the only non-nuclear weapon state that ever signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), cheated on it, built nuclear weapons, and got away with it. But it also has a hamstrung policy.

  • Mon-01-2025
What Does the Western Sahara Conflict Mean for Africa? (December 18, 2025, Council on Foreign Relations)

After a decades-long cease-fire crumbled in 2020, Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front resumed fighting over the disputed Western Sahara.

  • Mon-01-2025
'Additional risks may arise': Armenian foreign intelligence report (January 23, 2025, JAMnews)

Azerbaijan is unlikely to launch large-scale military actions, but escalations along Armenia’s borders remain a distinct possibility. This is highlighted in the first public report from Armenia‘s Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS).

  • Mon-01-2025
Top Expat Nationalities in Bahrain: Who’s Calling It Home? (January 15, 2025, Bahrain Moments)

Bahrain may be small in size, but it boasts a rich cultural landscape that rivals its Gulf neighbors. In 2024, Bahrain’s population reflects a fascinating split between native Bahrainis and a vast community of expatriates who make up more than half of the total residents. With an expat population of 52.6%, the nation is a dynamic blend of cultures, languages, and experiences.

  • Mon-01-2025
Thailand eases visa rules for professionals, wealthy foreigners (January 15, 2025, Bangkok Post)

The changes include the scrapping of a minimum annual income requirement for those seeking visas in the wealthy global citizens category and a reduction in the minimum revenue requirement of companies allowing employees to work from Thailand.