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.
Azerbaijan in the Abraham Accords: A new phase in Baku's alliance with Israel? (April 22, 2025, The New Arab)
Azerbaijan’s close relationship with Israel is no longer a well-kept secret. Since the 1990s, a strategic “energy-for-arms” partnership has formed the backbone of their ties. So why are there emerging efforts for Baku to join the Abraham Accords?
Sri Lanka: Former 'Tamil Tigers' struggle to reintegrate (April 4, 2025, Deutsche Welle)
Nearly 16 years after Sri Lanka's civil war, former female fighters from the country's northern provinces still have limited opportunities. “Somehow, I feel I am better prepared for death than for life…"
Iran’s “Futuristic Weapon” Rattles Pentagon! Has It Leapfrogged China, Russia & The US In Plasma Tech? (April 4, 2025, The EurAsian Times)
Amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the global defense community was rocked by a stunning claim from Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell about Iran’s dazzling progress in a dangerous weapon system, hitherto a domain of science fiction movies.
Israel tops list of countries with highest self-reported AI skills (April 15, 2025, Times of Israel)
Index of profiles by professional networking site LinkedIn also finds Israel ranks first in the metric of female concentration in AI versus a global average of 87 countries.
Islamabad's green vistas turn gray as population boom brings concrete wave (April 19, 2025, Nikkei Asia) (Subscription required)
As Earth Day approaches, pollution, heat waves are on the rise in Pakistan's capital. "What was planned to be 'a city of the future' by its architect C. A. Doxiadis, named 'Islamabad the Beautiful' by its residents, is turning into another case of urban decay…"
Japanese people are starting to quit their jobs (March 27, 2025, The Economist) (Subscription required)
In Japan the ideal worker was once employed fresh from graduation and expected to stick with one company for life—reaping the benefits of a seniority-based promotion system as he (usually not she) aged. But this rigid “salaryman” model is eroding. While job-hoppers remain less common in Japan compared with Western countries, they are on the rise.
A ‘new and just’ Kazakhstan? Tokayev’s balancing act is reshaping Central Asia’s dynamics (March 27, 2025, Euractiv)
Major initiatives have been undertaken to upscale the governance system, improve citizen welfare and develop a strong and competitive economy, efforts which have been regarded as largely successful, and which have positioned Kazakhstan as a respected leader in the Central Asian region.
Growing or Shrinking? How Indonesia’s Middle Class is Really Doing (March 27, 2025, Fulcrum)
Indonesia’s middle class is the backbone of its economy whose growth relies mostly on household consumption. They also pay a significant share of all indirect tax revenues and help create jobs as business owners. There has, however, been some debate about whether Indonesia’s middle class is shrinking or growing. It is important to get the narrative right.
Asia’s straining middle class (April 17, 2025, Financial Times) (Subscription required)
Bankers and consultants have long touted the opportunities of emerging Asia’s rapidly expanding middle classes to their clients. As incomes have risen, foreign direct investment has duly flooded in, fuelling further growth. But in recent years, the momentum behind the Asian consumer has been slowing.
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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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