The proposed deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile defence system in South Korea in 2017 is likely to exacerbate regional tensions, particularly with China. It is also set to deepen domestic political tensions in South Korea ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, writes Rob Attwell
Asia Pacific analysts, Mandira Bagwandeen and Ashleigh Somaroo, look at the key policy issues that are likely to impact kidnapping and extortion in the region. In the Philippines, the government's crackdown on the country's illegal drug trade is being undermined by police-led extortion. In India, President Narendra Modi's administration is seeking…
Asia Pacific analysts, Mandira Bagwandeen and Ashleigh Somaroo, discuss the key risks and trends over 2017. Various threats to Chinese investment, driven by the ‘One-Belt, One Road' (OBOR) development strategy, are on the horizon while regional tensions look set to rise. Specifically, China-Taiwan, inter-Korean and India-Pakistan relations are likely…
The recent Filipino military offensive against theAbu Sayyaf Group has failed to rein in the latest spateof attacks and kidnappings in the southern Philippines,writes Mandira Bagwandeen
Since entering office on 30 June, the new Filipino President, Rodrigo Duterte, haslaunched a ruthless anti-drugs campaign that has resulted in thousands of deaths. With no end in sight in the short term, the tally of drug-related deaths by security forces and vigilante groups is likely to increase, writes Mandira Bagwandeen
Investigations into the recent bombings and arson attacks in southernThailand point to the involvement of insurgents and have authoritiesscrambling to apprehend suspects, writes Mandira Bagwandeen
The recent attack in Dhaka, claimed by Islamic State, is likely to represent a shift in the nature of terrorism in Bangladesh, writes Ashleigh Somaroo
A recent international tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines in its dispute with China over maritime entitlements in the South China Sea. Whilst a victory for the Philippines, China remains defiant and continues to assert its claims in the region. Although tensions have been heightened following the ruling, the security situation in the region…
Delaying deliberations on a law that would grant autonomy to Muslim Mindanao is likely to result in a spike in insurgent violence and an opportunity for Islamist extremism to expand in the region, writes Mandira Bagwandeen
Despite boasting an abundance of mineral wealth, several security risks andregulatory challenges have deterred large overseas mining entities fromoperating in Myanmar, writes Mandira Bagwandeen