Regions

From the outside, Algeria seems relatively stable, especially in contrast to Libya and Egypt. Behind the scenes, however, a succession crisis is underway

China and Russia are trying to establish a system of their own for internet governance as an alternative to the “hegemonic” Western system they fear.

Recently, this relationship has been called into question as Puerto Rico faces a looming debt crisis that could set the island’s economy back by more than a decade.

Despite economic turmoil and challenged political credibility of Russia on the world stage, the Panama Papers revelations will not pose a significant threat to the stability of Putin’s regime but will worsen Russia-U.S. relations and the country’s image in the West.

In contrast to the more vocal governments in Manila and Hanoi, not much is heard these days concerning Brunei’s claims in the South China Sea.

On March 24, a video of an Israeli soldier shooting an incapacitated Palestinian point blank in the head was released. The incident has split the country.

Vladimir Putin, arguably, is the most pro-Israeli president that Russia, Russian Empire, or the Soviet Union have ever had: he has officially visited Israel, opened the Jewish Museum of Tolerance in Moscow, and offered Russian refuge to Jews facing anti-Semitism in Europe.

Nearly two decades later, many in Hong Kong are calling for the territory to become an independent city-state along the lines of Singapore, which is probably what should have happened in the first place.

Amorn Apithanakoon, known in Chinese as Wang Zhimin, is the CEO of one of Thailand’s biggest entertainment companies, Wang is also an officer in several Thai-Chinese “community organizations” that serve as political front groups for the Chinese government in Thailand. If Beijing succeeds in drawing Thailand into China’s authoritarian orbit, no small thanks will be due to his long years of pro-Beijing activism in the kingdom.

Since Xi Jinping the became supreme leader of the People’s Republic of China, the country’s foreign policy has shown greater proactivity and confidence, with more emphasis being placed on constructive engagement with international institutions.

On March 31, Washington hosted the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), gathering more than 50 leaders from all over the world. Despite the clear absence of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Iran, the Obama Administration’s commitment to fostering nuclear non-proliferation in the Asia-Pacific region remains on the top of Washington’s agenda.

In a potential geopolitical tit-for-tat, some analysts warn Beijing may soon declare an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea, should the U.S. go ahead with plans to conduct a freedom of navigation exercise announced for April.