Geo Politics

SWEDEN: After decades of neutrality, Sweden and Finland agreed to join NATO, the world’s most powerful military alliance, on May 18, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a turning point. The Nordic countries’ bids appeared to be on track to receive the necessary unanimous backing from all 30 NATO members. Then they are thrown a problem: Turkish opposition. President Recep …

HONG KONG: On Sunday, China presented new senior officials in Hong Kong under incoming leader John Lee, who promised to push the global financial hub to new heights while dismissing worries about US sanctions against him. Finance Secretary Paul Chan, who is not subject to US sanctions, will keep his job in the Chinese-ruled region, providing comfort to the banking …

PHILIPPINES: Sara’s inauguration was place near significant Davao City monuments, including the city hall, where she served as mayor for three times, the legislative building, and the Davao Cathedral. By Friday, June 17, preparations in the area were well underway, with most of San Pedro Street and parts of Bolton Street closed to traffic. Between talks with diplomats and supporters, …

US: Republican senators questioned TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on Friday about accusations that the social media network permitted Russian state-approved media content but blocked other videos. According to recent reports, TikTok has allowed Russian state media to saturate the platform with dangerous pro-war propaganda. The letter, sponsored by Steve Daines and signed by John Cornyn, Roger Wicker, John Barrasso, …

THAILAND: Thailand’s lawmakers passed four pieces of legislation on same-sex unions in first reading on Wednesday, June 15, putting the country one step closer to becoming Asia’s second country to legalize same-gender weddings. However, campaigners claim that Thai laws and institutions have yet to reflect shifting social attitudes and that LGBT people and same-sex couples continue to face discrimination. Each …

INDONESIA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced a cabinet overhaul on Wednesday, June 15, in response to outrage over a series of policy shifts on palm oil exports. During an official ceremony at the presidential palace, the president named Zukifli Hasan, the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and a former forestry minister, as the country’s new commerce minister. The …

CAMBODIA: In a major trial denounced by the United States and rights groups as politically motivated, a Cambodian court sentenced roughly 60 opposition activists to prison on, including famed lawyer Theary Seng, for planning to commit treason. More than 100 members of the defunct Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) were charged with treason and incitement, including Theary Seng, a Cambodian-American …

TAIWAN: The box office smash — which is by far Tom Cruise’s most successful commercial debut — now incorporates the flag on his iconic bomber jacket, including in the Taiwanese edition. The film’s teaser from 2019 initially suggested otherwise. During the preview, the patches on Cruise’s jacket looked to have been swapped out and replaced with two unclear symbols in …

PHILIPPINES: Groups campaigning for energy sector changes urged President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to pick the country’s next energy secretary with prudence. The Institute for Power Sector Economics (IPSEC), based in Mindanao, said on Thursday, June 16, that the next Secretary of Energy should be able to steer the country toward renewable energy dependency in the future years. IPSEC director Dave …

MALAYSIA: Malaysia’s government has announced that it will abolish the death penalty and put an end to all executions, in a rare gesture against capital punishment in Asia that has been praised by human rights organizations. Malaysian law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar announced in a statement that mandatory death sentences for major crimes would be replaced with “alternative punishments” …