Asia Times

The article discusses how the US's mishandling of the Iran conflict exacerbated the situation, with a ceasefire and framework agreement failing to resolve the crisis, turning it into a quagmire. The piece critiques the weakness of the agreement and its geopolitical consequences.

The US is developing a deterrence strategy against China, but concerns are growing about the gap between its ambitions and its industrial, logistical, and political capabilities. The head of US Indo-Pacific Command warned Congress about these challenges.

The article discusses the recurring pattern of US military actions in the Middle East, including strikes, victory claims, and temporary agreements like the US-Iran ceasefire, which fail to resolve underlying conflicts. A memorandum of understanding signed in France is cited as an example of such a short-lived agreement.

The collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire is causing significant impacts in Asia, with surging food prices and renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The region is described as being 'slammed back into the blast zone' due to the resumption of hostilities.

The US has indicted jailed Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his alleged North American associate Satinderjeet Singh for the 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, as part of the multinational Operation Hard Ball. The indictments signal a broader effort targeting organized crime.

The article criticizes JD Vance's opposition to GDP as misguided, arguing that GDP remains a valid measure despite its limitations. It references a quote from Captain Picard to underscore the debate over GDP's value.

Drone warfare is transforming oil from a strategic asset into a liability. The article references a Soviet-era flight that refueled at Omsk's airport, highlighting the region's historical connection to oil infrastructure.

Washington and Tehran have resumed direct military confrontation for the second time since the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed. The US struck 80 targets in Iran following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Tehran.

South Korea's market turmoil is serving as an early warning system for potential AI-driven economic risks in the region. The situation highlights concerns over over-reliance on artificial intelligence in financial and technological sectors.

The article discusses how Japan's weakening yen might lead to a US financial crisis. It highlights the long-standing financial relationship where the US borrows heavily, and Japan invests in US Treasury bonds, maintaining low interest rates for the US.

On May 31 near Sadipur in Jashore’s Sharsha upazila, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) discovered a cut border fence with over a dozen people, including women and children, on the far side. These individuals were reportedly driven to the location by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

Norman Solomon questions Karl Marx's view on the role of individuals in history, using Donald Trump as an example of someone who transformed power relations and the political landscape. Marx responds by emphasizing that power relations are rooted in class and that Trump did not act alone.

Japan's yen has fallen to its weakest level since 1986, 162 yen per dollar, reversing from its 1995 peak. This decline is seen as beneficial for Southeast Asia's economy.

NASA is planning a nuclear-powered mission to Mars, the Space Reactor-1 Freedom, set for launch by December 2028. The mission is described as the first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft.

The article discusses increased defense spending and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, noting that international law may seem secondary to military power. It references the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

China is making AI advancements with breakthroughs in models, benchmarks, and smart factories, cities, and supply chains, attributed to factors like more engineers, factories, and state support.

The Ukrainian strike campaign against Russian oil production is escalating, with analysis suggesting potential financial crisis for Russia's war economy if no countermeasures are implemented. The article highlights June's reported damage to Russian oil output as a critical factor.

Trump administration officials believed Israel plotted to assassinate Iran's top negotiators, including foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, to sabotage US-Iran peace talks. The New York Times reported these concerns about the targeting of Iranian officials during diplomatic efforts.

Japan's corporate sector remains resilient despite a 40-year low in the yen, rising bond yields, and geopolitical challenges. Strong business confidence and record foreign investment are highlighted as key factors supporting this resilience.

The Supreme Court reaffirmed that the 14th Amendment grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the US, including children of illegal immigrants and temporary visa holders. The Trump administration had sought to exclude these groups, but rightists criticized the ruling as part of a culture war undermining responses to demographic decline.

Indonesia, one of the world’s largest coal producers, faced rolling blackouts in mid-2026 due to insufficient fuel for its power plants. The outages affected the Java-Bali grid, including areas like South Tangerang and Depok.

Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure are causing fuel shortages and creating problems. The situation has led to an emergency in Crimea.

The article discusses the Philippines' emphasis on the West Philippine Sea for sovereignty and resource access but highlights a gap between these goals and the strategies employed. It suggests the need for more effective approaches beyond current optics.

China’s home prices and sales volumes continued to decline in the first half of 2026 as buyers delayed purchases, expecting further price drops. Analysts indicate no immediate recovery in the housing market, with data from the China Index Academy showing falling secondary-market home prices in 100 major Chinese cities.

The article argues that China's electric vehicle (EV) fleet is an underestimated asset in artificial intelligence (AI), comparing its potential impact to past innovations like the shipping container and mobile phone. It suggests that this development is quietly transformative, similar to those historical examples.

The article references Stephen Stedman's analysis on spoilers in peace processes, noting that leaders and parties may use violence to undermine negotiations if they perceive peace as a threat to their interests. The focus is on the US-Iran peace process.

President Donald Trump's Fiscal Year 2027 Budget proposes cutting the Fulbright Program by nearly 80%, a program founded by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. The cut occurs during the program's 80th anniversary.

China's currency stance and a growing trade surplus may lead to economic and political challenges, risking friction with other nations. The situation could harm China over the next few years.

Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical addresses theological and humanistic insights into artificial intelligence's impact on human dignity, advocating for global collaboration between the Catholic Church, nations, and institutions to shape a 'dream of a new modernity.' The article highlights the encyclical's focus on balancing AI's potential and risks.

The article discusses concerns about declining business dynamism in the U.S. before the pandemic, where Americans were starting fewer companies, and explores whether AI will lead to increased or decreased outsourcing.

Wall Street's assumption that China aims to become a global reserve currency with deep capital markets is flawed, according to the article. The analysis suggests Beijing's financial goals may differ significantly from Washington's, challenging long-held investor expectations.

South Asia, home to nearly a quarter of the world’s population, remains one of the least connected regions for cross-border movement despite shared history and culture. Barriers like visas, political tensions, and diplomatic uncertainty hinder regional integration.

A quantum computer named Helios, using 98 atoms suspended in a Colorado lab, achieves high accuracy in quantum information processing. The system employs electric fields and near-absolute-zero cooling to manipulate atomic states.

The article discusses the challenges of a potential US-Iran peace deal, comparing current negotiations to historical conflicts between Rome and Persia. It notes that making peace with Iran may be as difficult as winning a war, as highlighted by a CNN report, and references a scholar of ancient Persia analyzing the situation.

India's pharmaceutical industry produces 20% of the world’s generic drugs and supports global vaccine efforts, but faces vulnerabilities highlighted by a 2026 NITI Aayog report. The article questions the authenticity of 'Made in India' labels in the sector, suggesting reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

China's temporary floating platform at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea has highlighted its strategy to assert control, while Manila seeks support beyond the US amid renewed international attention.

U.S. and Chinese rivalry in quantum technology is prompting companies to reposition by building domestic manufacturing bases and creating independent units for non-Western markets. Physicists are working to achieve entanglement, a key quantum phenomenon.

The article discusses how AI can assist foreign ministries by summarizing documents, tracking political sentiment, detecting crises, analyzing sanctions, dissecting trade flows, and monitoring military movements. However, it argues that AI will never fully master diplomacy despite these capabilities.

Jeon Seung-il, a former art student, faces charges from an indictment first written in 1989 related to a political painting. The case remains ongoing 37 years later, with the charges unchanged since their initial filing.

The European Union hosted a Taliban delegation in Brussels on June 23, with officials stating the talks were technical and did not imply diplomatic recognition. This marked the first EU-hosted engagement with the Taliban representatives.