Category: Asia

China deploying ‘Orwellian technologies’ in disinformation ops

     

China is employing programs of direct propaganda and disinformation, similar to Russian disinformation efforts, according to a new analysis from the RAND Corporation. Beijing’s Communist authorities are likely to “step… Read more »

Democracies in strategic competition with revisionist authoritarian powers

     

Russia isn’t the only authoritarian state to exploit new technologies for the purpose of undermining democracy and advancing illiberal values, analysts suggest. China’s planned development of a “new digital Silk… Read more »

China ‘donor bombshell’ reveals Beijing’s sharp power influence ops

     

A Chinese-Australian real estate developer “co-conspired to bribe” a senior United Nations official, according to claims made in Federal Parliament: Andrew Hastie, who chairs the powerful intelligence and security committee,… Read more »

North Korea: civil society groups confront abysmal rights climate

     

The South Korean government should press the United States to discuss the appalling human rights situation in North Korea when US President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim… Read more »

To ‘mature as a democracy’, Malaysia’s ‘sick-minded’ corruption must end

     

Malaysia’s new government on Monday established a special task force to probe possible criminal offences relating to country’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) sovereign wealth fund, the FT reports: The task… Read more »

Violent Extremism in Indonesia: Vulnerabilities and Sources of Resilience

     

The recent suicide bombings in Surabaya, Indonesia highlight the country’s continued struggle with radicalism and terrorism. Claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), these attacks typify… Read more »

Exporting Beijing’s surveillance state: sharp power in action

     

If China gains dominance over digital technology, it would be dangerous for freedom world-wide, says Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (2007-09) and head of policy planning in… Read more »