Staff reporter at Bills and Benches, covering Government & Policy.
Survivors of a 2024 massacre in Myanmar's Rakhine State have recounted the torture and execution of at least 70 men by the military. The incident occurred in the village of Byain Phyu, where soldiers surrounded the village and herded men to a location where they were tortured and killed.
A recent UN report has raised concerns about al-Qaida's efforts to establish cells in Bangladesh, sparking a media frenzy and increased police vigilance.
South Korea faces a growing nuclear threat from North Korea and a decreasing reliability of the United States as a security guarantor, leading to a debate on acquiring nuclear weapons.
Cambodia's ruling families have leveraged a crackdown on online scams to boost their military might, seize billions of dollars' worth of real estate, and consolidate authoritarian control.
The Indian Air Force's recent Exercise Rotor Clap III highlights efforts to counter drone threats, with potential implications for Pakistan. The drill, part of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, tested helicopter-based interdiction of low-flying drones, signaling a shift in India's air defense strategy. Pakistan may need to adapt its tactics in response.
Despite North Korea's strengthened position, Kim Jong Un may have strategic reasons to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump again, including nuclear recognition, security reductions, and diplomatic leverage.
A new generation of male matchmaking influencers has taken over the online matchmaking scene in China, offering a colder perspective on marriage and the marriage market.
Kyrgyzstan has ordered the liquidation of 19 additional companies as part of its efforts to address Western concerns over sanctions evasion linked to Russia. The move follows EU pressure and earlier actions, including the closure of 50 firms and banking restrictions on over 130 companies.
Tajikistan and Iran have reportedly finalized a long-term agreement for the export of Iranian oil to energy-starved Tajikistan, as the country seeks alternative suppliers and routes amid increased pressure on global energy markets.
Taiwan's urban resilience drills are becoming a core part of its deterrence strategy, focusing on preserving critical functions and institutions in the face of China's coercive efforts.
India's rapidly expanding road infrastructure has been touted as one of the great success stories of the Narendra Modi era. However, the country's newly built expressways and national highways have developed cracks, potholes, and structural failures soon after opening, raising serious questions about construction quality, supervision, and accountability.
US President Donald Trump's order to reduce the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise has raised concerns about the readiness of the South Korea-US alliance.
As militaries around the world adopt artificial intelligence (AI) systems, the question of interoperability between different AI systems has become a pressing concern. The US, Japan, and South Korea are taking different approaches to integrating AI systems, with the US focusing on strengthening AI-driven interoperability within its Indo-Pacific alliances.
Kazakhstan is set to hold its first Kurultai election on August 23, replacing its previous bicameral parliament with a unicameral body. The election is expected to be dominated by the newly formed Adilet party, but the real test lies in how the new legislature operates and whether it allows for genuine debate.
India's territorial disputes in the Himalayas go beyond the well-known Kashmir Valley, with three other contentious regions that could spark conflict.
Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has been elected as the leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) in a ranked-choice runoff, defeating outgoing party chair Jung Chung-rae.
China is normalizing its law enforcement presence in the waters east of Taiwan, following the announcement of boundary negotiations between Japan and the Philippines.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s 2025 decree labeling LGBTQ+ culture as a national security threat has coincided with a surge in violent attacks against transgender women. Activists warn of worsening conditions, citing legal discrimination, shrinking civil spaces, and state-driven moral panic. Grassroots efforts, including digital advocacy and mutual aid, are emerging as key responses amid funding cuts and growing vigilante violence.
Thailand's government has denied reports that it plans to use military and security cooperation as leverage in its ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.
The recent visit of Vietnamese President To Lam to Australia has resulted in the signing of three joint statements, marking a significant milestone in the Vietnam-Australia relationship.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye signed the Mecca Joint Deterrence Agreement to enhance collective security against aggression, raising questions about its implications for India. The pact reflects regional shifts away from U.S. reliance and strengthens existing defense ties, though its immediate impact on India remains uncertain.
The Taliban's rule has led to the erasure of Afghan women and girls from public life, with over 20 million affected by restrictive decrees and directives.
The introduction of a new amendment to India's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act has drawn criticism from opposition parties and U.S. lawmakers, raising concerns over its impact on Christian NGOs and bilateral relations.
Five years after the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, the international community is still struggling to understand the movement's nature. This article explores why international policies based on the assumption that the Taliban would change were doomed to fail, and how the international community's analytical framework was ill-suited to understanding the Taliban's ideological identity.