Staff reporter at Bills and Benches, covering Government & Policy.
China is normalizing its law enforcement presence in the waters east of Taiwan, following the announcement of boundary negotiations between Japan and the Philippines.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs says India’s current approach to the Arctic and Antarctic is insufficient and urges the creation of a dedicated polar ambassador, a Polar Affairs Desk, and a coordinated national strategy to protect climate, maritime, and economic interests.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov disclosed in an interview that he had initially intended for his former ally Kamshubek Tashiev to succeed him, but changed his mind due to Tashiev’s unpreparedness. The revelation comes amid legal appeals in the 'Letter of 75' case and Japarov’s confirmation that he will seek a second term in 2027.
The cancellation of an international conference on Tibetan studies in Nepal has highlighted China's efforts to exert control over the region's association with Tibetan Buddhism.
Five years after the Taliban’s return to power, new anti-Taliban movements are emerging across Afghanistan, challenging the group’s dominance. However, concerns persist that Pakistan may exploit these resistance groups for its own strategic interests, raising fears of a repeat of historical interference.
A joint naval exercise between China and Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan has drawn criticism from Taiwan and the U.S., with Beijing framing it as a validation of its sovereignty claims. Indonesia downplayed the exercise as routine, but the incident highlights China's growing efforts to enforce its One China principle globally.
Singapore's relationship with Israel is complex and delicate, balancing historical gratitude with a commitment to international law and a two-state solution.
Taiwan has called on Indonesia to clarify its participation in a joint naval exercise with China in waters east of Taiwan, which took place in Taiwan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The exercise involved two vessels, an Indonesian frigate and a Chinese guided-missile frigate, and has been seen as a move to challenge increased maritime cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.