9DASHLINE — Articles

Posts in Editor's Picks

Women in West Papua: Broken promises and survivance sovereignty

Women in West Papua: Broken promises and survivance sovereignty

Written by Camellia Webb-Gannon and Elvira Rumkabu

It is imperative that women’s survivance work and decolonisation goals in West Papua be acknowledged in any future liberation-oriented promises made to West Papuans, and that West Papuan women are recognised as central actors in determining their own futures.

Struggling brand “Bhutan”

Written by Dr Lhawang Ugyel

Perhaps it is time for the world to step up and convince Bhutan that its values are worth standing up for by investing in a sustainable economy premised around the well-being of its individuals.

While the world softens on the Taliban, Afghans continue to suffer

While the world softens on the Taliban, Afghans continue to suffer

Written by Chris Fitzgerald

The international community should leverage the Taliban’s desire for recognition and the need to solve Afghanistan’s problems with improving human rights in the country.

Editor's Picks9DLAugust 16, 20239dashline, While the world softens on the Taliban, Afghans continue to suffer, Chris Fitzgerald, Afghanistan, US, United States, Taliban, Taliban regime, Doha, US department of state, Thomas West, Special Representative of Afghanistan, Qatar, humanitarian crisis, human rights situation, terrorism, authoritarian, terror groups, womens rights, minority rights, Kabul, Hamid Karzai International Airport, Washington, sanctions, Islamic extremist groups, Islamic extremism, Amina Mohammed, António Guterres, embassies, China, Uzbekistan, trans-Afghan railway, economic crises, humanitarian crises, starvation, humanitarian assistance, Al Qaeda, Islamic State in Khorasan, ISIS-K, human rights record, LGBTQIA+ rights, gender rights, enforced veiling, restricting freedom of movement, international aid organisations, domestic aid organisations, UN, United Nations, international law, Central Asia, While the world softens on the Taliban Afghans continue to suffer

Taiwan needs to establish its own World Bank — today

Taiwan needs to establish its own World Bank — today

Written by Dr Oliver Scanlan

Taiwan has always sought ways to expand its geopolitical influence; expanding its ‘international space’ is a way of mitigating the risks of Chinese coercion. If establishing an SWF would serve this end, then a much larger development bank would be even more effective.

Editor's Picks9DLAugust 2, 20239DashLine, Oliver Scanlan, Taiwan needs to establish its own World Bank — today, Taiwan, Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), geopolitics, Development Finance Institution, development bank, foreign exchange reserves, “Taiwan Development Bank” (TDB), government debt, concessionary finance, loans, interest rates, investment, decarbonisation, economic leverage, International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, Santiago Principles, Yang Chin-Long, Taiwan’s Central Bank, Germany, KfW, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, Ethical, profitable, strategic sectors, Taiwania national investment fund, green energy, startups, joint ventures, circular economy, Taiwan’s “5+2” industrial strategy, resilience, adaptation, mitigation, official development assistance (ODA), “Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement” (IPETCA), New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Indigenous Nations, World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), export-led economy, whose sovereign debt is an attractive, international credit ratings agencies, Fitch, Public Debt Act, Net International Investment Position, Philippines, debt-to-GDP ratio, Austria, Netherlands, G20, OECD, South Korea, E3G, Nick Mabey, risk, US Inflation Reduction Act, supply chain, climate change, Chinese coercion, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Taiwan’s ruling party: Reprioritising livelihood concerns?

Taiwan’s ruling party: Reprioritising livelihood concerns?

Written by Roy Ngerng

Any party which is serious about protecting Taiwan’s democracy and sovereignty would need to prioritise workers’ rights.

Editor's Picks9DLJuly 19, 20239DashLine, Roy Ngerng, Taiwan’s ruling party: reprioritising livelihood concerns?, Taiwan, elections, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), President Tsai Ing-wen, voters, presidential election, Livelihood, United Daily News, survey, housing prices, wages, minimum wage, housing price-to-income ratio, Hong Kong, Taipei, Luxembourg, Sydney, vacation days, youth, affordability, US-China trade war, Taiwanese businesses, food prices, New Power Party (NPP), Vice Premier Shih Jun-ji, wage share, relative poverty, China’s threats, Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), moderates, left-wing, right-wing, wealth inequality, centrist-right, Taiwan’s imbalanced economy, reform, social welfare, ‘progressive’ party, recession, strategic voting, local election, ruling party, Youth Employment Investment Program, Taiwan’s democracy, Basic Wage Deliberation Committee

In Dialogue: Are current debates over the China threat to Taiwan too one-sided?

In Dialogue: Are current debates over the China threat to Taiwan too one-sided?

With Blake Herzinger and Justyna Szczudlik

Raising awareness of any potential war through a debate about what such a crisis may look like must be accompanied by appropriate preparation for what exactly to do if something happens.

$Prabowo’s Ukraine proposal underscores Indonesia’s fractured foreign policy$

Prabowo’s Ukraine proposal underscores Indonesia’s fractured foreign policy

Written by Andreyka Natalegawa

Prabowo’s controversial proposal, borne out of his efforts to refashion himself as a statesman even while contradicting his own government, underscores the fact that Indonesia will face serious growing pains in its pursuit of a more active regional and global role.

China’s real estate crisis is still a political danger

China’s real estate crisis is still a political danger

Written by Dr Aravind Yelery

To prevent growing unrest and panic among young Chinese and instil faith in Beijing’s rule of law, the government must show that it is willing and able to deal with real estate problems and deliver more than sprawling cities and glossy development.

US-Australia green deal shows friends need benefits

Written by James Bowen

Australia’s enthusiastic embrace of its new US partnership should inform Washington’s green industrial outreach elsewhere in the world.

Editor's Picks9DLJune 22, 20239dashline, US-Australia green deal shows friends need benefits, James Bowen, G7 Summit, G7 summit in Hiroshima, United States, US, Australia, Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation Compact, green industrial policy, bilateral alliance, clean energy supply chains, China, energy transition goods, processed minerals, lithium, Cobalt, rare earths, nickel, solar panels, renewable hydrogen, ammonia, fossil fuels, partnership-building, Washington, Inflation Reduction Act, IRA, climate-conscious economic renaissance, climate action, supply chain, green industrial ambitions, US-Australian compact, Biden, Anthony Albanese, Defense Production Act, AUKUS, supply chain security, Pacific Island nations, decarbonisation, National Reconstruction Fund, Canberra, Minerals Security Partnership, bilateral relationship, green hydrogen production costs, tax credits, free trade agreement

Gendered insecurities and gender-responsive security sector reform in the Indo-Pacific

Gendered insecurities and gender-responsive security sector reform in the Indo-Pacific

Written by Dr Phyu Phyu Oo

Gender-responsive security sector reform shows promise in recognising the security threats to women and marginalised individuals, and working towards ending such violence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Editor's Picks9DLJune 20, 20239dashline, Gendered insecurities and gender-responsive security sector reform in the Indo-Pacific, PHYU PHYU OO, gender-based violence, sexual and gender-based violence, SGBV, human rights violations, gender-based vulnerabilities, man-made conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics, Indo-Pacific, COVID-19, COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 lockdowns, myanmar, Myanmar military coup, women peacebuilders, human rights defenders, gender-based harm, Pacific Islands, gender-based discrimination, structural issue, gender inequalities, LGBTQI+, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, minority ethnic populations, The Philippines, Myanmar, China, sexual humiliation, Sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, social protection support systems, gendered threats, harmful societal gender norms, societal gender norms, Indo-Pacific countries, structural state failures, state-based solutions, national security actors, gender-responsive security sector reform, security sector reform, SSR, gender-sensitive training, political instability, thailand, post-conflict state building, Solomon Islands, Australian Defence Force, gender-responsive practices, gender-sensitive practices, marginalised individuals, security needs, domestic security sector reform

Forum: The G7 Hiroshima Summit

Forum: The G7 Hiroshima Summit

9DASHLINE asks a select group of experts to assess the outcomes from the recent G7 Summit held in Japan.

Editor's Picks9DLMay 25, 20239dashline, Forum: The G7 Summit, G7, DR SEBASTIAN MASLOW, ELISABETH WINTER, DR ZSUZSA ANNA FERENCZY, Hiroshima Summit, India, Japan, south korea, Russia, Ukraine, China, diplomatic leadership, Hiroshima, Fumio Kishida, nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelenskyy, Russia-Ukraine war, Tokyo, Global South, Indonesia, Brazil, Indo-Pacific, regional security concerns, rules-based liberal international order, de-risking, de-coupling, geostrategic rebalancing, economic security, economic resilience, decoupling, national security, global supply chains, weaponised interdependence, coordination platform on economic coercion, free international order, Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission, EU, beijing, Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, People’s Republic of China, international community, G7 Leaders’ Statement on Ukraine, 12-point Ukraine peace plan, international sanctions, Leader’s Statement on Economic Resilience and Economic Security, defensive trade countermeasures

’We’re going through changes’ – What Xi meant when he spoke to Putin

’We’re going through changes’ – What Xi meant when he spoke to Putin

Written by Dr Kerry Brown

In this context, the one positive Russia offers to China is that it does not belong to the Western bloc. Xi’s seemingly warm words to Putin are an acknowledgement that his enemy’s enemy is his friend.

Editor's Picks9DLMay 11, 20239DashLine, ’We’re going through changes’ – What Xi meant when he spoke to Putin, Kerry Brown, President Xi Jinping, China, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Moscow, geopolitics, Chinese elite, America, Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sino-Russian, China-Russia alignment, Beijing, autocratic norm, democracy, common destiny, Community of Common Destiny, community of common destiny for mankind, win-win, Belt and Road Initiative, Qing, Republican, People’s Republic, Winston Churchill, Second World War, Great Powers, UK, middle-income, sense of destiny, Western hegemony, multipolarity, Western bloc, NATO, Soviet, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, peace plan, nuclear weapons, ‘WE’RE GOING THROUGH CHANGES’ – WHAT XI MEANT WHEN HE SPOKE TO PUTIN, Xi Jinping, Putin, Ukraine, Nuclear, United Kingdom, US, WW2, WWII, Lau China Institute, Kings College London, Centro Studi Sulla Cina Contemporanea Summer School

Quiet for a change: the Marcos approach so far

Quiet for a change: the Marcos approach so far

Written by Angelica Mangahas

When it comes to China, Marcos has been more provocative than Duterte but also more discreet than Aquino.

COP27 has reopened the Pandora’s Box on ‘fairness in climate finance’

COP27 has reopened the Pandora’s Box on ‘fairness in climate finance’

Written by Dr Dhanasree Jayaram and Megna Suresh

Pre-2020 commitments made under the Kyoto Protocol cannot be wished away. Industrialised countries must be made accountable for their obligations to reduce emissions and provide climate finance, which remain unfulfilled.

2023: Addressing climate change

2023: Addressing climate change

Given the poor performance of industrialised countries in delivering promised climate finance, what are the prospects for the loss and damage fund, details of which are to be negotiated at COP28 this year?

2023: Myanmar’s prospects for peace

2023: Myanmar’s prospects for peace

With state of emergency set to end at the end of January and the military junta pledging to hold general elections by August 2023, 9DASHLINE asks experts what we should expect from the upcoming elections in Myanmar and whether there is any prospect for peace in the country.

Editor's Picks, South Asia9DLJanuary 9, 20239dashline, 2023: Myanmar’s prospects for peace, Nicola Williams, Ian Chong, Hunter Marston, Abigail Chen, Sreeradha Datta, Myanmar Coup, Myanmar's junta, Myanmar coup, military coup, state of emergency, National Unity Government, NUG, track-one negotiation process, ethnic resistance organisations, political strategies, military strategies, legitimacy, armed groups, general election, free and fair elections, National League for Democracy, NLD, opposition politicians, political prisoners, violence, reconciliation, peace, peace process, Union Solidarity and Development Party, USDP, Shan National League for Democracy, SNLD, People’s Defence Forces, State Administration Council, SAC, party boycotts, domestic resistance, diplomatic repercussions, ASEAN, five-point consensus, ASEAN envoy, malaysia, geopolitical interests, military leaders

Best of 2022: In Conversation

Best of 2022: In Conversation

In 2022, 9DASHLINE had the pleasure of speaking with the authors of several insightful books, with topics ranging from the current US-China strategic competition to the history of mountain communities in Nepal. Here we present some of our most thought-provoking In Conversation interviews of the past year.

Editor's Picks9DLJanuary 6, 2023In conversation: Nicola Nymalm on From Japan Problem to China Threat, Nicola Nymalm, US, China, United States, Japan, In conversation: Julia Gurol on 'The EU-China Security Paradox', Julia Gurol, European Union, In Conversation: James Borton on 'Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground', James Borton, SCS, South China Sea, Mekong River, Antarctica Treaty, In Conversation: Amish Mulmi on 'All Roads Lead North', Amish Mulmi, Nepal, Beijing, Tibet, In conversation: Ramon Pacheco Pardo on 'Shrimp to Whale: South Korea From The Forgotten War to K-Pop', Korea, Ramon Pacheco Pardo, In Conversation: Katie Stallard on ‘Dancing on Bones’, Wilson Center, Russia, North Korea, Putin, In conversation: Ali Wyne, Eurasia Group, America’s Great Power Opportunity, Cold War, In Conversation: Salvador Santino Fulo Regilme Jr., Southeast Asia, Global South, Philippines, Marcos Jr.

BTS, military enlistment controversy, and lessons for Korea’s public diplomacy

BTS, military enlistment controversy, and lessons for Korea’s public diplomacy

Written by Nguyen Le

Miscalculated interventions from the government as in the case of BTS weaken South Korean soft power, social cohesion, and — even worse — personal rights (by instrumentalising humans as public diplomacy tools).