Article: https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/planned-chinese-dam-along-south-asian-river-triggers-concerns-india-bangladesh Analysis: China has announced plans to build a superdam on the Yarlung Zangbo River that runs through both India and Bangladesh. This had led to concerns among these countries that utilize the river. Bangladesh is reliant on the supply of freshwater to their communities. In addition, Bangladesh fears any disturbance to the flow of the river. Currently, the… Read more »
Article: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-bhutan-sign-preferential-trade-deal/2067458 Analysis: This past Sunday, Bangladesh and Bhutan signed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) as a method of improving bilateral trade. The two have a long history of positive relations. In 1971, Bhutan was the first country to publicly acknowledge the sovereignty of Bangladesh. Ceremoniously, this PTA marks the 50 year anniversary of these diplomatic ties. The importance of… Read more »
Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55540507 Iran seized a South Korean oil tanker. The Iranian government claimed that the reason for the capture was a pollution violation, but the operator denied these claims. There have been reports that speculated Iran seized the tanker to pressure South Korea into unlocking Iranian assets that resulted from US sanctions. Iran has strongly denied these allegations, and foreign… Read more »
Article: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-neutrality-25-years-no-benefits-qishloq-ovozi/30995903.html December 12, 2020 marked the 25th anniversary of the United Nations declaration of Turkmenistan as a neutral state. The first Turkmenistan president, Saparmurat Niyazov, had intended to become a neutral venue for feuding parties to reconcile their differences. Niyazov’s mission had been successful for the first five years of their neutrality. For example, Turkmenistan hosted discussions between the… Read more »
Article: https://thehimalayantimes.com/world/pakistan-accuses-india-of-funding-disinformation-campaign-in-eu/ Pakistan has accused India of funding a defamatory campaign in the European Union (EU). Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan’s foreign minister, cited a report by the EU Disinfo Lab as evidence.This report revealed a network of fake media outlets that have pushed an agenda supporting India in the EU and UN to discredit their rival, Pakistan. However, within… Read more »
Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55177688 In 2017, the Rohingya muslim group began fleeing Myanmar after a violent military crackdown. Ever since, thousands have lived within refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Recently, Bangladesh has begun relocating these refugees to the island of Bhashan Char. Officials from Bangladesh claim that all refugees gave their consent; however, earlier this year many refugees publicly stated they… Read more »
Article: https://www.afghanistannews.net/news/267043864/deadly-rocket-attack-rattles-afghan-capital Analysis Approximately two dozen rockets were launched this past Saturday against Kabul, Afghanistan. The antagonists are unknown, but there are a few attackers being considered. Currently, the Taliban insurgent group denied their involvement, leading to rising suspicions that the Islamic State may have been responsible. This attack comes at the same time that Afghan rivals have been working… Read more »
Article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45715551 Analysis Tourism in Bhutan may be gaining popularity due to the Tour of the Dragon (TOD). TOD is a cycling event known for its difficult terrain and sights of wild tigers, leopards, and boars. This new sporting event could possibly attract tourists to Bhutan. For many years, Bhutan has limited tourism to a select wealthy few. These regulations… Read more »
Article: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/sri-lanka-returns-illegal-containers-of-waste-including-body-parts-to-britain-after Analysis The Democratic Socalist Republic of Sri Lanka began shipping hazardous waste containers including human body parts back to Britain after a two year court battle. Recently, several Asian countries that receive a profit from waste have been pushing back against wealthier nations. Thus, we have seen many and have been turning back shipments of garbage. For Sri… Read more »
