JAPAN: National and local officials seek balanced response as cases rise again
The Abe administration’s point man on managing the Covid-19 pandemic, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, was forced to apologize to ruling party lawmakers on Wednesday, 1 July after he announced abruptly last week that the government would dissolve the medical advisory panel t… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username or […]
ETHIOPIA: Facing down internal and external threats
Protests have escalated rapidly in Addis Ababa and the Oromia region following the killing of a popular Oromo singer late on 29 June.The latest violence threatens Ethiopia’s fragile political transition and clouds the outlook for the national elections (now postponed until 2021)… Become a member to read the rest of this article
HONG KONG: National Security Law raises operational security risks for business
The new law formalizes a large role for mainland security organs in Hong Kong, raising corporate espionage and surveillance risks for businesses. Mainland officials will exercise direct control over national security policy and law enforcement in Hong Kong for the first time… Become a member to read the rest of this article
Risk aversion, not panic, in face of uncertainty
Major currencies, equity markets and the price of crude oil since 8th June – the cycle low in the US Dollar – have exhibited reasonably limited directionality, narrow trading ranges and very low volatility, with the notable exception of currencies in Latin America. However this is not a case of more confident financial market participants […]
THAILAND: Changes in PPRP indicate key economic portfolios at stake
Over the weekend, the People’s State Power Party (Palang Pracharath, PPRP), which leads the government coalition, selected General (ret.) Prawit Wongsuwan as party leader and Anucha Nakasai as secretary general. Prawit was the number two in the junta that ran Thailand from 2014 t… Become a member to read the rest of this article
INDIA: Seeking to score a low-cost equalizer with China
In tacit recognition that a military response to China’s aggression on an undemarcated border could be foolhardy and unpredictable, India has embarked on a twin strategy of inflicting near-term economic pain on China while planning longer-term diplomatic and security options. … Become a member to read the rest of this article