The region of Nagorno-Karabakh has remained a sensitive one for decades. The small landlocked enclave rests between Azerbaijan and Armenia, two states who lay age-old claims to the disputed territory. However, the most recent war, lasting six weeks, added a new element to the fighting: the evident involvement of regional powerhouses Russia and Turkey. … Continue readingArmenia vs Azerbaijan: A Caucasus proxy war?
Although it began first as an internet meme to combat Chinese nationalist commenters on social media, the Milk Tea Alliance has now evolved into a proper protest movement between Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, and Myanmar. Although still in its infancy, it has the potential to become a truly global movement against tyranny and authoritarianism. … Continue readingTHE MILK TEA ALLIANCE: FROM INTERNET MEME TO PAN-ASIAN MOVEMENT
India crossed the devastating milestone of 242,000 deaths on 10 May, following several consecutive days of over 400,000 COVID cases. Images of mass cremations and steep graphs have taken centre stage on news reports, amid fears that the true number could be far greater than reported – potentially 30 times higher, this equating to approximately half a billion cases nationally. Globally, there is a resounding question – how did it go so wrong for India? … Continue readingINDIA’S COVID CATASTROPHE – HOW DID IT GO SO WRONG?
BY JESSIE WEN -#StopAsianHate has become one of the trending hashtags on the internet across social media platforms, catalysed in response to the killing of 6 Asian women in a massage parlour at the hands of a 21 year old white male in Atlanta, Georgia. The incident has added lost lives to the growing list of violent Asian hate crimes seen in the United States, and globally including Australia. … Continue readingANTI-ASIAN HATE – IT’S AN AUSTRALIAN ISSUE TOO
BY GURSEWAK SINGH – Earlier this month, farmer rallies on the outskirts of New Delhi surpassed 100 continuous days of protesting. Instigated by farmers from across India, the protesters seek to repeal three pieces of legislation passed by the Indian Government which they view as encroaching on the stability and security of the more than 100 million farmers in India. The farmers’ protests provide an opportunity to not just explore the incredibly important agriculture sector in India but also the anti-democratic tendencies of the Indian Government and how the farmers protest has stuck around to become an anomaly in a series of protests against the Government.
… Continue readingTHE FARMERS ENDURE – THE PROTESTS THAT FAIL TO BE QUASHED BY INDIA
BY DEAN ANTOS – In Victoria, one political figure has stood apart from the rest due to their personal efforts to be on our TV screens each day – Premier Daniel Andrews. During his daily press conferences, Andrews has constantly stated that “staying apart keeps … Continue readingSTAYING APART HAS BROUGHT CHINA CLOSER
Japan’s 99th prime minister Yoshihide Suga was quickly hailed as Shinzo Abe’s successor in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), after the former prime minister announced his decision to step down almost two months ago on the 28th of August 2020. Many have begun to speculate … Continue readingYOSHIHIDE SUGA: A NEW ERA OR CONTINUITY OF ABE FOREIGN POLICY?
On paper, a live-action remake of “Mulan” would have made a great film and a significant insight into Chinese culture. It could have been massively popular, particularly amongst Chinese audiences, and it could have perhaps made a lot of money for Disney and Hollywood. With … Continue readingThe controversy of Disney’s Mulan
The highs are numerous and growing. Both nations are parties to a plethora of bilateral agreements including the Lombok Treaty (2006), the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2018) and the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (2019). Australia has committed significant diplomatic resources to Indonesia, with its network … Continue readingTHE AUSTRALIAN-INDONESIAN RELATIONSHIP
Although it is an uncomfortable truth to confront, COVID-19 has exposed deep-rooted inequalities within hierarchies globally, which have enabled certain classes of people to benefit from exploiting a perceived ‘lower’ class. Whilst the pandemic itself has been indiscriminate, it is clear that disadvantaged groups have … Continue readingA PASSAGE THROUGH INDIA