FOCUS

  • What’s Behind Bangladesh’s Student Protests

    GEOFFREY MACDONALD | BANGLADESH’s streets have again erupted with political violence. In early July, a university student protest began over Bangladesh's job quota system that disproportionately benefits the descendants of Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war fighters, which many students view as unfair and outdated. Early last week, peaceful protests turned violent as police and ruling party supporters violently dispersed crowds. More than hundreds people died in early violence, including one man apparently shot by police with his hands raised, while pro and anti–government students clashed around the country. With unrest and violence spiraling out of control on July 18, the government shut down internet and mobile networks, deployed the military and imposed a curfew, which all remained in place through the weekend. As of Sunday evening, news outlets… …. 

OPINION

  • A New Myanmar Is Emerging

    ASHLEY SOUTH | ANTI-REGIME forces in Myanmar have made remarkable gains over the past six months, taking control of at least 400 army bases and 50 towns across the country through coordinated attacks. The State Administrative Council (SAC), as the military regime calls itself, is no longer able to function effectively. Chairman Min Aung Hlaing, meanwhile, is committing the cardinal sin of Asian strongmen — failing the test of performance legitimacy, with the military regime unable… …. 

Region

POLITICS

ECONOMY

Security

SOCIETY