Dialogue

Japan's recent snap election has delivered a historic victory for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, the ruling bloc has secured 316 seats, more than two-thirds of the House of Representatives. This decisive result gives the government far greater leverage on security and economic policy. What drov...

A recent ruling by Panama's Supreme Court has thrown the future of two major ports at the Panama Canal into uncertainty. The court ruled that the contract operated by a Hong Kong-based firm is unconstitutional, calling into question nearly thirty years of port operations. The decision could have far-reaching implications for foreign investors, Panama's business environment, and confidence in long-...

The Jeffrey Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice have raised fresh questions when crimes involve elite networks and institutional failures. What have the files revealed? Why did it take so long for the information to come out? And what consequences may follow?

With China expanding visa-free access for travelers from dozens of countries, more foreign visitors are seeing the country not just through headlines but also through daily life. Many visitors arrive with firm impressions already formed by news coverage, social media and political narratives. What happens when those expectations meet reality? What surprises them most once they're here?

As the United States and Iran prepare for talks in Turkiye, tensions are once again rising. Tehran is issuing stark warnings about regional consequences in the event of a U.S. attack, while Washington is ramping up military pressure, signaling an increasingly imminent threat. Why is the U.S. targeting Iran again at this moment? What can we expect from the upcoming talks?

In Minneapolis, two fatal shootings by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents within weeks have sparked nationwide protests. Demonstrators are calling for accountability and questioning whether federal immigration enforcement is operating within legal bounds. These incidents raise broader questions about U.S. immigration policies and their social impact. We also explore the viral phrase "...

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is on a four-day visit to Beijing and Shanghai, marking the first trip to China by a British prime minister in eight years. The visit comes amid a string of recent trips to China by Western leaders, including those from Finland and Canada. Together, these renewed engagements raise broader questions about the state of the world today, and about China's expanding role...

After threatening tariffs over Greenland, U.S. President Donald Trump backed down after talks with NATO leaders at the Davos forum, dropping earlier hints of using force. He now claims a new framework is in the works. This comes amid a far tougher tone from the EU toward Trump's pressure tactics. What is the latest on Trump's goal for the U.S. to own Greenland? What steps is the EU prepared to tak...

A transatlantic storm is brewing over Greenland. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened steep tariffs on eight European countries, starting at 10 percent in February and rising to 25 percent in June, unless a deal is reached over U.S. control of the Danish territory. He has also declined to rule out the use of force, prompting sharp warnings from Copenhagen and a scramble in Europe over how to...

As Iran's domestic situation gradually stabilizes, pressure on the country from abroad is mounting. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly voiced support for protesters and hinted at possible action against Tehran. How likely is Washington to exploit what it sees as Iran's vulnerability? In what ways might it do so? Would such moves serve U.S. objectives—whatever those may be—and how would they...

After two weeks of unrest, Iran says the situation is now "under total control." At the same time, tens of thousands of government supporters took to the streets this week, answering official calls to show solidarity with the state. What triggered this wave of unrest in the first place? How is the Iranian government responding to mounting economic and social pressure? And amid signals from Washing...

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has wrapped up his first state visit to China, marking a renewed effort to strengthen ties between Seoul and Beijing. During talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Seoul to make the right strategic choices amid growing global uncertainty, while both sides pledged closer cooperation on trade, technology, transport, and regional stability. We spoke with Moon C...

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty to all charges in a U.S. federal court in New York, marking his first public appearance since being seized by U.S. forces over the weekend. At the same time, just miles away, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting, where dozens of countries condemned the U.S. military action against Venezuela as a violation of international...

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is in Beijing this week on his first visit to China since taking office. Beijing and Seoul have described the trip as an opportunity to reset ties and elevate their Strategic Cooperative Partnership at a time of unprecedented global transformation. With geopolitical tensions rising, trade protectionism returning, and Washington watching closely, the stakes of t...

As China moves forward with its 15th Five-Year Plan, building a strong domestic market has become a key pillar of its development journey. From expanding domestic demand and upgrading industries to advancing a high-standard opening up, China is shaping a vast and more dynamic market.

Experts share their views on how technology-driven innovation fuels China's high-quality development.

On the last day of 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year's message to the country where he touched on remarkable moments and events of the past 12 months and gave his vision of the year to come. What were the key points of his New Year speech? What were his impressions of China's progress and challenges over the past year? And what shall we look forward to in the coming years?

China's PLA Eastern Theater Command has launched a large-scale joint exercise around Taiwan, code-named "Justice Mission 2025", involving air, sea, ground and missile forces. Beijing says the operation is aimed at deterring "Taiwan independence" forces and warning against external interference as tensions rise following a reported $11.1 billion U.S. arms package for Taiwan. What exactly is being r...

Japan's cabinet has approved a record-high military budget for fiscal year 2026, topping nine trillion yen, a 9.4-percent increase from the previous year. The spending plan prioritizes enhanced strike capabilities, expanded coastal deployments with new vessels and drones, and broader military modernization. Are these measures purely defensive adjustments or do they signal the early stages of a dee...

After nearly four years of conflict, diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine appear to be intensifying. Over the weekend, parallel meetings were held in Miami, bringing together U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials, while Washington also engaged Russia separately. Can diplomacy gain traction while the war continues on the ground? Is a lasting peace still out of reach?

The United States has intensified pressure on Venezuela through a major naval buildup and interception of crude oil shipments. What is Washington's endgame in Venezuela? What lies behind this intensifying pressure?

On December 18, 1978, China set reform and opening-up in motion at the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee. Forty-seven years later, another major milestone is occurring. Hainan Province begins island-wide special customs operations, the final step in activating China's first free trade port. Experts explain why the move is important for China's opening-up drive and what new op...

This week, China pushed back against remarks by the British Foreign Secretary regarding the recent conviction of Jimmy Lai. Lai was found guilty of violating China's National Security Law over his role in the 2019 violent unrest in Hong Kong. Beijing rejected the characterization of the verdict as a "politically motivated prosecution," saying the British side is interfering in China's internal aff...

Hong Kong's High Court has found media tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty on multiple charges, including conspiring to collude with external forces and conspiracy to publish seditious materials. This marks the first case under Hong Kong's National Security Law involving the crime of collusion with foreign forces, making it a landmark verdict with legal and political implications for the city. What do we know...

The annual Central Economic Work Conference has just concluded in Beijing with Chinese leaders deciding priorities for the economic work in 2026, the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. The message is clear: China is to boost consumption and build a robust domestic market to deal with external challenges. Meanwhile, institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank have raised their growth for...