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Afghan drug ban may be close to unravelling

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

Local villagers were ignoring the ban on the production, use and trafficking of drugs, announced by Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada in April 2022. The Taliban…

Elections could prove awkward for Maldives president

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MALDIVES

The two parties associated with him are currently in the minority in the unicameral legislature. Muizzu came to power after winning last year’s presidential race. He was a…

Canada may need to move Arctic issues up the agenda

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CANADA

In recent decades, the focus for Ottawa has been on Russian interest in the Arctic, but Beijing has been showing increased diplomatic and military interest in the region. Canada…

Afghanistan's neighbours irritated by US rapprochement

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AFGHANISTAN

After a series of conciliatory moves, the Biden administration is trying to persuade the Taliban to make concessions in return for financial assistance. Taliban leaders are…

Outlook is mixed for Indonesian economy

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INDONESIA

A key driving factor was soaring government consumption ahead of the February general election, which included the race to succeed Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo as president, won by…

Labour shortages will dampen economic growth in Russia

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RUSSIA

Although Russia's economy continued to expand briskly in the first quarter, future growth will be at risk if current imbalances in the labour market are not addressed. Labour…

Biden will wield expert US foreign policy team

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UNITED STATES

If confirmed by the Senate, Austin will be the first African-American in that post. His selection is strongly supported by minority rights groups, partly because his military…

Vietnam's government will be more conservative

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VIETNAM

Outcomes and outlook, following Vietnam's communist party congress.

Prospects for security and defence in 2016

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PROSPECTS 2016

Prospects for security and defence in 2016.

Closer Thai-China ties will not risk US security link

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THAILAND

Both the Thai and Chinese militaries are participating. The Thai junta -- keen to bolster strategic cooperation with Beijing and to attract Chinese infrastructure investment -…