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In focus

Correct the Map

What is the true size of Africa? The ‘Correct The Map’ campaign revives the debate about the distorted Mercator projection and calls the world to adopt the Equal Earth projection, which reflects countries’ sizes more accurately.

25 Aug 2025

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Pacific
  • Maps

Analysis Spratly Islands

Why the Philippines made a dramatic turnaround on the question of archipelagos in the law of the sea

And strangely enough, it means China and the Philippines have traded positions.

The Lowy Institute | 19 Nov 2024

  • Asia
  • South China Sea
  • Maps

News Taiwan

As Beijing Threatens, Taiwan Looks Nervously at Trump

Taipei sets aside fears of Chinese invasion and trade-war crossfire to focus on potential cooperation with the new administration

The Wall Street Journal | 18 Nov 2024

  • Asia
  • South China Sea
  • Politics

News Chagos Archipelago

UK will give sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The UK has announced it is giving up sovereignty of a remote but strategically important cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean after more than half a century.

BBC | 4 Oct 2024

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Politics

Feature Chagos Archipelago

What I Found on this Secretive Tropical Island

The BBC gained unprecedented access to Diego Garcia, the largest island of the Chagos Archipelago. It is strictly out of bounds to most civilians - the site of a highly secretive UK-US military base shrouded for decades in rumour and mystery.

BBC | 29 Sep 2024

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Politics

De Facto recommends Taiwan

This is not an embassy (Made in Taiwan)

400 years after The Netherlands colonized parts of Taiwan, the International Performance Festival Feeling Curious? invites Stefan Kaegi to turn the theatre into an embassy. September 28 & 29 in Rotterdam, NL.

Theater Rotterdam | 27 Sep 2024

  • South China Sea
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Theatre

News Spratly Islands

Philippines says sailor lost finger in sea clash, accuses China of ‘piracy’

Chinese personnel used knives and machetes to puncture Philippine dinghies attempting to resupply an outpost in the South China Sea, Philippine officials say.

The Washington Post | 19 Jun 2024

  • South China Sea
  • Asia

Review Taiwan

This Is What Would Happen if China Invaded Taiwan

The new book World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the 21st Century lays out what might actually happen if China were to invade Taiwan in 2028.

Wired | 19 Jun 2024

  • Asia
  • Books

News Taiwan

‘Elimination’ of Taiwan is China’s great national cause, Lai says

Taiwan’s president tells military academy cadets that the main challenge they face is the strong rise of Beijing.

Al Jazeera | 16 Jun 2024

  • Asia
  • South China Sea

Analysis

De Facto States’ Quest for Survival and Viability

In 2023, the world around de facto states and secessionist entities became more and more unstable. As the power structures that have sustained many of these entities “unfreeze,” windows of opportunity opened for changing the status quo on the ground - changes mostly pursued through force.

De Facto States Research Unit | 26 Feb 2024

  • Europe
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Politics

Analysis Taiwan

Understanding the Deterrence Gap In the Taiwan Strait

What is stopping China from invading Taiwan? In the past, it was overdetermined that Beijing would not use force to compel reunification. Today, however, the military balance of power has shifted decisively. It is now something of a conventional wisdom that a Chinese invasion has become more likely than not.

War on the Rocks | 12 Feb 2024

  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Tech

News Taiwan

China Bombards Taiwan With Fake News Ahead of Election

China uses fabricated polls and outlandish claims on social media to bolster its camp in Taiwan’s election.

Politico | 10 Jan 2024

  • Asia
  • Politics

Feature Chagos Archipelago

The Chagossians Want Their Home Back

In the Sixties the British government expelled them from their island. Exiled to the UK, they’ve never given up hope of returning to their island. ‘As more and more of our elders are dying, it is important to preserve our culture.’

New Statesman | 6 Jan 2024

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