De Facto

De Facto recommends

K-Scar

This week, on the 27th of July, it’s 73 years ago since the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, marking the still existing ceasefire between South and North Korea. The border between the two Koreas is a fascinating place that caught the attention of journalist Roland de Courson. He has been exploring the inter-Korean border, its history, landscapes, and the people living in its shadow and made K-Scar: A Journey Along the Korean Division. We recommend diving into this interesting online documentary project exploring everything border-related .

25 Jul 2026

De Facto recommends

Bakudengar in Museum Arnhem

This spring, Museum Arnhem presents the exhibition Bakudengar (Listen to each other), in which personal stories, collective memories, and contemporary themes from the Indonesian archipelago and its diaspora come together. To be seen till September 20, 2026.

Museum Arnhem | 12 Apr 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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