The Asia Cable @theasiacable

China Labels Qatar Ties “Golden” Despite Regional Constraints Qatar's peculiar position in Gulf affairs keeps China ties practical rather than strategic.

China and Qatar’s “golden era” is built on gas, not grand strategy.

@alexmgintz.bsky.social examines the moving parts of the China-Qatar relationship, which keep the arrangement comfortable and low-maintenance for both sides.

www.theasiacable.com/p/china-labe...

11.08.2025 23:09 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

ICYMI: North Korea has sent 12 million munitions and thousands of troops to Russia, becoming an indispensable part of Moscow’s war effort. Drake Tien writes that this growing dependence could reshape U.S. and allied strategy.

Read more: www.theasiacable.com/p/the-changi...

#NorthKorea #Russia

06.08.2025 15:00 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Examining the Mistrust Between Iran & Pakistan Bound by geography and divided by history, the two Islamic Republics remain uneasy neighbors.

Despite perpetually tense relations, outright hostility between Iran and Pakistan has been rare.

Sapna Suresh examines the state of relations between the two Islamic Republics and the "cold peace" that has constrained the deep mistrust between them.

www.theasiacable.com/p/examining-...

01.08.2025 18:45 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

China Confirms 4th Plenum for October With Growth Constraints Front of Mind With weak household demand and strained local finances, China’s long-term growth strategy faces mounting structural pressure ahead of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

#China has confirmed its Fourth Plenum for October — but the agenda breaks with tradition.

By putting economic planning at the center, the Party is signaling that growth stabilization is now its top domestic priority.

✍️ @alexmgintz.bsky.social

www.theasiacable.com/p/china-conf...

30.07.2025 21:10 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

From Exile to Endangered: Thaksin's Political Revival on the Verge of Collapse His house of cards is trembling and his dynasty may not survive the fall.

Thaksin’s house of cards is collapsing, and his dynasty might go with it.

Nattan Plewissara breaks down the unraveling of #Thailand’s most controversial political comeback. The Shinawatra family may be facing its most precarious moment yet.

www.theasiacable.com/p/from-exile...

30.07.2025 16:21 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

The Last Holdouts: Resistance in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan Armed resistance to the Taliban continues, but its impact remains limited.

Resistance in #Afghanistan persists, but barely.
As James Calderon writes, groups like the NRF and AFF are active, but fragmented and unsupported.

The #Taliban’s biggest threat? Collapse from within.

www.theasiacable.com/p/the-last-h...

16.07.2025 21:34 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

China’s Tough Road to Consumer-Led Growth When Premier Li Qiang told the “Summer Davos” crowd in Tianjin on June 25 that China can keep “relatively rapid” growth while moving from investment toward consumer spending, the applause drowned out ...

Beijing says it wants more consumer-led growth. But the system still rewards overcapacity, investment, and control.

Until China shifts power and capital toward households, talk of a consumption pivot is just that: talk.

✍️ Nick Ayrton

www.theasiacable.com/p/china-toug...

09.07.2025 18:41 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Repression Without Arrest: The Invisible Weight of Fear in China China’s quiet war on dissent is more effective — and more exportable — than it looks.

In China, control often looks like silence rather than punishment.

Most dissent doesn’t end in arrest, but in withdrawal: fewer public statements, canceled events, careers quietly redirected. Liam Kierans takes a closer look at self-censorship in China:

www.theasiacable.com/p/repression...

08.07.2025 15:57 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Moving Beyond Ceasefires: Barriers to Peace in Myanmar Despite temporary halts in fighting, deep-rooted ethnic tensions, fragmented resistance, and weak international pressure continue to obstruct any path to lasting peace in Myanmar.

Ceasefires offer brief pauses, but rarely peace.

Myanmar has yet to confront its long history of ethnic suppression. Without reckoning with that past, will any ceasefire hold?

Alexander Stump tackles this question.

www.theasiacable.com/p/beyond-cea...

26.06.2025 17:25 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Why Differences Regarding India & Pakistan Will Not Cause a Major Rift Between Russia & China Despite backing opposing sides in South Asia, Moscow and Beijing remain aligned in their flexible, anti-Western partnership.

Russia backs India. China backs Pakistan. Their partnership endures despite these differences.

Sapna Suresh breaks down how strategic flexibility, not shared regional goals, keeps the Russia–China relationship intact.

www.theasiacable.com/p/why-differ...

25.06.2025 16:13 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

The Leaked Call Shaking Thai Politics: Translated Secret audio of Thai PM pleading with Hun Sen over border dispute sparks outrage and calls for resignation.

Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra's leaked phone call to Cambodia's Hun Sen has threatened the stability of her governing coalition.

Below is an English transcript of the call, translated for The Asia Cable by Nattan Plewissara.

www.theasiacable.com/p/the-leaked...

22.06.2025 16:23 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

‘It’s Easy to Resign’: Popular Protests Succeed in Ending Mongolian PM’s Tenure Economic development proves insufficient in placating the will of the Mongolian people.

As we await the appointment of Mongolia’s next prime minister, Arlen Agiliga examines the popular protests and eventual vote of no confidence that led Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene to resign.

Get the full story at the link below. ⬇️

www.theasiacable.com/p/its-easy-t...

12.06.2025 16:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

New Railway Connecting Iran & China Presents Opportunities & challenges A new overland trade route promises faster freight and strategic autonomy, but operational roadblocks threaten its success.

A new 6,500-mile rail corridor between #Iran and #China promises to cut delivery times in half and bypass Western-controlled chokepoints. But as Dr. Steven Terner writes, turning geopolitical vision into logistical reality is another matter.

www.theasiacable.com/p/new-railwa...

09.06.2025 16:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A "Golden Year" Built on Sand China and Iran Eye Closer Ties in 2025 — but the Foundation Is Far from Solid

Iran has hailed 2025 as a "golden year" for China-Iran ties. But in reality, this partnership is constrained by conflicting regional interests and symbolic gestures rather than firm commitments.

✍ @alexmgintz.bsky.social

Editing: @raelrm.bsky.social

www.theasiacable.com/p/a-golden-y...

05.05.2025 17:55 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Yoon Suk Yeol's Impeachment Is Upheld Yoon is formally dismissed from the office of the presidency following a ruling by the Constitutional Court of Korea.

Yoon Suk Yeol has been removed as President of South Korea following a unanimous ruling by the country's Constitutional Court. A presidential election will be held within the next 60 days.

www.theasiacable.com/p/yoon-suk-y...

04.04.2025 02:26 — 👍 3 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0

Assessing the Limits of the UAE's China Strategy Increasing Global Tensions Narrow the Window for Strategic Balancing

In an era of renewed great power competition, the UAE 🇦🇪 has pursued deep economic ties with China 🇨🇳 while relying on the West for its security umbrella.

How sustainable is this balancing act?

✍️ Alex Gintz

Editing: Rachael Rhine Milliard and Audrey Scott

www.theasiacable.com/p/limits-uae...

28.03.2025 16:58 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Asia Daily: March 14, 2025 China’s central bank to create ‘more tools’ to shore up economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) announced plans to introduce new monetary tools to boost domestic consumption, support innovation, an...

Asia Daily: March 14, 2025

www.theasiacable.com/p/asia-daily...

15.03.2025 03:05 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Asia Daily: March 13, 2025 China’s No. 3 Zhao Leji returns to public spotlight after missing end of two sessions. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress, reappeared in public after missing the closing sessions of...

Asia Daily: March 13, 2025

www.theasiacable.com/p/asia-daily...

13.03.2025 22:09 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested on ICC Warrant Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, was arrested on Tuesday (March 11) morning while returning to Manila from a trip to Hong Kong, the Presidential Communications Office has confirme...

Rodrigo Duterte, former President of the Philippines, has been arrested in Manila on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Duterte faces accusations of crimes against humanity related to atrocities committed during his controversial war on drugs.

www.theasiacable.com/p/rodrigo-du...

11.03.2025 04:08 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0