Blog

The blog echoes the remit of the RSAA and the Journal, covering current affairs, culture, travel, exploration and recent history from the Levant to South-East Asia. The opinions expressed are not those of the Journal or the RSAA, but of the individual contributor.

Contributions

Contributions are welcome from members of the RSAA and invited guests. Please contact us if you would like to contribute.

The Gardener of Lashkar Gah

An interview with author Larisa Brown about her new book The Gardener of Lashkar Gah, the powerful true story of the Afghans left behind as the Taliban retook Afghanistan.

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“Mirror Image: A Transformation of Chinese Identity” – Notes on an exhibition at New York’s Asia Society Museum

Jenny Wu On June 15, 2022, the art exhibition Mirror Image: A Transformation of Chinese…

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Curriculum Reform and Diversification in Rural Nepal

Charlie Mackenzie Portlock, Chairman, Partners for Progress Nepal is home to the most formidable mountain…

Damage Control: Kazakhstan after the January 2022 Crisis

Professor Charles J Sullivan, Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan In early January 2022, the Republic of Kazakhstan…

Shah-i Zinda, Samrkand

Research, Reform, and Renaissance in Uzbekistan’s Cultural Heritage

Sophie Ibbotson, a Trustee of the RSAA, reports on progress in combatting cultural theft Indiana…

MAKING THE PAST SERVE THE PRESENT: THE SILK ROAD AND CHINA’S QUEST FOR IMPERIAL REJUVENATION

DR BIJAN OMRANI, EDITOR OF ASIAN AFFAIRS, THE RSAA JOURNAL, REPORTS ON THE LATEST ONLINE EXPERT…

HONG KONG: FROM PROTEST TO PERDITION? WHERE NEXT FOR ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS?

Dr Bijan Omrani, Editor of Asian Affairs, the RSAA journal, reports on the latest online expert…

Forced Labour in Xinjiang: Can Western Companies be Held to Account?

Nick Kenny looks at the scope in national and international law for responses to human…

Breakthrough or Breakdown: Thailand’s Latest Political Pandemonium

Dr Bijan Omrani, Editor of Asian Affairs, the RSAA Journal, reports on this week’s online…

After the elections: where next for US/Asia relations?

Dr Bijan Omrani, Editor of the Asian Affairs Journal, reports on this week’s RSAA online…

Silence in Hong Kong: a Focused Purpose Achieved

Angus Forsyth responds to Martin Purbrick’s 6 July blog with an alternative view of the…

As silence is imposed, freedom is a whisper in Hong Kong

Martin Purbrick looks at the impact of the Safeguarding National Security law in Hong Kong…

In Afghanistan, Coronavirus Threatens More Than a Medical Catastrophe

Rupert Stone looks at the likely impact of coronavirus in Afghanistan and anticipates worrying consequences…

China’s Responsibility for the Covid-19 Crisis – Should we be cautious about pursuing it through the courts? – Nick Kenny

Nick Kenny holds a master’s degree from the University of Oxford, and is now studying…

The Singapore Circuit-Breaker: COVID-19 in a City State

Eleanor Thorp has shared this view of  the successes and uncertainties of Singapore’s life with…

Another decade, another aspect of living in the United Arab Emirates – now with the corona virus pandemic – Dr Frauke Heard-Bey

Dr Frauk Heard-Bey, the RSAA’s local Honorary Secretary in Abu Dhabi, offers this picture of…

A Letter from Hong Kong – 21 May 2020

As Martin Purbrick (@mtpurbrick) leaves Hong Kong he reflects again on Covid-19 and Hong Kong’s…

Pakistan’s corona crisis puts Britain’s in perspective

Rupert Stone comments on the impact of Covid-19 in Pakistan While much of Europe and…