The Great Power Bargains
Upcoming Free to Join Online Events
27 August 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (GMT+8), Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Unpacking Malaysian Neutrality under Anwar: Is Hedging Still Possible (and Desirable) under Trump 2.0?
This seminar discusses Malaysia's neutrality under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, specifically its "hedging" approach amidst intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and increased global uncertainties with Trump 2.0. Despite perceptions of leaning towards Beijing, Malaysia continues to practice active non-alignment through three mechanisms: signaling autonomy, diversifying alignments, and pursuing strategic offsets to maintain freedom of action. The session will unpack the logic and practice of Malaysia's hedging strategy, assess how changing geopolitical tides affect its viability, and address implications for similarly placed states coping with great-power rivalry. For more information, and to register for this online event, see [Yusof Ishak Institute].
27 August 2025 @ 8:00 a.m. (GMT-7), Pacific Council, US
Democracy in Asia: Why It Matters to U.S. National Interests
This Pacific Council conversation with NDI officials Manpreet Singh Anand and Kristen Sample addresses the state of democracy in Asia and its implications for American interests. In the midst of a trend of democratic backsliding, authoritarian resurgence, and shrinking space for civil society, the discussion will explore repercussions for regional stability, international norms, and U.S. foreign policy. It will also cover how reduced U.S. foreign assistance risks ceding influence to China, citing recent contested elections and governance crises as omens of precarious democratic trajectories ahead in the region. For more information, and to register for this online event, see [Pacific Council].
27 August 2025 @ 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (GMT+2), The South African Institute of International Affairs, South Africa
KAS-SAIIA Careers Event 2025: Future-Proofing Humanities Degrees and Careers Within a Shifting Global Order
The KAS-SAIIA Careers Event emphasises the relevance of humanities and social sciences in a fast-evolving, multipolar world order. As the U.S.-led order weakens and new powers such as China, BRICS, and the Global South emerge, the event makes a point about how humanities graduates play a crucial role in informing policy, norms, and responses to global complexity. By mapping various career trajectories, hosting leaders from various fields, and launching the 2026 KAS-SAIIA Scholarship, it invites students to consider humanities degrees as instruments of influence, resilience, and constructive social change. For more information and to register for this online event, please see [SAIIA].
27 August 2025 @ 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (GMT+9), Asian Development Bank Institute, Japan
Health Policy and Practice in Asia: Promoting Universal Coverage and Sustainable Well-Being
This two-day virtual conference, hosted in partnership with the Asian Development Bank Institute, tackles the issues of universal health coverage in South and East Asia. Featuring fourteen empirical studies by researchers from the region, the conference provides a venue to share health economics research and discuss policy solutions. By examining various national contexts, the conference aims to glean lessons on healthcare system strengthening, equitable access promotion, and informing efforts to fill persisting gaps in coverage in the region. For more information, and to register for this online event, see [ADB].
28 August 2025 @ 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (GMT-4), Brookings, US
AI safety governance in Southeast Asia
This event, co-sponsored by Brookings' Center for Technology Innovation and AI Safety Asia, underscores Southeast Asia's rising role in global AI governance. Despite U.S.- and China-led AI safety discourse, the region's 700 million digitally connected citizens render it a significant driver of equitable and responsible AI development. The discussion will launch a new report and explore how Southeast Asia can draw from worldwide best practices and design context-specific approaches to leverage inclusive and safe technological progress. For more information see [Brookings].
28 August 2025 @ 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (GMT+9), Institute for Global Environmental Studies, Japan
Promoting collaboration, cooperation, and synergies for the national implementation of multilateral environmental agreements in Asia-Pacific
This UNEA side event highlights cooperative solutions for the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in the Asia-Pacific region, which is facing urgent challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and pollution. Building on UNEA resolution 6/4 (2024), which urged synergies and cooperation, the event will showcase progress on resolution 6/5 and share good practices in promoting co-benefits, improving resource efficiency, and strengthening international cooperation. Home to 4.1 billion people, the region offers outstanding opportunities to demonstrate integrated, cross-thematic environmental governance and sustainable development solutions. For more information and to register for this online event, please see, [IGES].
29 August 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (GMT+8), Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Trump 2.0 Tariffs: What Cost for the Thai Economy?
This webinar discusses the consequences of the U.S.–Thailand trade deal after April's "Liberation Day" tariffs, which put a 19% tax on Thai exports. Though lower than initially proposed, the tariff represents considerable danger due to Thailand's high reliance on exports and extensive integration into international value chains. The webinar will offer ex-ante estimations of anticipated effects on trade, GDP, jobs, and poverty, and assess policy reactions such as free trade agreements with new partners and market diversification strategies. For more information and to register for this online event, please see [Yusof Ishak Institute].
2 September 2025 @ 4:00 p.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council, US
Envisioning the threat to Taiwan: A cross-strait and beyond seminar
The seminar, co-hosted by the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council and Taiwan's representative office, aims to raise public awareness of the potential threat of a Chinese assault on Taiwan. As part of the Cross-Strait and Beyond Seminar Series, it focuses on the function of strategic communications in creating resilience, preserving Taiwan's determination to resist, and garnering domestic and international support. With Zero Day Attack's executive producer, the seminar bridges creative storytelling, security awareness, and defense preparedness. For more information and to register for this online event, please see [Atlantic Council].
2 September 2025 @ 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (GMT+1), Chatham House, United Kingdom
Strategic vision or strategic challenge? China’s leadership in a multipolar world
This debate discusses China's changing global aspirations as the international order becomes more multipolar. Set against the background of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit and a large-scale military parade, the discussion addresses how Beijing exercises influence through projects such as the Belt and Road, Global Security Initiative, and BRICS expansion. It seeks to critically analyze the nature, extent, and durability of China's strategy, with reference to governance, diplomacy, and partnerships, and what they mean for world norms, alliance politics, and reactions from the broader international system. For more information and to register for this online event, please see [Chatham House].
Recent Book Releases
Rutger Bregman, Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, Bloomsbury, 304 pages, published May 6 2025. For a review, see [LSE].
Alex Mayhew, Making Sense of the Great War: Crisis, Englishness, and Morale on the Western Front, Cambridge University Press, 390 pages, published April 18, 2025. For a review, see [LSE].
Alana Lentin, The New Racial Regime: Recalibrations of White Supremacy, Pluto Press, 304 pages, published May 20, 2025. For a review, see [LSE].
Serhiy Kudelia, Seize the City, Undo the State: The Inception of Russia’s War on Ukraine, Oxford University Press, 344 pages, published July 23, 2025. For a review, see [Foreign Affairs].
David Shambaugh, Breaking the Engagement: How China Won and Lost America, Oxford University Press, 456 pages, published November 20, 2025. For a review, see [Foreign Affairs].
🌍 Top Stories of the Week 19/8 - 26/8
19 August
🇺🇦 Zelensky has arrived at the White House for his meeting with Trump. Zelensky comeback at the journalist who “attacked” him before. Zelensky “I changed but you are in the same suit”. Consequently, the Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders' closed-door meeting begins. [Source]
🇺🇦 🇪🇺 🇺🇸Ukraine promises to buy $100 billion in US weapons (funded by Europe) to secure Trump’s guarantees after peace with Russia, plus a $50 billion drone deal. [Source]
🇳🇴 🇮🇱 Norway’s sovereign wealth fund sells its shares in 11 Israeli companies.[Source]
20 August
🇷🇺 🇨🇳 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 Putin asked China to be guarantor for agreement with US and Europe. [Source]
🇮🇳 🇺🇸 Apple to produce all new 17 models in India for the first time, despite Trump’s tariff threat to India. [Source]
🇮🇳 🇷🇺 Bessent (United States Secretary of the Treasury) says India's richest families benefit from Russia deals. [Source]
21 August
🇬🇧 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 UK will deploy troops in Ukraine: UK to offer troops to defend Ukraine's skies and ports in Pentagon talks.
Officials say UK not prepared to deploy troops to frontline with Russia as head of armed forces prepares to meet US counterparts in Washington. [Source]
🇺🇸 🇮🇱 Trump Calls Netanyahu a 'War Hero' and Adds: 'I guess I am too'. Currently Israel has approved Gaza city invasion and Exodus. [Source]
🇮🇳 Nuclear capable, 5000km range: India successfully test fires Agni-5 missile in big boost for country’s defence. [Source]
🇨🇳 China’s nuclear arsenal continues to grow as “China is building about 350 new missile silos and several new bases for road mobile launchers”. Possibly 600 and 1000+ by 2030. [Source]
🇮🇳 🇨🇳 🇵🇰 🇦🇫 From the 20 of August things weren’t looking good between China and India. Engaging because of the trade war and upcoming SCO summit, the trade decicit was said to rise more. Now, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan vow joint fight against militancy, to extend CPEC to Kabul. [Source]
Mainly investing in multi-billion-dollar energy and infrastructure and to counter the growing “terrorism” in the region.
🇺🇸 Trump orders border wall to be painted black so it’s too hot to touch. [Source]
22 August
🇺🇳 🇮🇱 UN declares famine in Gaza for the first time! 500,000 people in “catastrophic” condition. Crazy it has only been recognised now. [Source]
🇨🇳 Boeing in talks to sell up to 500 jets to China. [Source]
24 August
🇺🇸 🇻🇪 The U.S. military deployment near Venezuela, involving 3 destroyers, an amphibious squadron, and about 4,500 personnel. [Source]
Venezuela got largest oil reserves and lot of natural resources.
US is looking for a regime change in response Maduro also raised 4 Million militia.
Possible invasion on the basis of targeting drug cartels in Venezuela.
Could also be a scare tactic to prevent Venezuela annexation on Guyana's oil. Guyana is the eighth-largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S. market.
25 August
🇺🇦 🇷🇺 Ukraine drone hits Russian nuclear plant, sparks huge fire at Novatek’s Ust-Luga terminal. [Source]
🇫🇷 🇺🇸 Paris summons US envoy over comments on antisemitism. [Source]
US envoy criticises France’s lack of action over antisemitism...criticising Macron.
26 August
🇻🇪 🇨🇴 Venezuela sends troops to Colombia border as US ships join cartel operation. [Source]
🇩🇪 🇳🇴 🇺🇸 Germany and Norway will allocate €9 Billion and $8.5 billion for Ukraine. Europe will buy weapons from US and provide it to Ukraine.. a process that will strengthen USA. [Source 1] [Source 2]
🇩🇪 🇵🇸Germany will not join Western Allies in recognising Palestine, Chancellor Merz says. [Source]
🇺🇸 Intel warns US stake could hurt international sales, future grants. [Source]
