György Matolcsy, the former governor of the Hungarian National Bank, was a key figure in Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy toward Beijing, Moscow, and other non-Western partners. Following his fall from Orbán’s grace, the MNB-funded network of pro-Eastern Opening think tanks is also in trouble. Key takeaways: Hungary’s State Audit Office uncovered major financial mismanagement by… Continue reading Hungary’s “Eastern Opening Czar” falls out of Orbán’s grace
The devastating earthquake in Myanmar has exposed the junta’s mismanagement. Key takeaways: Myanmar’s military regime has prioritized its interest in fueling the war and maintaining political control over disaster preparation, worsening the earthquake devastation. Discrimination under the junta has left minority communities more vulnerable to the earthquake’s impact. The military’s post-quake response shows continued mismanagement… Continue reading Fault lines of a dictatorship: Myanmar’s earthquake disaster
China’s growing pressure on Taiwan is no longer confined to airspace violations and military drills; a renewed surge in espionage has forced Taiwan’s leadership to confront a deeper, systemic threat to its national security. Key takeaways: Chinese espionage operations in Taiwan are systematic, long-running, and increasingly sophisticated, targeting both military and civilian sectors. President Lai… Continue reading A threat from within: Chinese espionage in Taiwan
Technological advancements point to the growing risk to underwater infrastructure from China. Key takeaways: Recent reports regarding China’s deep-sea cable-cutting technology indicate an emerging trend toward the militarization of critical digital infrastructure. Current international legal frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), do not provide sufficient protection for submarine… Continue reading China’s deep-sea cable-cutting technology: A new front in hybrid warfare?
In light of concerns over political interference, many countries halted their cooperation with China’s Confucius Institutes, allowing Taiwan’s Mandarin learning centers to grow. However, the organization’s decentralized nature has led to a different path of development. Key takeaways: In response to global concerns about the Confucius Institutes, Taiwan launched its own Mandarin education initiative in… Continue reading Race for Mandarin: Taiwan’s language education institutes in Central Europe
