Fuel shortages caused by the war in Iran hit S.E. Asia particularly hard, including shortened work and school weeks, grounded flights, and rolling blackouts. Many governments are utilizing subsidies that economists deem unsustainable if the conflict persists. Read more: www.cfr.org/articles/the...

Update from Kazakhstan: Citizens pass a constitutional referendum with reported 90% support. The new constitution expands the powers of the President across several branches of government. Read more here: www.euronews.com/2026/03/16/l...

You are invited to join us for a conversation with Dr. Iza Ding of Northwestern University, centering on her research in contemporary Chinese environmental politics. Lunch will be provided. Register now! bit.ly/4rVcuZX

Update from Nepal: Rapper turned Mayor of Kathmandu set to win a landslide victory in Nepal’s post-revolutionary election. No government has won a majority since the country’s first democratic elections in 1959. Read more here: www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/...

As we enter the post election period, check out our content covering Bangladesh’s general election below. Our graduate student election report covers context and major themes. louisville.app.box.com/file/2158942...

David Jackman of Oxford University joined the pod to discuss the recent election in Bangladesh, the first election held since the student-led "Monsoon Revolution" overthrew Sheikh Hasina's government in July 2024. Listen now: rss.com/podcasts/cad...

SCOTUS's ruling against Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs has implications for countries across Asia, including many democratic allies. Uncertain refunds loom as months-long negotiated deals are unsettled. Trump’s new tariff announcements continue the uncertainty. Read more: www.bbc.com/news/article...

🇧🇩 Update: BNP wins landslide victory in first elections since 2024 revolution. The July charter containing 84 reforms to the constitution gains 70% support, while the Gen-Z’s NCP party struggles to build on revolutionary momentum, winning only 6 seats. Read more: www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/...

You are invited to join us for a conversation with Dr. Cesi Cruz of the University of Michigan, centering on efforts to counter political polarization with a focus on her research in the Philippines. Lunch will be provided. Register now! bit.ly/4tA463R

Conservative parties notch wins in Japan and Thailand. Japan's LDP expands its majority. Thai PM Anutin used nationalism fueled by Cambodia conflict to consolidate power for his party. Questions face the Thai opposition and the future of the Thaksin dynasty. www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Update from Japan: Snap elections to take place Feb 8 following parliament dissolution by PM Takaichi. Trying to bolster the LDP’s thin majority since breakup of Komeito coalition, Takaichi is relying on her own popularity in these elections. Read more: www.cnbc.com/2026/01/30/j...

Update from China: Xi Jinping targets top officials in military purge. Xi's purges focus on alleged elite corruption, a major source of popular frustration. They also reflect centralization of Xi’s power over the PLA and other potential rivals. Read more: www.reuters.com/world/china/...

Looking ahead: Violence persists as Nepal moves towards a March 5 election. Protesters remain unhappy with the interim government, claiming both persisting corruption and lack of arrests for those responsible for violence against protesters in September. Read more: apnews.com/article/nepa...

Looking Ahead: Bangladesh’s election on February 12 grows closer as the transitional government works for a "democratic reset." Stuck between peace keeping and protecting freedoms, the government is facing many challenges during this vital period. Read more: www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

CAD is proud to promote "Lunar New Year at the Speed" by Asia Institute - Crane House & the @speedartmuseum.bsky.social to ring in 2026: the Year of the Horse. Enjoy live performances, craft making, and flavorful foods! We hope to see you there!

Looking ahead: ex-Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol continues to stand trial for the failed martial law attempt in December 2024. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for charges of inciting an insurrection, though he denies the charges. Read more here: www.bbc.com/news/article...

You are invited to join us for a conversation with Dr. Diana Kim of Georgetown University, centering on untouchability as a global challenge, focusing on evidence from Korea and across Asia. Lunch will be provided. Register now! us5.list-manage.com/survey?u=d21...

CAD is proud to promote two of our affiliate faculty's recent publications: Dr. Lisa Björkman's "Drama of Democracy" & Dr. Shiping Hua's "The Chinese Dream and Law". Congratulations to Dr. Björkman and Dr. Hua!

We are excited to welcome our new postdoctoral research fellow, Dr. Khasan Redjaboev! He recently received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome to UofL!

As floods sweep across South and Southeast Asia, the humanitarian crisis is putting regional governments under pressure. The challenge comes to a region already facing discontent over the uneven and weak quality of governance. Read more here: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...

It was a pleasure to host Dr. Jonathan Corpus Ong of UMass Amherst for a discussion on counter-disinfo efforts in Asia and the Global South. If you couldn’t make it to the event, you can find a recording of the talk here! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqxv...

Bangladesh Update: Former PM Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death for her government's brutal crackdown on student protests. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry called for her extradition from India, where she has lived since fleeing her country in August 2024. Read more: www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Donald Trump hosted the C5 + 1 summit in Washington last week, bringing together Central Asian countries. The region, rich in rare minerals, has been the focus of recent global trade negotiations amidst the U.S.-China trade war. Read more here: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...

As Trump Admin. cuts continue to have effect, Radio Free Asia shuts its doors for the first time in 29 years. USAGM’s elimination through EO in March began the financial hardships for RFA. RFA leaders say, "Authoritarian regimes are already celebrating." Read more: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...

NEW DATE! Our lecture with Dr. Jonathan Corpus Ong has been rescheduled for next Thursday, November 13th at 1pm. The event will be held at the same location, Ford Hall 305. A livestream will also be available for those that cannot attend in person. Register now: bit.ly/4nJoiwf

Newly-arrived CAD doctoral fellow Khasan Redjaboev joins the pod to discuss his research on governance in Central Asia, with a special focus on Soviet colonial legacies in the region. Khasan's research brings this diverse region into focus. Stream our newest episode now: rss.com/podcasts/cad...

Pres. Trump’s visit to Asia has included little public talk about democracy. As trade negotiations dominate headlines, observers note that Asia's well-documented democratic backsliding seems to be off of the diplomatic agenda. See more: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/u...

You are invited to join us on Thursday, November 6th at 1pm for a conversation with Dr. Jonathan Corpus Ong. This talk will discuss counter-disinformation efforts in the Global South. Lunch will be provided. We hope to see you there, register now! us5.list-manage.com/survey?u=d21...

Taiwan Update: Cheng Li-wun elected new KMT leader. Accusations of Chinese interference in the election come from Jaw Shau-kong, former KMT Vice Presidential candidate. Jaw is a key supporter of the establishment candidate that Cheng defeated. Read more: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...

Update from Myanmar: Military airstrike on anti-Junta protest kills 40 civilians. The protest was a vigil held during a Buddhist festival in Chaung U. This crackdown comes as the military prepares for its fraudulent elections to consolidate power in December. Read more: www.bbc.com/news/article...

Update from Japan: Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s new “Iron Lady,” is expected to be the country’s first female prime minister. A conservative nationalist, she is anti-immigration and pro-military. Her pressing challenge is bringing popularity back to Japan’s LDP. Read more: www.dw.com/en/sanae-tak...

We will be hosting a conversation with Dr. Lisa Björkman on her new book “Drama of Democracy: Political Representation in Mumbai” on Monday, October 13th at 12:30. We hope to see you there, register today! bit.ly/3VVSaKf

The Dalai Lama's recent comments on his future reincarnation have sent shockwaves throughout Asian politics. Stream the latest episode of our podcast with Dr. Tenzin Dorjee to discuss how his research helps make sense of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday. rss.com/podcasts/cad...

Over 200 arrested in anticorruption protests last week in Manila. Demonstrations were largely peaceful, but clashes with police left dozens injured. Graft in flood control projects that allegedly totals billions sparked protests. Read more here: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/...

It was a pleasure to host Dr. Erin Lin of The Ohio State University at UofL for a discussion on her recently published book, When The Bombs Stopped: The Legacy of War in Rural Cambodia. If you couldn’t make it to the event, you can find a recording of the talk here! youtube.com/watch?v=7Rd3...

Update from Nepal: 74 killed during Gen Z protests that forced former Prime Minister Oli to resign. Caretaker PM Shushila Karki has announced elections in early March, but obstacles remain to meeting that timeline. Read more here: www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Indonesia update: Protests over low wages and police brutality led to a cabinet reshuffle. Housing allowances for lawmakers sparked discontent, causing looting of politicians' homes. The cabinet has garnered criticism for being loyalists to Pres. Prabowo. Read more: www.france24.com/en/live-news...

You are invited to join us on Thursday, September 25th at 1pm for a conversation with Dr. Erin Lin, Professor of Political Science at The Ohio State University. Lunch will be served at 12:45. We hope to see you there, register today! bit.ly/4n9Kj7L

The ongoing protests in Indonesia have already led to a cabinet reshuffle and a growing movement for political reform. Stream the latest episode of our Inside Asia podcast, where Dr. Alex Arifianto joins to discuss the path forward for the protesters and the Indonesian government.

Update from Thailand: Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra convicted by the Thai supreme court. Conviction, along with his daughter’s ousting as PM in August, are significant blows to his political dynasty. Read more here:

Update from Hong Kong: As Jimmy Lai’s trial comes to an end, the powerful HK Election Committee is up for re-election on 9/7. These are the first elections since Beijing’s massive 2021 alterations to electoral procedures. Legislative elections will follow in December. Read more here:

Welcome to CAD's new Bluesky page! We're excited to kick off the Fall 2025 semester. Check out our schedule of guest lectures this semester, and stay tuned for more details as each event's date approaches!