Asia explained
A mass killing in the Philippines sparks rare scrutiny over counterinsurgency violence – but no wider reckoning
The Philippines has been engaged in a battle against Maoist insurgents since the late 1960s.
Chinese American teens experience depression, anxiety at higher rates than peers – here’s why their parents may miss the warning signs
After my niece died by suicide, I began researching how Chinese immigrant families feel about their children’s mental health and why they often avoid care.
China’s new 5‑year plan: A high‑stakes bet on self‑reliance that won’t fix an unbalanced economy
The latest blueprint from Beijing stresses ‘self-reliance’ and ‘high-quality development.’ But is that enough to offset weak domestic growth and poor consumption?
How tourism, a booming wellness culture and social media are transforming the age‑old Japanese tea ceremony
Social media has turned traditional Japanese matcha into a commercial trend, though its roots lie in Zen Buddhism. A scholar of premodern Japanese literature unpacks that history.
What a bear attack in a remote valley in Nepal tells us about the problem of aging rural communities
Lack of opportunities are driving young people away from rural villages, leaving fewer people to scare away the wildlife.
What a Chinese crackdown on corruption meant for Beijing’s high‑end restaurant market
In 2012, the Chinese Communist Party introduced new rules on officials’ spending – and the local restaurant trade suffered.
Cheers! Welcome to the Nepalese village where everybody knows how to distill
Chang, a refreshing, low-strength brew, and arak, its stronger relative, have long been part of Tibetan rituals.
From beef ribs to a ‘heavenly’ walk: Xi‑Trump summit symbolism underscored American power and Chinese tradition
A cultural historian of modern China explains the meaning behind some of the venue choices during President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
Exploring questions of meaning, ethics and belief through Japanese anime
Anime characters often face challenges that connect to long-standing Buddhist and Shintō teachings. In this course, students look closely at what anime is saying about life.