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Adam Simpson

Adam Simpson

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What Thailand’s election means for the future of the country – and its beleaguered pro-democracy forces

More than 40 progressive lawmakers could be barred from politics for life, but the election results show support for pro-democracy parties remains...

16.02.2026 80

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

Japan’s rock star leader now has the political backing to push a bold agenda. Will she deliver?

Improving living standards in a country with a rapidly shrinking workforce and ageing population will test Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s political...

09.02.2026 10

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

5 years on from the junta’s coup, Myanmar’s flawed elections can’t unite a country at risk of breaking apart

Far from being free and fair, the elections lack any meaningful resemblance to democratic practice.

27.01.2026 10

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

Japan’s economy needs foreign workers, not the nationalist approach pushed by its new leader

Sanae Takaichi has voiced anti-immigrant policies at a time when Japan’s population continues to fall, threatening economic stagnation.

22.10.2025 8

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

Thailand has another new prime minister and an opening for progress. But will anything change?

08.09.2025 7

Pearls and Irritations

Adam Simpson

Thailand has another new prime minister and an opening for progress. But will anything change?

In a surprise move, a progressive party threw its support behind the conservative Anutin Charnvirakul in exchange for promises of reform.

05.09.2025 6

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

With new weapons, cash and battleground experience from Ukraine, North Korea has become much more formidable

Is the new South Korean president’s softer approach to the North wise in a challenging new security environment?

13.08.2025 20

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

As Trump lifts sanctions on Myanmar elites, is he eyeing the country’s rare earth reserves?

Myanmar’s generals are planning an election the opposition has slammed as a sham. They could see Trump’s interest in the country as a way of...

06.08.2025 6

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

Pro-Trump candidate wins Poland’s presidential election – a bad omen for the EU, Ukraine and women

Though the president has few powers, one of them is vetoing legislation. This means Karol Nawrocki’s win will be felt keenly, both in Poland and...

02.06.2025 7

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

Pie in the sky? After the Coalition’s stinging loss, nuclear should be dead. Here’s why it might live on

Coalition support for nuclear power in Australia may survive their devastating election loss.

05.05.2025 10

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

Thailand’s fragile democracy takes another hit with arrest of US academic

The law against insulting the Thai monarchy has become a common tool for silencing Thai activists. Now, a foreign academic has been targeted.

17.04.2025 10

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

Thousands are feared dead in Myanmar’s quake. Trump’s USAID cuts will cause even more unnecessary deaths

USAID accounted for a third of Myanmar’s foreign aid last year. Now, this funding is gone as the country grapples with a devastating earthquake.

29.03.2025 10

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

As the Myanmar junta’s hold on power weakens, could the devastating war be nearing a conclusion?

Myanmar’s junta now only controls 21% of the country. Even if the regime can be ousted, there are increasing fears the country will split along...

28.01.2025 10

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Adam Simpson

Chinese security companies are putting boots on the ground in Myanmar. It could go disastrously wrong

Just as the legal noose tightens on the leader of Myanmar’s military junta, with a request for an arrest warrant from the chief prosecutor of the...

11.12.2024 7

The Conversation

Adam Simpson