Internal Affairs

HEADLINES

USTR Section 301 Action’s New Maritime Fee Structure against China

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | April 19, 2025 |

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) introduced a new maritime fee structure in April 2025 to counter China’s dominance in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors while promoting U.S. shipbuilding. The initiative stems from a Section 301 investigation, prompted by five U.S. labor unions in March 2024, which concluded that China’s state subsidies and policies unfairly…

[ PBS ] House passes Republican bill requiring voters provide proof of U.S. citizenship

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | April 11, 2025 |

The House passed one of Republicans’ signature issues for the year on Thursday, approving legislation to require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections, one of President Donald Trump’s top election-related priorities. Nearly all Democrats lined up against the bill and warned that it risks disenfranchising millions of Americans who do…

SK impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided arrest after standoff – Timeline of South Korea’s Martial Law Saga so far

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | January 3, 2025

For those that had not been following the South Korean Martial Law saga, you may be surprised to learn that, until today, the President of South Korea who declared the surprised nationwide emergency martial law controversially then, Yoon Suk Yeol, remains… somewhat President… and not arrested. So I’m sure, we now need to recap and…

Putin’s Meeting with Former Wagner Commander Raises Questions

By DPA NewsDesk | September 30, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent meeting with Andrei Troshev, the former commander of the Wagner private military contractor, has thrust this secretive organization back into the spotlight, igniting a fresh wave of curiosity and raising questions about the group’s future objectives and operations. The meeting, which unfolded within the walls of the Kremlin and was…

History meeting between representative of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Azerbaijan at Yevlakh city

By DPA NewsDesk | September 22, 2023

The historical meeting took place on September 21st in Yevlakh city, with representatives from Azerbaijan and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) convening under Russian mediation. The focal point of this meeting was the presentation of a reintegration plan aimed at the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh. This initiative sought to explore potential avenues for the Armenian population to…

DPA:COUNTRY STABILITY INDEX MAP

ARTICLES

Rohingya Leader Mohibullah assassinated; ARSA is widely believed to be behind the assassination

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 30, 2021

On September 29, 2021, Mohibullah, 46, chair of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Mohibullah had served as a leader among the nearly one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, documenting the Myanmar military’s crimes against the Rohingya and advocating…

REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody therapy delivery will arrive in Singapore next month

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 30, 2021

According the Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore largest chinese newspaper/media outlet, a spokesman from the National Center for Infectious Diseases of Singapore (NCID) had confirmed to the Associated Press that the monoclonal antibody cocktail, casirivimab and imdevimab, developed by US drugmaker Regeneron and Swiss pharmaceutical company, Roche, will be expected to arrive in the island state next…

Ho Ching to handover Temasek Holdings’ top seat for a “second time” on Oct 1 after 17 years of service

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 30, 2021

Outgoing chief executive of Temasek Holdings, Ho Ching, will be stepping down from the board on Friday (Oct 1). Mdm Ho, who is also the wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said she has been “very much” a part of the leadership succession process after being in the company for 17 years. The company…

[ The Conversation ] Who is Fumio Kishida, Japan’s new prime minister?

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 29, 2021

Fumiko Kishida will become the next prime minister of Japan after winning a dramatic runoff in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership vote today. He will be Japan’s third prime minister in just over a year, replacing the deeply unpopular Yoshihide Suga, whose fortunes began to fall after he followed Shinzo Abe into the prime…

Manny Pacquiao accepted Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) nomination to run for Philippines President

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 21, 2021

Manny Pacquiao is running to become the next President of the Phillippines. The 42-year-old boxer – who is one of the most celebrated athletes of all time – has accepted the nomination of the PDP-Laban-Pacquiao faction ahead of the elections in May 2022. Manny Pacquiao@MannyPacquiao·Sep 19I boldly accept the challenge of running as PRESIDENT of…

Syrian gas pipeline sabotage, causing complete power outage across Syria

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 18, 2021

Last night, Syria suffered a complete power outage for unknown reasons (other reports mention that this only affected Damascus and the surrounding regions). It was later announced by Syria’s Minister of Electricity Ghasan Al Zamel that a pipeline was targeted an explosive device at Deir Ali Power Plant, that caused the blackout. “There was a…

[ Manila Times ] 2 ranking NPA leaders surrender in Isabela

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 11, 2021

 Local supporters of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) have turned over their firearms following the surrender of two high ranking NPA rebels to the Army’s Fifth Infantry Division (5th ID), according to Maj. Jekyll Julian Dulawan, 5th ID public affairs officer. In a report released on Tuesday, Dulawan said Alias Rence and Alias Maki, both…

National Socialist Council of Nagaland Niki Group (NSCN (K)) Signs Ceasefire Pact with the Government of India

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

In a big development on Wednesday, the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group signed a ceasefire pact with the Centre to bring lasting peace in Nagaland. Already, the Union government has entered into similar agreements with other Naga groups such as NSCN(NK), NSCN(R) and NSCN(K)-Khango besides signing a Framework Agreement with NSCN(IM). The…

[ RFA ] Hundreds Flee During Four Days of Fighting in Lashio township, Shan State, Myanmar

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

Four days of continuous fighting between Myanmar’s military and a rebel army in northern Shan state’s Lashio city, near the country’s border with China, have left at least 17 junta troops dead and forced hundreds of civilians to flee their homes to safety, local media and residents said Tuesday. Clashes began on Aug. 28 when…

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) joined NUG’s war against Tatmadaw

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

Lasandar@ARAHAN96 The Shan State-based Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army declared Tuesday a day of collective armed uprising, becoming the first ethnic armed group to show solidarity with the National Unity Government’s declaration of war against the junta. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

[ The Quint ] Rohingya Refugees: What is ARSA and Why Are Indian Authorities Concerned?

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

ARSA, formerly known as Harakah al-Yakin, or ‘Faith Movement’, is currently active among the Rohingya residents in Myanmar and Bangladesh. It claims to be fighting for the rights of the Rohingya population in Myanmar, which were denied by the government. DPA Note: ARSA = Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army Since 2017, Aman Ullah had been shuttling…

[ The Irrawaddy ] Visions of a Federal Future for Myanmar are Fading Fast

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

In fact, the AA has been more assertive, not just in words but also in deeds. Since November 2020, when a ceasefire was tacitly agreed between the AA and the Myanmar military, the AA has carried out its ambitious plan to tighten its grip on Rakhine State. With the military occupied with suppressing resistance to…

[ The Diplomat ] Arakan Army Seeks to Build ‘Inclusive’ Administration in Rakhine State

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

Seven months since the military coup in Myanmar, the political wing of the rebel Arakan Army (AA) has significantly expanded its administrative and judicial mechanisms across Rakhine State in western Myanmar, with hundreds of its personnel now effectively administering the region independently of the military junta that rules in Naypyidaw. The group is also attempting…

Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) to cease military operation against the Tatmadaw in view of COVID-19 pandemic

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

The Three Brotherhood Alliance has urged groups to minimize, avoid, and stop military operations that affect the security of the people. The alliance consists of the Arakan Army (AA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. The Three Brotherhood Alliance said in their statement that they wanted this in order…

[ Reuters ] How family of a Myanmar junta leader are trying to cash in

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 9, 2021

A review of an archived version of the account, which has since been shut down, revealed the username was a pseudonym belonging to Ivan Htet, the 33-year-old son of a leading figure in the coup: the chief of the air force, Maung Maung Kyaw. But Ivan Htet hasn’t just been an enthusiastic supporter on social…

[ Mothership ] Thai protesters continue street rallies demanding PM to resign over failure to handle Covid-19

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 8, 2021

In a bid to oust the Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, daily protests are expected to continue at the same location in the coming days, Nattawut reportedly told protestors on Sep. 5. The most recent protests at Asoke marked a step up from the previous “car mob” protests, where people swarmed the streets of Bangkok…

[ Myanmar Now ] Myanmar’s shadow government declares ‘resistance war’ against military junta

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 7, 2021

Myanmar’s acting president Duwa Lashi La of the National Unity Government (NUG) announced on Tuesday that the people’s “resistance war” against the junta had started and urged the public across the country to revolt against the military coup regime led by Min Aung Hlaing.  In an seven-minute emergency speech, the acting president also called on…

[ NPR ] Guinea’s Military Declared A Coup. What Happens Next Is Uncertain

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 7, 2021

One day after the military stormed the president of Guinea’s palace and took him into custody, the coup’s leader ordered ministers from the ousted government not to depart the country and to hand over their official vehicles. The coup began Sunday with reports of heavy gunfire near the presidential palace in Conakry, the country’s capital.…