Internal Affairs

HEADLINES

China is in dire straits, mirroring Japan’s decline into stagnation; but so are all of us…

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | June 1, 2025

Paolo ask, in DPA Chat: “Hey Wyatt, Can we get some more info on the Chinese economic slowdown signs? I wish i could read more about it, but as you said there are zero official sources And I’m South American so i can’t speak Chinese to save my life. My girlfriend is Chinese though, but…

What is Authoritarianism (in practise)?

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | May 19, 2025

In a real authoritarian regime – they would basically force you into (doing) things against your rights or at least it messes you in your head about what is okay or not okay… I would say long time ago, Singapore used to be considered authoritarian (under the premiership of Lee Kuan Yew) For example in…

Ukraine 2000–2022 | How to Destroy a Nation: Part 1

By Carlo Peroni | May 16, 2025

The Russo-Ukrainian War is a unique event in human history.It is the only recorded case of a social, political, and military event that happened without causes.It just appeared out of thin air, like magic. And even if a cause exists, it is entirely the result of a man who woke up one day with the…

Indonesia in the Spotlight: A Surge of Strategic Developments Across Sectors

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | May 16, 2025

Indonesia has been a hive of diplomatic activity, economic progress, and global attention over the past 24 hours, as a wave of news highlights the nation’s growing role on the international stage. From partnerships in green energy and electric vehicles to major geopolitical interactions and domestic development projects, here’s a snapshot of what’s making 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…

DPA:COUNTRY STABILITY INDEX MAP

ARTICLES

[ 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A review of an archived version of the account, which has since been shut down, revealed the username was a pseudonym belonging to Ivan Htet, the 33-year-old son of a leading figure in the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.…

Taliban has captured Panjshir, the final resistance in Afghanistan

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 7, 2021

Despite multiple conflicting reports from both side’s supporters, it is becoming clearer that Panjshir have effectively fallen to the Taliban. Taliban had taken the Panjshir governor house and raised the Taliban flag symbolically. The Taliban showed video of them capturing a few more of the Aghan National Air Force helicopters that had previously fled to…

[ Reuters ] Taliban launch charm offensive with Afghan banks amid funding fears

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 5, 2021

The new, Taliban-appointed head of Afghanistan’s central bank has sought to reassure banks the group wants a fully-functioning financial system, but has so far provided little detail on how it will supply funds to sustain it, said four bankers familiar with the matter. The acting central bank governor, Haji Mohammad Idris, met members of the…

[ AFP ] Malaysia makes ousted PM head of virus-hit country’s recovery body

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 5, 2021

Muhyiddin Yassin fell from power last month after rising anger over his government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. But a cabinet decision has now appointed him as the coronavirus body’s chairman as well as a minister, government chief secretary Mohamad Zuki Ali said. Mohamad said the ex-leader, who ruled for 17 months, would “lead the…

[ New York Post ] I ran Team Trump’s Afghan withdrawal — Biden’s attempt to blame us is just sad

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 5, 2021

I’m intimately familiar with former President Donald Trump’s Afghanistan strategy. In November 2020, I was named chief of staff at the Pentagon, where one of my primary responsibilities was to wind down the forever war in Afghanistan. Trump instructed me to arrange a conditions-based, methodical exit plan that would preserve the national interest. The plan…

Japan PM Yoshihide Suga will not be running for re-election of LDP party leadership

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 3, 2021

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Friday (Sept 3) he will not run for his ruling party’s leadership, effectively ending his tenure and throwing wide open the race for the next premier. The shock decision after just a year in office comes with Mr Suga’s approval ratings at an all-time low over his government’s…

[ Daily Mail ] Pentagon orders ALL active military to get the vaccine as soon as possible: 800,000 service members still haven’t gotten a shot and could face court martial if they don’t

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | September 2, 2021

More than 800,000 service members out of around 1.4 million still need to get their shots, according to Pentagon data Of active duty forces, 68 percent are fully vaccinated and 76 percent have at least one dose The Army has the lowest vaccination rate, where 40% are fully vaccinated and 57% have one dose Kirby…

[ Newlines Mag ] The Taliban’s Struggle to Control Kabul

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 28, 2021

Before formally entering Kabul, the Taliban had already secreted men into the city, where they were biding their time, ready to take over the capital. But the quick collapse of the capital caught even them unprepared. The units assigned to secure the city were still busy clearing the outskirts of the capital and neighboring provinces…

[ TOLO News ] Massoud, Taliban Agree to Not Fight Until Next Round of Talks

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 27, 2021

Supporters of Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the resistance front against the Taliban, and Taliban representatives held their first meeting on Wednesday afternoon in the center of Parwan province to seek an alternative to fighting.   The resistance front delegation was composed of 12 people led by Almas Zahid, a former Mujahideen commander, and the…

[ Politico ] U.S. officials provided Taliban with names of Americans, Afghan allies to evacuate

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 27, 2021

U.S. officials in Kabul gave the Taliban a list of names of American citizens, green card holders and Afghan allies to grant entry into the militant-controlled outer perimeter of the city’s airport, a choice that’s prompted outrage behind the scenes from lawmakers and military officials. The move, detailed to POLITICO by three U.S. and congressional…

[ Gateway Pundit ] US State Department Goes Into Hiding, Cancels Press Briefing After 4 US Marines Killed, 3 Injured in Kabul Blasts

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 27, 2021

The State Department on Thursday canceled its press briefing after 4 US Marines were killed and at least 3 others were injured in the Kabul blasts. There were two explosions reported outside the Kabul Airport on Thursday. The Biden White House has canceled all meetings and press briefings so far. DPA Notes: The lack of…

[ The News Pakistan ] From battlefield to power table: Khalil Haqqani emerges as key player

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 25, 2021

KABUL, Afghanistan: He has a $5 million bounty on his head and a triumphant smile on his face. The head money marked by the US Treasury Department for Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani has lost much of its significance in the fast-changing circumstances of Afghanistan. Khalil, a scion of the feared Haqqani Network, is not an ordinary man…

[ BBC ] Anti-Taliban resistance group says it has thousands of fighters

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 24, 2021

Ali Nazary, head of foreign relations for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF), told the BBC they want to pursue peaceful negotiations. But, he added, “if this fails… then we’re not going to accept any sort of aggression”. Meanwhile, the Taliban say they have surrounded the group’s Panjshir valley stronghold and put them under…

Ismail Sabri’s first statements as PM on twitter after sworn in as Malaysia’s new Prime Minister

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 22, 2021

Ismail Sabri, the new Malaysian Prime Minister thank God, King and MPs for their support and trust – vow to carry out the duty of the office and fulfill the trust in him for the country. Syukur kehadrat Ilahi. Patik menjunjung kasih atas limpah perkenan KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin…

[ UnHerd ] The man who lost Afghanistan

By Wyatt Mingji Lim | August 21, 2021

If there was one family in Afghanistan who incarnated the hopes, illusions and failures of the last two decades there, it was the Ghanis. Ashraf, the father, was the country’s last president. A trained anthropologist, he believed in books, and the power of the ideas within them to move the world. His wife, Rula, a…