From Ukraine to Iran: China, India and the Test for Global South Leadership

By Filippo Fasulo

As a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Global South, long a political label, became a geopolitical actor. China and India, in particular, sought to appeal to this wider constituency of developing countries through markedly different strategies. A second war, centred on Iran, is now testing which approach can hold under pressure.

Beyond Territorial Disputes: Climate Change and Redefining Maritime Governance

By Arisha Parvez, Marjan Begum, and Preeti Chandrakumar Patil

Climate change is transforming the South China Sea into a human security frontier, displacing vulnerable coastal communities and driving irregular maritime movement across borders. ASEAN’s current maritime governance overlooks climate mobility and integrating it into regional rules and institutions is essential to prevent escalating humanitarian crises from devolving into strategic instability.

RCEP 2.0: Why the World’s Largest Trade Deal Needs a Comprehensive Upgrade

By Scarlet Xu Ni

Is the world's largest Free Trade Agreement good enough? This question will define the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)'s first general review in 2027. Since entering into force in 2022, the RCEP has consolidated the web of ASEAN+1 Free Trade Agreements (FTA) into a unified framework and established the first FTA linking China, Japan, and South Korea. In terms of GDP, it is the largest trade agreement in history. Yet, by ambition, it ends up falling short. The upcoming review will determine whether RCEP 1.0 was merely a starting point or a ceiling. With one more year to prepare, members face a choice: pursue comprehensive upgrades, or risk watching RCEP settle into irrelevance as global trade moves beyond it.