Andreas Harsono
@andreasharsono.bsky.social
Author, Indonesia, Human Rights Watch, journalism, religious freedom and belief, freedom of expression, West Papua https://www.andreasharsono.net/
The hollowing out of the People’s Liberation Army’s leadership complicates XiJinping’s longstanding ambition to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control, by force if he deems it necessary www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/w...
Xi’s Military Purge May Set Back His Taiwan Ambitions
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:27 AM
The hollowing out of the People’s Liberation Army’s leadership complicates XiJinping’s longstanding ambition to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control, by force if he deems it necessary www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/w...
Over the past decade, Chinese companies have been able to adapt to Indonesian developments, including bans on the export of nickel ore. They embedded themselves in industrial parks, integrating the entire EV battery supply chain from refining to recycling share.google/qO735cWgWlOD...
China’s investment in Indonesia is its global critical-minerals template | The Strategist
To understand how China will seek to extend its critical-minerals dominance, look at how it has moved into Indonesia’s nickel industry. Over the past decade, Chinese companies, backed by state-owned b...
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January 30, 2026 at 6:05 AM
Over the past decade, Chinese companies have been able to adapt to Indonesian developments, including bans on the export of nickel ore. They embedded themselves in industrial parks, integrating the entire EV battery supply chain from refining to recycling share.google/qO735cWgWlOD...
While the Prabowo Subianto government and its coalition partners in Indonesian parliament have temporarily shelved their plans to abolish direct local elections due to public discontent, this years-long initiative is not dead fulcrum.sg/indonesias-r...
Indonesia’s Regional Elections (Pilkada) as Democracy’s Last Line of Defence | FULCRUM
While the Prabowo Subianto government and its coalition partners in parliament have temporarily shelved their plans to abolish direct local elections due to public discontent, this years-long initi…
fulcrum.sg
January 30, 2026 at 5:40 AM
While the Prabowo Subianto government and its coalition partners in Indonesian parliament have temporarily shelved their plans to abolish direct local elections due to public discontent, this years-long initiative is not dead fulcrum.sg/indonesias-r...
For Venezuela, the U.S. directive means abandoning its closest allies. Iran has helped Venezuela repair oil refineries while China has taken oil as repayment for debt. Russia has supplied weaponry, including missiles, to Venezuela's military share.google/XIKqj0ooXM7m...
Exclusive: US intelligence raises doubts about Venezuela leader's cooperation
Intelligence reports said it was not clear if interim President Delcy Rodriguez is fully on board with U.S. strategy.
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January 29, 2026 at 11:07 AM
For Venezuela, the U.S. directive means abandoning its closest allies. Iran has helped Venezuela repair oil refineries while China has taken oil as repayment for debt. Russia has supplied weaponry, including missiles, to Venezuela's military share.google/XIKqj0ooXM7m...
American singer Bruce Springsteen releases ‘Streets of Minneapolis,’ a song protesting ICE. The lyrics criticize "King Trump" and include references to Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were fatally shot by federal agents this month in Minneapolis www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/a...
Springsteen Releases ‘Streets of Minneapolis,’ a Song Protesting ICE
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:24 AM
American singer Bruce Springsteen releases ‘Streets of Minneapolis,’ a song protesting ICE. The lyrics criticize "King Trump" and include references to Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were fatally shot by federal agents this month in Minneapolis www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/a...
Here’s bad news for Iranian dissidents protesting the 39-year rule of cleric Ali Hosseini Khamene; if they’re hoping for support from the UN Human Rights Council best get the update. It’s now led by Indonesia johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
Irony abounds: Indonesia gets human rights protection job
Indonesia has assumed the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council, raising questions about credibility, consistency and the future of scrutiny in places like West Papua and Iran.
johnmenadue.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Here’s bad news for Iranian dissidents protesting the 39-year rule of cleric Ali Hosseini Khamene; if they’re hoping for support from the UN Human Rights Council best get the update. It’s now led by Indonesia johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
A federal judge in Manhattan sentenced a man to 15 years in prison for his role in a plot to kill Majid Alinejad, an Iranian dissident in 2024, another case in which the Iranian government’s global campaign to silence opponents has extended to the U.S. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/n...
Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Role in Plot to Kill Iranian Dissident
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:10 AM
A federal judge in Manhattan sentenced a man to 15 years in prison for his role in a plot to kill Majid Alinejad, an Iranian dissident in 2024, another case in which the Iranian government’s global campaign to silence opponents has extended to the U.S. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/n...
Keith Starmer, the first British leader to visit China since Theresa May in 2018, has sought to re-engage with Beijing in the hopes of reviving Britain’s lagging economy. He traveled with a large business delegation www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/w...
In Beijing, British Prime Minister Sees ‘Huge Opportunities’
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Keith Starmer, the first British leader to visit China since Theresa May in 2018, has sought to re-engage with Beijing in the hopes of reviving Britain’s lagging economy. He traveled with a large business delegation www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/w...
A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon-hee to 1 year and 8 months in prison for corruption. The court acquitted her on other charges. Her husband Yoon Suk-yeol was also jailed for five years youtu.be/-D_KFqRXNUM?...
South Korea’s ex-first lady jailed for corruption
YouTube video by South China Morning Post
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 10:39 AM
A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon-hee to 1 year and 8 months in prison for corruption. The court acquitted her on other charges. Her husband Yoon Suk-yeol was also jailed for five years youtu.be/-D_KFqRXNUM?...
In November 2025, a cyclone unleashed days of extreme rainfall across three provinces on Sumatra Island. At least 1,100 people were killed, tens of thousands of houses destroyed. Intense deforestation, poverty, budget cuts make communities vulnerable www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kCm...
Indonesia’s Flood Catastrophe | The Full Report
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:37 AM
In November 2025, a cyclone unleashed days of extreme rainfall across three provinces on Sumatra Island. At least 1,100 people were killed, tens of thousands of houses destroyed. Intense deforestation, poverty, budget cuts make communities vulnerable www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kCm...
The number of Russian and Ukrainian troops killed, wounded or missing during nearly four years of war is on track to reach two million by this spring, according to a study published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
Troop Casualties in Ukraine War Near 2 Million, Study Finds
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:36 AM
The number of Russian and Ukrainian troops killed, wounded or missing during nearly four years of war is on track to reach two million by this spring, according to a study published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
Multiple boat arrivals since have highlighted how porous Australia's northern border could be. "We're the only border of this country to another sovereign nation. We're the only border that's 40,000 miles of sea country, and it's quite porous." share.google/Roxekh60l1Ba...
Foreign fishermen walk into Qld resort bar asking for refreshments
CCTV captures foreign fishermen landing on a Far North Queensland island resort and asking the bar for refreshments, before their boat is intercepted by the border force.
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January 27, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Multiple boat arrivals since have highlighted how porous Australia's northern border could be. "We're the only border of this country to another sovereign nation. We're the only border that's 40,000 miles of sea country, and it's quite porous." share.google/Roxekh60l1Ba...
Judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to attend pre-trial proceedings for alleged crimes against humanity on 23 February share.google/pwzwJcCiDkDD...
Rodrigo Duterte: Philippines former president fit for trial, ICC says
The 80-year-old is accused of crimes of humanity over his bloody war on drugs that left thousands killed.
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January 27, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is fit to attend pre-trial proceedings for alleged crimes against humanity on 23 February share.google/pwzwJcCiDkDD...
Indonesia's Danantara to manage land seized from 28 firms linked to Sumatra floods, official says share.google/atcA9DX7sKOm...
Indonesia's Danantara to manage land seized from 28 firms linked to Sumatra floods, official says
Sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia will take over land seized from 28 firms linked to floods and landslides in Sumatra, a spokesperson for the country's forestry task force told reporters on Tu...
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January 27, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Indonesia's Danantara to manage land seized from 28 firms linked to Sumatra floods, official says share.google/atcA9DX7sKOm...
Afghanistan’s Jihad Museum, featuring exhibits about the victory of Afghan fighters over occupying forces from the former Soviet Union, has been revamped since the Taliban returned to power. The faces of human figures in display have been made blank www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCAS...
Resistance museum changes under Taliban rule
YouTube video by South China Morning Post
www.youtube.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Afghanistan’s Jihad Museum, featuring exhibits about the victory of Afghan fighters over occupying forces from the former Soviet Union, has been revamped since the Taliban returned to power. The faces of human figures in display have been made blank www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCAS...
The Arctic is of huge strategic importance militarily and represents an emerging trade route between Asia and the west to rival the Suez canal. Vladimir Putin of Russia is closer than any of his predecessors to gaining control of the polar region www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZOW...
How Putin's Russia is taking control of the Arctic | It's Complicated
YouTube video by The Guardian
www.youtube.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:35 AM
The Arctic is of huge strategic importance militarily and represents an emerging trade route between Asia and the west to rival the Suez canal. Vladimir Putin of Russia is closer than any of his predecessors to gaining control of the polar region www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZOW...
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Salopek has spent 13 years walking across four continents, covering more than 38,000 kilometers. Salopek describes the experience as "slow journalism" www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Ey...
He’s Spent the Last 13 Years Walking the Globe - Here’s What He’s Learned | Amanpour and Company
YouTube video by Amanpour and Company
www.youtube.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Salopek has spent 13 years walking across four continents, covering more than 38,000 kilometers. Salopek describes the experience as "slow journalism" www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Ey...
“If anyone thinks here again that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the U.S., keep on dreaming,” Mark Rutte of NATO told members of the European Parliament in Brussels.
“You can’t. We can’t. We need each other.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/w...
“You can’t. We can’t. We need each other.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/w...
January 27, 2026 at 4:10 AM
“If anyone thinks here again that the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the U.S., keep on dreaming,” Mark Rutte of NATO told members of the European Parliament in Brussels.
“You can’t. We can’t. We need each other.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/w...
“You can’t. We can’t. We need each other.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/w...
Indonesian civil groups have slammed a suggestion by the deputy rights minister to do away with foreign intervention by having NGOs get state funding, amid the government’s plan to codify anti-foreign propaganda drives www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/20...
January 27, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Indonesian civil groups have slammed a suggestion by the deputy rights minister to do away with foreign intervention by having NGOs get state funding, amid the government’s plan to codify anti-foreign propaganda drives www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/20...
A combat veteran, Zhang Youxia was once seen as the most trusted man in Xi Jinping’s military. Now he is the most public example of disloyalty to Xi www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/w...
January 26, 2026 at 12:35 PM
A combat veteran, Zhang Youxia was once seen as the most trusted man in Xi Jinping’s military. Now he is the most public example of disloyalty to Xi www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/w...
At least 89 cases of violence against journalists were recorded throughout 2025, including 30 physical assaults and 29 digital attacks, according to a journalist union. Other cases included coverage bans, forced data deletion, lawsuits and censorship www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/20...
January 26, 2026 at 2:28 AM
At least 89 cases of violence against journalists were recorded throughout 2025, including 30 physical assaults and 29 digital attacks, according to a journalist union. Other cases included coverage bans, forced data deletion, lawsuits and censorship www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/20...
For the first time, the next echelon of Vietnam’s top leaders have not been marked by the experience of the Vietnam War. They have to prove that they would be able to govern and produce the needed outcomes fulcrum.sg/vietnams-pos...
Vietnam’s Post-War Generation Takes the Helm | FULCRUM
For the first time, the next echelon of Vietnam’s top leaders have not been marked by the experience of the Vietnam War. They have to prove that they would be able to govern and produce the needed …
fulcrum.sg
January 26, 2026 at 1:07 AM
For the first time, the next echelon of Vietnam’s top leaders have not been marked by the experience of the Vietnam War. They have to prove that they would be able to govern and produce the needed outcomes fulcrum.sg/vietnams-pos...
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was shot and killed by immigration agents on a Minneapolis street. He's a nurse and wanted to be a ‘force of good in the world’ www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
Alex Jeffrey Pretti Knew He Wanted to Help Others
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was shot and killed by immigration agents on a Minneapolis street. He's a nurse and wanted to be a ‘force of good in the world’ www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/u...
Morris Katz’s 24/7 shaping of Zohran Mamdani’s message across a daunting array of media — from cable news to TikTok — suggests a thoroughly modern strategist, equally at home making a 30-second ad as he is brainstorming social media stunts www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/s...
He’s 26 and Ready to Fix the Democrats’ Strategy
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Morris Katz’s 24/7 shaping of Zohran Mamdani’s message across a daunting array of media — from cable news to TikTok — suggests a thoroughly modern strategist, equally at home making a 30-second ad as he is brainstorming social media stunts www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/s...
Pakistan's military launched an operation against the Pakistani Taliban in the Tira Valley bordering Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee under harsh winter conditions with snow and freezing temperatures youtu.be/-jyep4Yy-8w?...
Pakistan army orders Tirah valley evacuation ahead of military offensive on armed groups
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
youtu.be
January 25, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Pakistan's military launched an operation against the Pakistani Taliban in the Tira Valley bordering Afghanistan. Tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee under harsh winter conditions with snow and freezing temperatures youtu.be/-jyep4Yy-8w?...