Culture
Literature, film, design and the everyday culture of Asian cities from Seoul to Jakarta.
Mahjong's global comeback: a Chinese tradition reshaped by commerce and culture
Mahjong is experiencing a global revival, driven by social media, post-pandemic socializing, and pop culture. The trend raises questions abo
Why the West studies China's power but not its civilization
Chinese language enrollments at US universities fell 14.3% from 2016 to 2021. Without deeper cultural literacy, diplomacy and business risk
Kashmir's poet-saints: a shared spiritual heritage beyond the conflict
Kashmir's rich spiritual heritage, shaped by centuries of Hindu-Muslim exchange, is often overshadowed by geopolitical tensions. The poetry
Iran's 1979 revolution reshapes five lives in Booker-shortlisted novel
The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran, shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize, uses a polyphonic structure to follow five members of o
In Tehran and Online, Iranians Turn to Art and Memes Amid Missile Strikes
Iranians are reclaiming agency through physical presence in public squares, cultural performances, and digital satire. Artists like Mohsen C
Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical on AI and Human Dignity: A Vision for Asia's Digital Future
Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnificent Humanity reframes human dignity for the digital age, drawing on Pico della Mirandola and the School of
Uzbekistan's World Cup Debut Highlights Central Asia's Quiet Transformation
Uzbekistan has become the first Central Asian nation to qualify for the men's World Cup, debuting in the expanded 2026 tournament. The achie
University Project Races to Digitally Preserve China's Dong Minority Heritage
The Dong people, an indigenous group in southwestern China with an oral tradition, are the focus of a university project to digitally record
The 'Wasian' Label: Empowerment or a New Racial Hierarchy?
The term 'Wasian' has gained traction among Gen Z celebrities and social media meetups, but critics argue it centers whiteness. This article
Marjane Satrapi’s ‘Persepolis’: A Personal Lens on Iran’s Foreign Entanglements
Marjane Satrapi’s graphic memoir ‘Persepolis’ uses her own life to illuminate Iran’s fraught history with foreign powers. The book traces Br
When AI Speaks in the Name of God: Faith Chatbots Spread Across Asia
A chatbot from Nigeria's Redeemed Christian Church of God pushes for personal data before offering spiritual advice. Across Asia, similar AI
Zhang Zeduan's Qingming Scroll: A 12th-Century Portrait of Urban Anxiety
Zhang Zeduan's scroll depicts Kaifeng's bustling Bian River, where a near-accident at a bridge exposes the fragility of a medieval metropoli