UofL Center for Asian Democracy

Rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah’s RSP heads for poll landslide in Nepal Shah's party represents a reformist wave reshaping the Himalayan nation's politics since last year’s youth-led uprising.

Update from Nepal: Rapper turned Mayor of Kathmandu set to win a landslide victory in Nepal’s post-revolutionary election. No government has won a majority since the country’s first democratic elections in 1959. Read more here: www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/...

Inside Bangladesh's Post-Revolution Election with David Jackman | Podcast Episode on RSS.com On February 12, Bangladesh went to the polls for the first elections since the country's student-led July 2024 uprising that forced Sheikh Hasina's Awami League from power. The elections were a decisi...

Also, be sure to check out our podcast episode, where Dr. David Jackman details his scholarship on criminal politics in Dhaka. rss.com/podcasts/cad...

Bangladesh 2026 Election Report.pdf | Powered by Box

As we enter the post election period, check out our content covering Bangladesh’s general election below. Our graduate student election report covers context and major themes. louisville.app.box.com/file/2158942...

Inside Bangladesh's Post-Revolution Election with David Jackman | Podcast Episode on RSS.com On February 12, Bangladesh went to the polls for the first elections since the country's student-led July 2024 uprising that forced Sheikh Hasina's Awami League from power. The elections were a decisi...

David Jackman of Oxford University joined the pod to discuss the recent election in Bangladesh, the first election held since the student-led "Monsoon Revolution" overthrew Sheikh Hasina's government in July 2024. Listen now: rss.com/podcasts/cad...

Trump tariffs: What's next for Asia's economies? After the Supreme Court ruling, Trump said he would impose new levies of 15% on goods entering the US.

SCOTUS's ruling against Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs has implications for countries across Asia, including many democratic allies. Uncertain refunds loom as months-long negotiated deals are unsettled. Trump’s new tariff announcements continue the uncertainty. Read more: www.bbc.com/news/article...

Bangladesh election results: Who won, who lost, what’s next? Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Rahman has won a historic majority in the first elections after the 2024 uprising.

🇧🇩 Update: BNP wins landslide victory in first elections since 2024 revolution. The July charter containing 84 reforms to the constitution gains 70% support, while the Gen-Z’s NCP party struggles to build on revolutionary momentum, winning only 6 seats. Read more: www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/...

You are invited to join us for a conversation with Dr. Cesi Cruz of the University of Michigan, centering on efforts to counter political polarization with a focus on her research in the Philippines. Lunch will be provided. Register now! bit.ly/4tA463R

Want more about Thai elections? Listen to our podcast episode with Dr. Janjira Sombatpoonsiri, “Inside the 2023 Thailand General Election". rss.com/podcasts/cad...

Thailand PM Anutin consolidates power with dominating election win "Bhumjaithai's victory today is a victory for all Thais," Anutin said.

Conservative parties notch wins in Japan and Thailand. Japan's LDP expands its majority. Thai PM Anutin used nationalism fueled by Cambodia conflict to consolidate power for his party. Questions face the Thai opposition and the future of the Thaksin dynasty. www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Want to learn more about Japanese elections? Listen to our podcast episode “Inside the LDP's Weak Performance in Japan's Elections” with Prof. Charles McClean here: rss.com/podcasts/cad...

Japan election becomes high-stakes gamble for Takaichi as personal popularity faces tougher opposition Japan’s Feb. 8 election is increasingly seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has tied her political future to the vote.

Update from Japan: Snap elections to take place Feb 8 following parliament dissolution by PM Takaichi. Trying to bolster the LDP’s thin majority since breakup of Komeito coalition, Takaichi is relying on her own popularity in these elections. Read more: www.cnbc.com/2026/01/30/j...

Want to learn more about Chinese politics? Listen to our podcast “Inside China's 2022 Protests” with Dr. Darren Byler here:
rss.com/podcasts/cad...

'Nobody is safe': China's Xi targets his close ally in purge China’s investigation into its top general is taking President Xi Jinping’s years-long corruption purge into his innermost circle, underlining that even close personal ties do not offer protection whe...

Update from China: Xi Jinping targets top officials in military purge. Xi's purges focus on alleged elite corruption, a major source of popular frustration. They also reflect centralization of Xi’s power over the PLA and other potential rivals. Read more: www.reuters.com/world/china/...

Gen Z activists who toppled Nepal's government are frustrated with the leaders they brought to power Frustration and anger are brewing among young protesters in Nepal who helped topple the government. Groups of the mostly leaderless Gen Z protest groups have returned to the streets of the Himalayan n...

Looking ahead: Violence persists as Nepal moves towards a March 5 election. Protesters remain unhappy with the interim government, claiming both persisting corruption and lack of arrests for those responsible for violence against protesters in September. Read more: apnews.com/article/nepa...

Bangladesh needs a democratic reset. Will the election deliver it? In the country’s first electoral test since Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power, a continuing cycle of ‘revenge politics’ and economic instability dampen hopes for democratic reform, writes James Orr.

Looking Ahead: Bangladesh’s election on February 12 grows closer as the transitional government works for a "democratic reset." Stuck between peace keeping and protecting freedoms, the government is facing many challenges during this vital period. Read more: www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

CAD is proud to promote "Lunar New Year at the Speed" by Asia Institute - Crane House & the @speedartmuseum.bsky.social to ring in 2026: the Year of the Horse. Enjoy live performances, craft making, and flavorful foods! We hope to see you there!

Yoon Suk Yeol: S Korea prosecutors seek death penalty over failed insurrection attempt Yoon is accused of leading an insurrection when he tried to impose martial law in 2024.

Looking ahead: ex-Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol continues to stand trial for the failed martial law attempt in December 2024. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for charges of inciting an insurrection, though he denies the charges. Read more here: www.bbc.com/news/article...

You are invited to join us for a conversation with Dr. Diana Kim of Georgetown University, centering on untouchability as a global challenge, focusing on evidence from Korea and across Asia. Lunch will be provided. Register now! us5.list-manage.com/survey?u=d21...

CAD is proud to promote two of our affiliate faculty's recent publications: Dr. Lisa Björkman's "Drama of Democracy" & Dr. Shiping Hua's "The Chinese Dream and Law". Congratulations to Dr. Björkman and Dr. Hua!

We are excited to welcome our new postdoctoral research fellow, Dr. Khasan Redjaboev! He recently received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome to UofL!

Inside the Indonesia Protests with Dr. Alexander Arifianto | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Why have protests provoked a violent reaction from Indonesia's government in the past month, and what does this teach us about the health of democracy in the world's largest Muslim-majority country? P...

As a reminder, Indonesia recently faced protests tied to frustrations with government and cost of living. Listen to our podcast episode with Dr. Alex Arifianto of Nanyang Technological University to learn more: rss.com/podcasts/cad...

At least 1,250 people dead: What caused the devastating Asia floods? Climate advocates say it's time to move to accountability for climate change, as people in Asia are living the evidence.

As floods sweep across South and Southeast Asia, the humanitarian crisis is putting regional governments under pressure. The challenge comes to a region already facing discontent over the uneven and weak quality of governance. Read more here: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...

It was a pleasure to host Dr. Jonathan Corpus Ong of
UMass Amherst for a discussion on counter-disinfo efforts in Asia and the Global South. If you couldn’t make it to the event, you can find a recording of the talk here! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqxv...

For more on Bangladesh politics, revisit our Inside Asia podcast episode on the 2024 election in the country, the last election before the July Revolution unseated Hasina after over 15 years of unbroken rule. rss.com/podcasts/cad...

Bangladesh's ousted PM Hasina sentenced to death for students crackdown The ruling is the most dramatic legal action against a former Bangladeshi leader in decades and comes months ahead of parliamentary elections expected to be held in early February.

Bangladesh Update: Former PM Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death for her government's brutal crackdown on student protests. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry called for her extradition from India, where she has lived since fleeing her country in August 2024. Read more: www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Inside Soviet Legacies in Central Asia with Khasan Redjaboev | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Newly-arrived CAD doctoral fellow Khasan Redjaboev joins the pod to discuss his research on governance in Central Asia, with a special focus on Soviet colonial legacies in the region. What are the pro...

For more context on trends in democratization and political economy in the region, be sure to see our recent podcast with new CAD doc fellow Khasan Redjaboev: rss.com/podcasts/cad...

Why is Trump hosting Central Asia leaders; are Russia, China his targets? US President Donald Trump to meet leaders from five Central Asian countries in Washington for 10th meeting of C5+1.

Donald Trump hosted the C5 + 1 summit in Washington last week, bringing together Central Asian countries. The region, rich in rare minerals, has been the focus of recent global trade negotiations amidst the U.S.-China trade war. Read more here: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11...

Radio Free Asia says halting news operations due to Trump admin cuts Announcing the move, staff at the outlet said 'authoritarian regimes are already celebrating' its potential demise.

As Trump Admin. cuts continue to have effect, Radio Free Asia shuts its doors for the first time in 29 years. USAGM’s elimination through EO in March began the financial hardships for RFA. RFA leaders say, "Authoritarian regimes are already celebrating." Read more: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10...

NEW DATE! Our lecture with Dr. Jonathan Corpus Ong has been rescheduled for next Thursday, November 13th at 1pm.
The event will be held at the same location, Ford Hall 305. A livestream will also be available for those that cannot attend in person. Register now: bit.ly/4nJoiwf

Newly-arrived CAD doctoral fellow Khasan Redjaboev joins the pod to discuss his research on governance in Central Asia, with a special focus on Soviet colonial legacies in the region. Khasan's research brings this diverse region into focus. Stream our newest episode now: rss.com/podcasts/cad...