The Economist Asia

The government’s digital-first solutions are inaccessible to millions

Sara Duterte, mayor of Davao City, has so far shown reluctance to run for president

The ruling Rajapaksas have strong ideas and expect everyone to adopt them

Lee Jae-myung, its candidate for president, presents himself as a man of the people

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov wins elections with 98% of the vote and ruthlessly suppresses dissent

He sold vital blueprints to Iran, North Korea and—a step too far—Libya

Yet its theme of social injustice is a globally appealing one

Militias and gangs terrorise the residents and wage war against each other

Despite the risks, they are right to do so

The victory of its friends in the Taliban may exacerbate Pakistan’s economic and diplomatic problems

Ideological differences and bored fighters are creating headaches for its leaders

Diplomats remain loyal to an old regime that barely exists

Targets include vocal critics of the state but also those who make it look bad

The incoming prime minister is an uncontroversial choice

Asian and other developing countries owe more money than they might think

The country’s many wars are becoming enmeshed

The ruling party’s leadership contest may matter more than the next national election

Canny companies are creating capacity for couples to canoodle in a conservative country

The ruling party wants to make it easier for people to sue the media for “emotional distress”

The Philippines’ president and his killer cops are beyond the reach of the law—for now