Asia

In the turbulent theater of global geopolitics, Kazakhstan – sandwiched between two major regional powers, Russia and China – occupies a unique yet precarious position.

“With President Trump in the Oval Office, Taiwan must justify continued American support by implementing large-scale and painstaking military reforms to show how seriously it takes its own defense,” writes Naveen Krishnan (HKS MPP 2026). “Large-scale reforms will align with Trump’s focus on allies becoming more self-reliant and deserving of US sacrifice.”

“Unlike political agreements often marked by contention and short-term interests, education and research transcend borders, driven by collaboration and a shared pursuit of progress. By viewing education exchanges as strategic platforms for cultivating long-term relationships and mutual respect, the U.S. and China can foster cooperation and build deeper, more enduring bonds of trust.”

“What troubles me most, as a citizen of Bangladesh, is that the current socio-political situation is partly fueled by how the country is being governed at present. After the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, through a student-led mass movement that ended the Awami League’s 15 years of increasingly authoritarian rule, the situation in Bangladesh is characterized by mob justice.”

Harvard Medical and Business School student Azeb Yirga interviews Sumrana Yasmin, Deputy Director of Eye Health for Sightsavers, about advancing inclusive eye care policies in Pakistan.

On April 23, 2024, HKS Student Policy Review Senior Editor John McQuillan spoke with former Indonesian Minister of Trade Gita Wirjawan. The conversation focused on a range of topics related to the future of Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

The economic diversification goals of the Arab Gulf, combined with the high potential for renewable energy development in Central Asia, have led two regions that have been closely associated with fossil fuel extraction to collaborate on the advancement of renewable energy production.

One model to provide sanitation in India’s slums is Suvidha (‘convenience’ in Hindi) centers: modern and large community water and sanitation complexes. The centers provide an important service to the community, provide employment, build capacity among workers and are financially sustainable.

On March 27, 2024, HKS Student Policy Review Senior Editor Ala’a Kolkaila spoke with Omar Razzaz, former Prime Minister of Jordan, about a range of topics affecting Jordan and the region.

With evolving workforce demands, the expectations from India’s education systems have expanded beyond achieving universal enrollment and basic literacy and numeracy. It now needs to equip students with 21st-century skills.

On February 28, 2024, HKS Student Policy Review Senior Editor Nikolas Neos spoke with Niall Ferguson, the Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, about U.S.-China relations.

Women in high-level positions can offer unique perspectives based on their diverse experiences. A more diverse Foreign Service that reflects Kazakhstan will result in enhanced policymaking, reporting, and analysis.