In this issue of ASIAN Geographic, we look at the politics of Asia – the controversies, the complex histories, and the ideologies of countries, past and present. Politically, contemporary Asia is something of a crucible. We have mapped out the political systems of Asian countries, examining the political balance of countries in a series of infographics. We look at the destabilisation of the current unilateral world order, particularly with the rise of China, as well as the troubled transition to democracy in Myanmar. We also visit Cambodia, where a special task force of rats is sniffing out landmines. Our cover story features a series of interviews with dissenting artists who are challenging the political status quo, fuelling intellectual debate in political cultures that look to subdue them – often at great personal cost.

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