David Armstrong
David Armstrong is the Editor-in-Chief of Pearls and Irritations. David is one of Australia’s best respected reporters, editors and media executives, with more than five decades of experience in Australia and Asia. A contributor for more than 10 years, David writes a regular column on Asian media.
David's articles (127 total)
Anti-Modi protesters join forces, Japan leads ICC defence, toxic wildfire haze returns – Asian Media Report
Rahul Gandhi backs ‘Cockroach’ demonstrations, Trump’s world court attack seen as illegal, AI producing have and have-not countries, and China’s unique ancient art replica.
New India-US clash, why Xi mentions the war, China’s marriage revolution – Asian Media Report
India is speaking more openly against Washington as the US and China settle into an enduring rivalry. Elsewhere, Thailand reels from deadly floods and Malaysia presses ahead with Myanmar deportations.
Free in two senses – keeping P&I independent
Pearls and Irritations depends on its readers to remain free and independent. David Armstrong explains why their support is vital as P&I reaches a growing audience seeking progressive perspectives.
Flood disaster ‘bound to happen’, the ‘aging, raging’ president, and China’s business drinking culture – Asian Media Report
Nepal devastation the worst in its history. Plus: unusual response as Trump curries favour with Kim, Myanmar militias entrench cyberscam operations, China breaking Asia's 'flying geese' industrial model; region seeks open-road AI pathway; and why women are forced to drink.
Muslim defence pact, China-Indonesia naval drill, and giant reformer’s death – Asian Media Report
Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s new defence pact could reshape West Asian security, while China and Indonesia plan naval drills east of Taiwan. Also: Thailand’s welcome for Myanmar’s leader, Zhu Rongji’s legacy, the weak yen and India’s TV credibility crisis.
Instagram generation’s win, Japan’s security drive, and Albo’s undiplomatic insult – Asian Media Report
India’s Gen Z social mobility crisis, Tokyo’s new foreign intelligence agency, Chinese chip company’s blockbuster IPO, regional nations’ evolving security co-operation, central banker’s sudden resignation, and the PM’s melon-headed mockery.
New ‘G Minus 2’ order, Trump red-line test, and sea’s real battles – Asian Media Report
Nations’ new ways of working together, Xi’s nuclear deterrent display, scandal probe’s link to scandal probe, South China Sea’s geopolitical reality, Korean company’s record market listing, and the region’s shadow baby trade.
Indo-Pacific uncertainty, Indian temple funds scandal, and a huge AI gamble – Asian Media Report
US regional strategy questions, donations-theft investigation, massive expansion of chip plants, Pakistan military’s changed political fortunes, China’s new education blueprint, and the world’s rarest apes’ extinction threat.
Super El Niño threat, nuclear dead letter, and Beijing’s hunky-male theatre – Asian Media Report
Blistering heat and poor rains warning, Xi’s acceptance of North Korean nukes, the Pope’s Pyongyang visit plan, military crowd control in Jakarta protests, India’s recognition of women’s unpaid work, and China’s new ‘she economy’.
Seoul’s nuclear push, Toyota’s #2 status, India’s ‘cockroach’ politics – Asian Media Report
Korea’s threshold weapons-power talks, Softbank’s rise to Japan’s top spot, Gen Z’s youth slur revolt, Tokyo’s plan to shape regional power balance, China’s chip-making sanctions work-around and East Asia’s super-aged societies.
New China-US rules, region’s Taiwan anxiety, Sri Lankan scam hub – Asian Media Report
Xi’s latest terms for the American relationship, Trump’s post-summit verbal meandering, cybercrime operations’ new base, the west’s dominance is an historical ‘aberration’, and the Modi government’s all-veg banquets.
Modi’s power grip, Japan’s regional pitch, Suu Kyi’s house arrest – Asian Media Report
BJP’s historic state dominance, Takaichi’s ‘proactive’ Indo-Pacific role, AI’s emerging role in diplomacy, Pyongyang’s ‘normal nation’ push, Myanmar’s change without change, Taiwan’s national happiness win.
Japan’s arms sales, fatal law, and the K-pop community – Asian Media Report
Tokyo’s new weapons export rules, the never-ending China-Japan rift, Thucydides Trap’s historical flaw, Global South’s central ceasefire role, Asian fossil-fuels fall, and BTS manager’s arrest warrant.
War talks, danger for peacekeepers, and the ‘great insulation’ – Asian Media Report
Iran prefers Vance as lead negotiator, Indonesia’s Lebanon Blue Helmets ‘targeted’, developing countries seek superpower autonomy, Japanese troops join Philippines’ exercises, power centralised in Vietnam, and alarming loss of forest cover.
Trump’s new tariff war, America’s waning status in Asia, and mixed reviews for BTS – Asian Media Report
The legal fiction behind America’s trade attack, Asia is the main victim of global energy crisis, Pakistan’s ‘indirect talks’ diplomacy, K-pop company’s sagging share-price, Takaichi survives Trump summit, and Cambodia’s push to restore ancient heritage.
China’s tech ambitions, Nepal’s political upheaval and the BTS comeback – Asian Media Report
Five-year-plan stresses AI, Xi-Trump summit still on track, K-pop sensation’s global comeback, landslide win in Nepal elections, security risks self-radicalise online, and Manila drops Nobel laureate charges.
Modi in Israel, Tokyo’s shift on arms, and Duterte at The Hague – Asian Media Report
India and Israel deepen ties, Japan edges towards lethal arms exports, Duterte faces crimes-against-humanity charges, Indonesia weighs its Gaza role, Bangladesh confronts rule-of-law reform, and China’s unofficial K-pop ban shows signs of strain.
Lai sentenced, Beijing doubles down on HK security – Asian Media Report
China’s ‘zero tolerance’ white paper to Takaichi’s all-powerful supermajority, opposite views on India-US trade deal, why BYD is beating Tesla, Cambodia war a key to Thai PM’s victory, and the K-pop path for Bad Bunny – news, opinion and analysis from across our region
An incomparable job, an honoured place as Founder
John Menadue, and the late Susie Menadue, did an incomparable job in conceiving, establishing, growing and nurturing Pearls and Irritations as a brave and independent alternative to the conformity of Australia’s legacy media.
Historic trade deal rejects Trump’s chaotic protectionism – Asian Media Report
The mother of all trade deals to America’s new defence strategy, the dismissal of a PLA princeling, Prabowo’s Peace Board support, ASEAN’s rejection of Myanmar junta’s poll victory and the deadly serious business of marriage in China – we present the latest news and views from our region.
Best of 2025 - US-China power shift: a G2 world – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Trump hints at changing great-power relationship. Plus: Beijing wresting control of the global narrative; Myanmar’s scam centre raids dismissed as a smokescreen; Prabowo considers declaring Soeharto a national hero; US approves South Korean nuclear-powered submarine; China’s modern women need new men.
Best of 2025 - Modi cancels ASEAN trip, avoids meeting Trump – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Trump says he spoke to Modi but India denies call took place. Plus: Japan’s new coalition a shift to the right; Timor Leste finally gets seat at regional table; Life worse than death on Myanmar scam farm; Prabowo – control, populism and diminished accountability; Sri Lanka suffers from world’s worst plastics spill.
Best of 2025 - Why key leaders attended China’s military parade – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Nations “must adapt” to new power politics. Plus: Raid “will hurt” South Korea’s US investments; Trump’s strategic shift towards Pakistan; What’s next after Nepal’s 8 September massacre; Thailand gets its first minority government; Why India has the world’s biggest diaspora.
Best of 2025 - Furious Modi rejects Trump’s phone calls – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: India turns its attention to Japan and China. Plus: Trump wants US to own land used for bases in Korea; Despair turning young refugees to armed insurrection; Beijing pushing AI as next growth-engine; Manila ramps up its anti-China stance; The wounds that time cannot heal.
Beijing makes domestic spending its top priority – Asian Media Report
From China’s new investing in people strategy to Thailand’s threat to continue border fighting, revelations about Korea’s martial law bid, South Asia’s climate emergencies, the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh, and Seoul’s imaginative food waste scheme, the latest Asian media coverage highlights our region’s pressures, problems and opportunities.
Hong Kong high-rise renovations a murky, greedy industry – Asian Media Report
From Hong Kong’s deadly tower fire and surging renovation graft, to climate-fuelled floods across Asia, record weapons sales, a massive Korean data breach and collapsing Chinese tourism in Japan, this week’s Asian media coverage reveals the region’s mounting pressures and political tensions.
US wants Seoul’s subs to counter China – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Washington sees global role for South Korean navy; the military cements government control in Pakistan; Palestine is an obstacle to Trump’s new Middle East plan; Japan prepares for drawn-out dispute with China; why South Korea is turning its back on coal power; and boot camps for beauty queens.
US-China power shift: a G2 world – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Trump hints at changing great-power relationship. Plus: Beijing wresting control of the global narrative; Myanmar’s scam centre raids dismissed as a smokescreen; Prabowo considers declaring Soeharto a national hero; US approves South Korean nuclear-powered submarine; China’s modern women need new men.
Modi cancels ASEAN trip, avoids meeting Trump – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Trump says he spoke to Modi but India denies call took place. Plus: Japan’s new coalition a shift to the right; Timor Leste finally gets seat at regional table; Life worse than death on Myanmar scam farm; Prabowo – control, populism and diminished accountability; Sri Lanka suffers from world’s worst plastics spill.
Price rally fuels surge in Southeast Asia gold businesses – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Beijing in 11-month gold-buying streak. Plus: Takaichi the most conservative leadership choice; US looks to delegate Taiwan defence; Prabowo holds massive military parade; South Korea’s Lee challenges US wartime control; China’s harsh times feed a spiritual economy.
US a partner not an enemy, China says – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Writer warns of US-China collusion nightmare. Plus: Trump asks Muslim bloc to back Gaza peace plan; Big US visa fee another blow to Modi; Cambodia’s decline under dictator Hun Manet; Progressive, conservative clash in Japan’s leadership race.
Why key leaders attended China’s military parade – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Nations “must adapt” to new power politics. Plus: Raid “will hurt” South Korea’s US investments; Trump’s strategic shift towards Pakistan; What’s next after Nepal’s 8 September massacre; Thailand gets its first minority government; Why India has the world’s biggest diaspora.
Furious Modi rejects Trump’s phone calls – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: India turns its attention to Japan and China. Plus: Trump wants US to own land used for bases in Korea; Despair turning young refugees to armed insurrection; Beijing pushing AI as next growth-engine; Manila ramps up its anti-China stance; The wounds that time cannot heal.
Why Trump lashes India but holds back on China – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: US hopes Beijing might lean on Putin. Plus: Work starts on Xi-Trump summit in China; Former first lady jailed on gifts-for-influence charges; Japan looks to become regional weapons supplier; Indonesia deploys ballistic missile system; Hong Kong “suffering climate whiplash”.
Trump trashes India, boosts Pakistan over oil – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: India and Russian are “dead economies”. Plus: Border clash ceasefire a test for ASEAN; Populist Right rising in Japan; Jakarta wants all nations to follow France’s Palestine lead; Pyongyang “not interested” in easing tensions; Kashmir pilgrimage a “river of humanity”
Trump makes tariffs example of Korea, Japan – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: No trade deal exceptions for US allies. Plus: An expert in a government of flunkies; Sex-scandal monks had lives of status and privilege; Corruption stymies Myanmar earthquake recovery; Anwar’s leadership glow starting to fade; 'Comrade' is out-of-fashion in Communist China.
Trump tariff deals with Japan, India bogged down – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Trade pact sealed with Vietnam. Plus: Dalai Lama at 90 – the institution will continue; Region’s newspapers show disdain for NATO; China, Pakistan setting up new South Asian bloc; Canberra, Beijing squabble over project naming rights.
Thai Government in turmoil over embarrassing call – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Party quits Thailand’s governing coalition. Plus: Cambodia named a global cyberscam hub; Japanese PM empty-handed after Trump meeting; US tariff regime a critical test for ASEAN; New efforts to ease two-Koreas tensions; Indonesia revises history of anti-Chinese riots.
India, Pakistan trade threats after Kashmir massacre – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Pakistan fears attack, India threatens crushing blow. Plus: China passes its first private-sector law; Trump needs a quick trade deal with Japan; Tariff plan: US wants to reset world monetary order; Singapore blocks foreign election posts; Bandung – when former colonies found a collective voice.
Asia battered by Trump’s harsh tariffs – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: “Reciprocal” tariffs savage poor nations. Plus: Auto levies hand “keys to the future” to China; Myanmar military declares ceasefire but continues fighting; Black carbon pollution a threat to glaciers; US, India in nuclear power deal; Bitter times for Darjeeling tea industry.
In Myanmar, tragedy follows tragedy
When the earthquake struck on Friday, I was at lunch in Bangkok with a group of journalists. The tables and chairs started shaking and the more senior among us at first thought we were having a bad dizzy spell.
Beijing gambles on plan to boost people’s spending – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: AI, green appliances to lead shift to consumption economy. Plus: Myanmar resistance rewrites rules of insurgency; Trump closes agencies that cover China, Cambodia abuses; Widowo works on extending his influence; Japanese PM’s popularity plummets; New church for Phnom Penh 50 years after Pol Pot devastation
China, US a world apart on shaping the future – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Speeches show Li is for continuity, Trump insists on change. Plus: Cambodia worse than Myanmar for online scamdemic; How agents exploit Indians trying for work in America; Brutal competition shapes Fantastic Four tech leaders; Prabowo sets up sovereign wealth fund; Thailand joins Beatles era.
Koreas both fret over Trump-Putin power plays – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Seoul, Pyongyang fear being ignored. Plus: India edges towards closer US connection; Domestic violence surges in South Korea; Beijing brings private sector back into the fold; Military making comeback in Indonesia; Kolkata’s yellow taxis taking last fares.
Thailand pulls the plug on cross-border scams – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Xi thanks Bangkok for strong action against online rackets. Plus: Myanmar civil war is world’s third-worst conflict; Confirmation bias behind markets’ DeepSeek shock; China advances its military technology; Allies must adapt to ‘fundamental’ US changes; Cambodia confirms it is free press desert.
Trump ‘angling for deal’ with Xi – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: President links China to Panama Canal face-off. Plus: Weaknesses in America’s Asian pact latticework; Government, industry behind Tokyo’s RAN frigates bid; Thai support for Myanmar scams points to corruption; Beijing pushes soft power through video games; 57 arrested over Dalit schoolgirl abuse.
US in bipartisan retreat from globalisation – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Biden insults close ally in protecting US interests. Plus: Indonesia becomes full member of BRICS; Myanmar resistance gaining wider control; Survival now Pentagon’s Pacific strategy; Yoon hiding behind barricade of buses and barbed wire; Jakarta launches free meals program.
Forty years on, no justice for Bhopal victims – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Disaster survivor says she wishes she had died. Plus: Macabre dispute over Pakistan protest deaths; Trump’s new term, crisis time for AUKUS: Martial law becomes South Korea’s democratic moment; Fentanyl America’s problem, says Beijing; Women’s freedom means no going back on population decline
Xi warns Trump: Don’t test our red lines – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: ‘Seven pillars of wisdom’ on US-China links. Plus: India’s selfishness-is-good ideology; Marles locking in US-Japan defence ties; Non-aligned Indonesia’s balancing act; ‘Tsunami of change’ in Sri Lanka election; Lonely hearts kindle companionship economy.
Trump’s election triggers anxiety – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: World must brace ‘for extreme chaos’. Plus: Beijing pivots towards military junta; Yoon now engulfed in political strife; Haggling intensifies to decide on Japan’s leader; Indonesia’s debate over joining BRICS; Anwar Ibrahim always one of the elite.