Your Monday Briefing: The Aftermath of a Russian Revolt

Disaster abates in Russia

The day after an armed rise up by Wagner mercenaries towards Vladimir Putin’s authorities was defused on the final minute, neither Putin nor the mercenary chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, made a public look, including to the sense of uncertainty and confusion pervading Russia. The swirl of occasions over the previous few days has left questions on Putin’s authority and the way forward for the struggle in Ukraine.

The armed rebellion, which Prigozhin led, known as into query Russia’s justifications for its struggle in Ukraine and the competency of its army management. Wagner forces marched towards Moscow with the intention of difficult Russia’s army management, and whereas they took management of a midsize Russian metropolis, Rostov-on-Don, they failed to collect a lot public assist.

By Saturday evening, Aleksandr Lukashenko, the chief of Belarus, had stepped in and organized for Prigozhin to go to Belarus and keep away from felony fees, and for the Wagner fighters to keep away from repercussions.

Response: Residents cheered and embraced the mercenaries as they left Rostov-on-Don on Saturday. My colleague Roger Cohen writes that Prigozhin’s description of his actions as a “march for justice” could have resonated with some, maybe many, Russians.

Is China offering deadly help to Russia?

Beforehand unreported shipments between a state-owned Chinese language firm and a Russian munitions manufacturing facility are elevating new questions about Beijing’s function in Russia’s struggle towards Ukraine.

On two separate events final yr, Poly Applied sciences, a state-owned Chinese language firm, despatched tens of hundreds of kilograms of smokeless powder to an ammunition manufacturing facility in central Russia with a historical past of supplying the Russian authorities. These shipments have been recognized by Import Genius, a U.S.-based commerce knowledge aggregator.

U.S. officers have expressed considerations that China might funnel merchandise to Russia that will assist in its struggle effort — what is called “deadly help” — although they haven’t mentioned outright that China has made such shipments.

Takeaway: There is no such thing as a recognized direct hyperlink between the shipments of smokeless powder and the Ukrainian battlefield, however some specialists mentioned the shipments constituted deadly help.

Context: China has remained formally unaligned within the struggle. In observe, nonetheless, it has develop into an necessary companion for Russia, after proclaiming a “no limits” partnership early final yr.

Taiwan’s #MeToo Wave

A flood of accusations of sexual harassment and assault has reached the very prime of Taiwan’s political institution, prompting a reckoning with ladies’s rights on the democratic island — one in every of Asia’s most progressive locations. Almost day by day, contemporary allegations emerge, setting off discussions on speak exhibits and social media.

Senior celebration and authorities officers in President Tsai Ing-wen’s governing Democratic Progressive Get together have been among the many first accused, forcing her to apologize for her celebration’s mishandling of inside complaints. The scandal is complicating the celebration’s file as a champion of liberal values and poses a threat to its credibility with youthful voters forward of an election subsequent yr.

Catalyst: The outpouring of complaints was set off by a well-liked Netflix political drama, “Wave Makers.” The present incorporates a subplot about sexual harassment in a Taiwanese political celebration, and one character’s response — “Let’s not simply let this go this time” — has develop into a rallying cry on-line.

Context: Taiwan stands out for the numerous strides that girls have made, however the flood of sexual harassment accusations factors to what students say is entrenched sexism and a tradition that’s fast in charge victims.

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Asia Pacific

The Shikoku pilgrimage in Japan

On Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s 4 principal islands, a 750-mile route hyperlinks 88 Buddhist temples that declare a connection to Kukai, the celebrated monk who based one of many main faculties of Buddhism in Japan.

Up to now, the route was traveled nearly solely by Buddhist pilgrims, however the trek has grown to incorporate younger folks on journeys of self-discovery, older hikers having fun with their retirement and even overseas guests. Our author additionally discovered a outstanding custom of generosity. The folks of Shikoku observe osettai, the act of giving items to pilgrims, which may come within the type of a trinket, a meal, a automotive trip or perhaps a place to sleep.

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