Royal Society for Asian Affairs

Royal Society for Asian Affairs Advancing knowledge of Asia

Did you know that nine back issues of Caravanserai, the RSAA’s supporters’ magazine, are now available in both print and...
25/06/2026

Did you know that nine back issues of Caravanserai, the RSAA’s supporters’ magazine, are now available in both print and digital formats (while stocks last)?

Each issue features Society news, event reports, and richly illustrated articles exploring a wide range of themes, including architecture, languages and scripts, women, sport, rivers, festivals, animals, and more.

Our latest available issue examines how economic transformation, technological change, and strategic competition are reshaping Asia, highlighting developments whose impact extends far beyond the region.

Back issues become available two months after publication. While Caravanserai is free of charge, donations towards production costs are always appreciated.

Explore the collection and order your copies through our website. Link in comments.

Catch up on yesterday's online event with photojournalist Claire Thomas Photography, who discusses her new book ALTAI: H...
19/06/2026

Catch up on yesterday's online event with photojournalist Claire Thomas Photography, who discusses her new book ALTAI: Hunters and Herders of Mongolia, recently published by Hemeria. The presentation takes us into the highlands, homes, and hearts of ethnic Kazakh herders. Link in the comments.

Once celebrated as Central Asia's democratic oasis, Kyrgyzstan is now experiencing its most severe crackdown on independ...
19/06/2026

Once celebrated as Central Asia's democratic oasis, Kyrgyzstan is now experiencing its most severe crackdown on independent journalism since independence. Our latest blog traces the erosion of media freedom, the criminalisation of investigative reporting, and the growing gap between democratic aspirations and political reality. Link in the comments.

From medieval diplomacy in the court of Tamerlane to high-stakes climate negotiations in modern Samarkand, Uzbekistan is...
17/06/2026

From medieval diplomacy in the court of Tamerlane to high-stakes climate negotiations in modern Samarkand, Uzbekistan is reasserting itself on the world stage. In our latest blog, Sophie Ibbotson explores how a country once defined by the Aral Sea crisis is becoming an influential voice in environmental diplomacy, using international partnerships, soft power, and ambitious climate action to shape regional and global solutions. Link in the comments.

From the frozen roads of Arctic Siberia to the echo chambers of wartime propaganda, a long-distance hike becomes an unin...
12/06/2026

From the frozen roads of Arctic Siberia to the echo chambers of wartime propaganda, a long-distance hike becomes an unintended journey into the psychological landscape of a country at war. In our latest blog, Charlie Walker Explore reflects on his 600-mile trek across Yakutia after the invasion of Ukraine, and what he learned about isolation, uncertainty, and belief in a tightly controlled information space. Link in the comments.

Treaty ports, revolutionary politics, gangland intrigue, and economic transformation have all shaped Shanghai into the c...
05/06/2026

Treaty ports, revolutionary politics, gangland intrigue, and economic transformation have all shaped Shanghai into the city it is today. In our latest blog, Professor Michael Dillon explores Shanghai’s remarkable journey through colonialism, communism, reform, and resurgence, and considers what the city’s future may reveal about the direction of China itself. Link in the comments.

ALTAI: Hunters and Herders of Mongolia - join us for this online talk with British photojournalist Claire Thomas Photogr...
04/06/2026

ALTAI: Hunters and Herders of Mongolia - join us for this online talk with British photojournalist Claire Thomas Photography on 18 June 2026 at 15.00 BST. Recently published by Hemeria, Claire's book invites us into the highlands, homes, and hearts of ethnic Kazakh herders. Find out more and register using the link in the comments.

Catch up on yesterday's fascinating discussion between Sophie Ibbotson and author and journalist Joe Luc Barnes, explori...
03/06/2026

Catch up on yesterday's fascinating discussion between Sophie Ibbotson and author and journalist Joe Luc Barnes, exploring his new book, Farewell to Russia: A Journey Through the Former USSR. Link in the comments.

Martin Purbrick investigates the murky tale of an alleged deal between the British authorities in Hong Kong and triad or...
02/06/2026

Martin Purbrick investigates the murky tale of an alleged deal between the British authorities in Hong Kong and triad organised crime groups during the Japanese invasion in 1941. Link in comments.

Shakar Ibrahim of the University of Sulaimani - زانکۆی سلێمانی and Zhilwan Tahir of IIUM argue that the historic power s...
02/06/2026

Shakar Ibrahim of the University of Sulaimani - زانکۆی سلێمانی and Zhilwan Tahir of IIUM argue that the historic power struggle between different groups in Kirkuk could gradually develop into a more effective political process that encourages collaboration. Link in comments.

Address

Nova North 11 Bressenden Place
City Of Westminster
SW1E5BY

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Royal Society for Asian Affairs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share