Asia & Pacific

Armenia: Small Country, Big History (2024)

A tour through the history of Armenia, a small country which, since independence in 1991, has been caught between difficult neighbours: Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Japan: the Fukushima disaster, a nuclear nightmare (2011)

There has been endless hand-wringing and finger-pointing following the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. But the full effects of the disaster are still shrouded in secrecy.

The Philippines: at the heart of a global conflict (2024)

In the South China Sea, the US and China are fighting for dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. The Philippines finds itself caught in the middle.

Japan’s Yakuza: Inside the syndicate

Anton Kusters, a Belgian photographer, was allowed a rare glimpse inside a Yakuza family in early 2009. He documented the family for two years.

Mongolia: nomads’ ultimate dilemma

As the economy has boomed, a dilemma is imposed; maintain the relationship with nature, or cave in to the force of the economy.

China: a gateway to Europe – the New Silk Road

The "New Silk Road" is an enormous Chinese international development project. It's a trade network that involves Asia, Africa, and Europe.

India: prostitution villages

Our reporters looked around the villages - and found signs of hope: The young generation fights for better education and rights.

Bangladesh: the environmental costs of scrapping ships

An ecological disaster: The ship graveyard of Chittagong in Bangladesh harms both people and the environment.

Pakistan: the struggle to start over after the floods

Muhammad Ayaz used to run a hotel in northwestern Pakistan. Then the Swat River flooded and washed away his village.

Kazakhstan: an oil giant and the energy transition

Kazakhstan is rich with oil, gas and coal but its president has committed the country to a dramatic shift from fossil fuels to green energy.

Singapore: the technological future

With visionary thinkers and innovators as the guides, this episode dives deep into the latest innovations and technology being created.

North Korea: a look inside

This is the story of the twists and turns that drives the race to end 70 years of hostilities, and a historic summit with North Korea and a US president.

Taiwan: will it be at war?

The uneasy status-quo between China and Taiwan, which has existed for seven decades, is looking more fragile than ever. Is war inevitable?

Laos: China’s helping economic hand

It is small, impoverished, and one of few communist states left in Asia. Laos has, in recent years, seen an increase in support from neighboring China.

China: it’s political power and economic prosperity

As China has risen in prosperity, influence and military strength, what are the social, economic and political forces at play?