Singaporeans reacted with barely concealed glee, while Hongkongers seemed resigned – differing responses that offer a window into residents’ thoughts, writes Donald Low.

The Singapore government made three important mistakes in its Covid-19 response, and attributing blame correctly will inform future decisions.

Lockdowns and shutdowns imposed to deal with the pandemic have taken a huge toll on every major economy – and exiting them provides an opportunity to rethink our overly networked world.

Measures taken to stem the outbreak’s spread, though effective in the short term, may lead to disastrous consequences, say Xun Wu and Donald Low.

Comparisons to Sars are understandable, as is the public’s reaction to the outbreak, but fear and containment cannot work in the long run, says Donald Low.

From Japan’s burst bubble to Thailand’s battered baht, past attempts at financial liberalisation by Asian economies highlight the pitfalls ahead for Beijing.

Crises are an invaluable opportunity to remake organisational habits that are no longer fit for purpose, and the current situation in Hong Kong is a chance to embark on socioeconomic policy and institutional reforms, writes Donald Low

From confirmation bias to risk aversion, behavioural science principles shed light on Hongkongers’ reactions to the controversial extradition law.

Neither needs the money; both need to address rising inequality

Critics see vaping as a gateway drug, but they forget this gate swings both ways. For many smokers, it is a stepping stone to kicking their addiction

Free trade, the rule of law, a functioning civil service … Singapore owes much to the legacy of British colonialism. Two hundred years since Raffles landed, it’s time the Lion City embraced another British idea: democratic accountability