This week’s readings / links include a review of the bear case for Chinese markets, a conversation with Kosmo Kalliarekos of Baring Private Equity Asia, a look at the centuries-old struggle against the caste system in India, Angus Deaton on why the U.S. can no longer hide from its deep poverty problem and the latest memo from Howard Marks.

• China market bulls beat the short sellers – for now: Big bets on the collapse of China’s indebted economy have largely failed. Did hedge funds misread the signs or were they just too early?
• Private equity trends in Southeast Asia and China: A conversation with Kosmo Kalliarekos, managing director at Baring Private Equity Asia.
• 200 years of anti-caste struggle: A new wave of protest suggests that the centuries-old struggle against the caste system in India may be entering a new phase.
• The U.S. can no longer hide from its deep poverty problem: Opinion piece from Angus Deaton.
• Latest thinking: New memo from Howard Marks.