Most Read
Sri Lanka’s New President Is More a Pragmatist Than a Marxist
Anura Kumara Dissanayake is well aware that his handling of Sri Lanka’s vulnerable economy will determine his political future.
Forget China: In the Pacific Islands, the US Is Its Own Worst Enemy
The region wants nuclear justice for the Marshall Islands. Washington’s refusal undermines its Pacific strategy.
Competing Sectarianisms in Malaysia
A new bill seeks to tighten Islamic orthodoxies, imperiling the country's reputation for religious tolerance and inclusion.
Magazine
How Jokowi Conquered Indonesian Politics
He’s long been the most popular politician in the country. But will his 10 years in power leave a lasting legacy?
Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Conundrum
What is true and not in the arguments for and against nuclear power in Kazakhstan? Why does Russia loom so large in this debate? And is the government listening to the people?
The 75-Year Quest to Make China Great Again
On the surface, there is little that connects Xi Jinping’s PRC to that of Mao and Deng. But a closer examination of Xi’s rejuvenation strategy reveals an enduring set of political and economic principles and a high degree of policy continuity.
Moonis Ahmar on the Future of Bangladesh-Pakistan Relations
“Pakistan’s alignment with the BNP or Jamaat has always been counterproductive.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
Mongolia and China Celebrate 75 Years of Partnership
2024 also marks milestone anniversaries for the foundational treaty between China and Mongolia, as well as their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Boiling 54 Eggs: China’s Approach to Africa
Why Do China Bulls Keep Getting It Wrong?
China Pitches Its Model of Modernization to the Global South
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
Innovating Vietnam’s Public Diplomacy in the South China Sea
Should Vietnam adopt the Philippines’ “assertive transparency” approach to future incidents in the South China Sea?
China Conducts More Military Drills Around Taiwan
Taiwan’s Semiconductor Export Conundrum
Unmasking the ‘Group of Friends in Defense of the United Nations Charter’
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
North Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Program Could Seriously Complicate a Future US War Effort
As Pyongyang reportedly begins construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine, the question is whether it will be a strategic ballistic missile sub or a more conventional attack sub.
The Quad Is Quietly Adapting Methods of Security Cooperation
Minding Global South Realities Amid Indo-Pacific Strategic Competition
US Marine Corps Deploys a New Unmanned Semi-submersible Vessel on Okinawa, Japan
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Lee Kuan Yew’s Youngest Son Requests Permission to Demolish Family Home
The home at 38 Oxley Road has been the subject of a bitter family dispute between former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his two siblings.
Thai Progressives Have Written a New Script For Political Opposition
Philippine Police Arrest Online Scamming ‘Kingpin’ in Luzon
Former Philippine President Duterte Makes Political Comeback Amid Usual Controversy
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
India-Canada Relations in a Downward Spiral
Canadian officials named India’s Home Minister Amit Shah as having “authorized the intelligence-gathering missions and attacks on Sikh separatists” in Canada, U.S. media reported.
Can the Interim Government Ensure Justice and Bring Radical Changes in Bangladesh?
Impact of the Gaza War on Militancy in South Asia and Beyond
Jammu and Kashmir’s New Government Faces Formidable Challenges
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
Han Kang Becomes First South Korean to Win the Nobel Prize in Literature
Her award also provided a rare moment of national unity, as Koreans from both sides of the political divide rushed to praise Han and her writing.
8 Months on, South Korean Doctors Are Still on Strike
The Plight of the ‘Zainichi’ Koreans
Tourists and Diplomats Come Back to North Korea: A Chance for Renewed Engagement
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
The History of Japan’s Nobel Peace Prize-Winning Nuclear Survivors’ Group
Nihon Hidankyo was honored “for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.” It’s a culmination of nearly 70 years of work.
Ishiba’s Push for an ‘Asian NATO’ Is a Non-starter
Japan’s Foreign Policy Beyond the US Presidential Election
Japan’s New Prime Minister and the North Korean Abduction Issue
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
Navigating Security and Privacy in the Asia-Pacific: A Legal and Diplomatic Balancing Act
In response to mounting threats, governments have introduce a range of tighter security measures that often conflict with privacy and individual freedoms.
Amid the China-US Competition, Beware of Data Colonialism
Uzbekistan’s Upcoming Parliamentary Elections: A Chance for Change?
The Bangladesh Army Must Not Meddle in Politics
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
The Power of Names: Turkey’s Shift From Central Asia to Turkestan
Ankara continues to strengthen its bid for influence in the region by stressing historical and cultural ties.
Is There a Future for Central Asia’s Indian Ocean Transport Projects?
Can China’s Global South Strategy Achieve Its Objectives in Central Asia?
Trial of 11 Journalists in Kyrgyzstan Ends in Prison Sentences and Acquittals
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
India and the US 2024 Election
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris differ considerably on foreign policy, but neither is likely to lead a significant enhancement of the India-U.S. strategic relationship.
From G2 to Cold War 2.0: The Changing US Attitude Toward China
America’s Achilles Heel in the Indo-Pacific
North Korea: The Overlooked Challenge for the Next US President
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
The EUDR Hints at the Limits of Market Access as Leverage
The relative decline in the size of the European economy has given exporters less demanding alternatives for the exports.
Prabowo to Reappoint Sri Mulyani as Indonesia’s Finance Minister
Indonesia Asks Apple, Google to Block Chinese E-Commerce App Temu
Leveling the Playing Field for Streaming Services in the Philippines
Oceania
The South Pacific
Australia’s Response to Atrocities: A Tale of 2 Tragedies
The impacts of media coverage and public deliberations on Australia’s foreign policy – from the 2017 Rohingya crisis to the current war in Gaza.
Australian Public Diplomacy and a National Rugby League Team in Papua New Guinea
How the US Election Could Affect New Zealand Foreign Policy
At UN, Australia’s FM Wong Defends International Institutions at a Time of Crisis
Videos
Asia on Video
What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
Chiang Min-yen, a non-resident fellow at the Taiwan Economic Democracy Union, joins The Diplomat to discuss the concerns over the bill, the China factor, and what comes next.
What’s Behind Vietnam’s Political Upheaval?
The Danger of China’s Digital Silk Road
What Will China’s Shift From Oil Mean for Saudi Arabia and Russia?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
Voters Show up in Record Numbers to Kick off Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections
Eight constituencies in the Jammu region and 16 from the Kashmir Valley voted on the first phase of assembly elections. Two more rounds of voting remain.