Latest Stories
Making an Electric Car Battery, Minus China
Building indigenous capacities to produce raw materials for lithium-ion batteries will be crucial for achieving energy transition goals.
Could Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal Worsen Water Scarcity in Central Asia?
The canal's completion could exacerbate regional conflict, but also presents an opportunity for regional cooperation.
Pass First, Think Later: Déjà Vu in Australian Tech Lawmaking
Will the country’s social media ban for teens end up like its internet filtering scheme more than a decade ago?
Blinken’s Last Trip to Seoul and Its Implications
During this sensitive time of Seoul’s political turmoil, Blinken’s much-awaited visit to South Korea is the last gift that the Biden administration wants to offer its ally.
Japan Aims to Make Sasebo a Strong Foothold for Amphibious Operations for the Self-Defense Forces
Japan aims to bolster capabilities to defend and recapture remote islands, especially in its southwestern Nansei island chain.
Will Former Friends Pakistan and the Taliban Be Able to Mend Relations?
To address its terrorism concerns, Pakistan is simultaneously pursuing diplomacy with the Taliban government in Afghanistan and cross-border attacks.
Most Read
China Alleges Taiwan Is Paying Bribes for US Support
The narrative is part of a larger disinformation campaign designed to undermine Taiwan-U.S. relations.
J-36: Assessing China’s New Generation Combat Aircraft
What we know – and what we don't know – about the next-generation fighter that made its first public appearance over Chengdu.
5 Factors That Catapulted Arakan Army to Unprecedented Success Against the Myanmar Military
The AA has entered into alliances and built on terrain and other advantages to emerge as a formidable organization in Rakhine State.
Magazine
Malaysia’s Turn in the ASEAN Hotseat
Malaysia’s year as ASEAN chair arrives at a pivotal moment to confront unprecedented challenges facing the bloc.
How COVID-19 Transformed China’s Domestic and International Trajectory
The pandemic left an indelible but mixed imprint on everything from patterns of socio-economic development to China’s state apparatus and foreign relations.
2025: What to Expect in the Asia-Pacific
Welcome to the new year, and to our annual primer on what to expect in the Asia-Pacific.
Meera Gopal on the Asia-Pacific at COP29
“All in all, vulnerable countries lamented that [COP29] was a lost opportunity for collective action and the outcome did not reflect a meaningful agreement on climate finance.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
Year of the ‘Known Unknowns’? Australia-China Relations in 2025
Last year consolidated the thaw that began under the Albanese government. Entering 2025, however, the Australia-China relationship will face growing uncertainties.
China’s Middle East Moment: Will Beijing Seize the Opportunity in Syria?
Navigating Taiwan’s Pacific Identity: Challenges for Lai Ching-te’s Hawaiian Shirt Diplomacy
Taiwan’s Legislature-Government Clashes Heat up
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
North Korea Launches Suspected Hypersonic Ballistic Missile
Two weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to White House, North Korea launched an intermediate range ballistic missile.
Chinese Dam on Transboundary River Raises Concern in Delhi
What’s Next for China-India Relations?
China Sets Record for Activity Near Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in 2024
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
Japan Aims to Make Sasebo a Strong Foothold for Amphibious Operations for the Self-Defense Forces
Japan aims to bolster capabilities to defend and recapture remote islands, especially in its southwestern Nansei island chain.
Japan Approves 9.4 Percent Increase in Defense Spending for FY2025
Yoon Suk-yeol’s Downfall Should Spark Introspection on the US Approach to South Korea
Japan’s MHI Launches 10th Mogami-Class Multirole Frigate for JMSDF
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Nearly 6,000 Prisoners Released in Myanmar Independence Day Amnesty
While the amnesty included around 600 political prisoners, it should not be taken as a sign of conciliation on the part of the military.
Court Grants Ex-Malaysian PM Najib Appeal in House Arrest Ruling
What to Expect in Philippine Politics in 2025
Anwar Ibrahim’s ‘Postnormal Times MADANI Exhibition’ Aims to Change Malaysia’s Conversation
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Will Former Friends Pakistan and the Taliban Be Able to Mend Relations?
To address its terrorism concerns, Pakistan is simultaneously pursuing diplomacy with the Taliban government in Afghanistan and cross-border attacks.
The Dark Underbelly of India’s Fast-expanding Gig Economy
Why India’s BJP Is Confident of Being in Power for a Long Time
Jimmy Carter’s Nepal Connection
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
Blinken’s Last Trip to Seoul and Its Implications
During this sensitive time of Seoul’s political turmoil, Blinken’s much-awaited visit to South Korea is the last gift that the Biden administration wants to offer its ally.
From Leadership to Limbo? South Korea’s Democracy Faces Its Toughest Test
Investigators Fail to Arrest South Korean President
Arrest Warrant Issued Against South Korean President Yoon
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Can Ishiba Shigeru Fulfill His New Year’s Resolution?
Japan's prime minister picked out three priorities for 2025. But with a minority government, he may be forced to follow the opposition's preferences.
Looking Back at India-Japan Security Ties in 2024: A Way Forward
Japan-South Korea Relations Under Trump
Why Japan Is Worried After the Impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
The South Korean Government and Presidential Security Service Are Trampling the Rule of Law
Their blind protection of President Yoon Suk-yeol perpetuates his insurrection.
Is Japan’s Sudden Pivot to China Naïve?
3 Years on: Kazakhstan’s Kafkaesque System Fails Bloody January Torture Victims
To Strengthen Defense, Taiwan Must Revamp Its Military Procurement
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Could Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal Worsen Water Scarcity in Central Asia?
The canal's completion could exacerbate regional conflict, but also presents an opportunity for regional cooperation.
More than 750 Central Asians Were Deported from the US in FY2024
Mongolia’s Political Double Speak on Combating Air Pollution
Leftover Shell Explodes in Kyrgyz Village
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
How Jimmy Carter Stopped the Second Korean War
In the summer of 1994, war on the Korean Peninsula seemed inevitable. Then Carter and his wife arrived in Pyongyang.
China Alleges Taiwan Is Paying Bribes for US Support
How Jimmy Carter’s Legacy Could Impact Trump’s China Policy
How Will Trump’s National Security Team Shape His China Policy?
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
Making an Electric Car Battery, Minus China
Building indigenous capacities to produce raw materials for lithium-ion batteries will be crucial for achieving energy transition goals.
What Indonesia’s 2025 Budget Tells Us About Prabowo’s Fiscal Outlook
Taiwan’s TikTok Liberal Paradox
Indonesia Scales Back Planned VAT Hike, Will Apply Only to Luxury Goods
Oceania
The South Pacific
Pass First, Think Later: Déjà Vu in Australian Tech Lawmaking
Will the country’s social media ban for teens end up like its internet filtering scheme more than a decade ago?
Indian Australians, Cricket, and Urban Planning
With New Agreements, Australia Confirms Its Pacific Ties
More Than Backpacking: The True Value of Australia’s Working Holiday Maker Visa
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
South Korea’s Martial Law Crisis: Geopolitical Implications and Beyond
What does 2025 portend for South Korea's politics and foreign relations?
Central Asian Militaries and Asian Geopolitics
America First, Again: US-China Relations and the Second Trump Administration
America First, Again: Asian Geopolitics and the Second Trump Administration
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
Life in Ladakh Along the Disputed Sino-Indian Border
For Changpa women in Chushul, the 2020 clashes came during a larger societal shift in gender roles.