Latest Stories
Amid Political Turmoil, Germany Stresses De-Risking From China
Even as the governing coalition fell apart, Germany’s foreign minister did not shy away from criticizing China during her visit.
With Fall of Bashar al-Assad, India Loses a Friend
Syria under Assad was a strong supporter of India on the Kashmir issue, a rarity in the Muslim world.
How Recent Elections Have Changed National Power Equations in India
The crucial role of the RSS means that the recent state election results are not a referendum on Modi’s popularity.
No Rallies in 3 Years? Kyrgyz President Claims ‘Stability,’ Forgets Reality
Despite a ban on rallies in much of Bishkek since March 2022, there have actually been rallies, protests, and even riots in the country in recent years.
For Japan, Whaling Is Intertwined With Maritime Sovereignty
Japan argues that whaling is part of its history and culture. A rigid insistence on maritime sovereignty offers a more convincing explanation for Tokyo’s stance.
China and Great Power Competition in the Multilateral System
Insights from Romina Bandura.
Most Read
PPP Neutralizes Vote to Impeach South Korea’s President
With the ruling party holding a meeting to avoid the vote, the National Assembly was short of a quorum.
The Significance of Putin’s Visit to India
The past month has seen definite progress in New Delhi’s relations with Moscow. That trend is set to continue into 2025, with the Russian leader's first post-COVID visit to India.
How Do Uzbek Men Kill Women? Impulsively, Brutally, and Often at Home
In Uzbekistan, women are often killed by men close to them – intimate partners and family members – and usually at their own homes, a space meant to be safe. Here is what our recent research reveals.
Magazine
Governing From Weakness: The LDP Under Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru
Ishiba is in a far weaker political position than his immediate predecessors – and has far more international volatility to contend with.
Traveling Through Myanmar’s War-Ravaged Arakan
In the region of Myanmar now held by the Arakan Army, the impacts of war and decades of economic neglect are easily visible.
Is the Indian Ocean Ready for Another Mega-Tsunami?
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami sparked the world’s largest humanitarian and disaster recovery effort. But 20 years on, governments still fail to sufficiently integrate disaster reduction into longer-term strategic thinking.
Kelly Grieco on Indo-Pacific Reactions to Trump’s Reelection
“The Trump administration can have a tough-on-China policy, or it can have a tough-on-allies policy, but it probably cannot have both.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
Amid Political Turmoil, Germany Stresses De-Risking From China
Even as the governing coalition fell apart, Germany’s foreign minister did not shy away from criticizing China during her visit.
Changing Cadre Incentives: The Untold Story of China’s Economic Challenge
China’s G20 Agenda and Its Effect on Multilateralism: The Emerging Global South
Should China Be Worried About the Biden Administration’s Growing Africa Engagement?
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
Does Russia Really Believe the US is Seeking a ‘Reverse Nixon’?
In 1972, Nixon partnered with the PRC against the Soviet Union. In 2024, is Washington really seeking to partner with Russia against China?
China’s Mineral Export Ban Strikes at the US Defense Industrial Base
The EU Is Following the US North Korea Playbook – But Should It Be?
In Handling the North Korea-Russia Alliance, Trump Should Follow Nixon
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
The Overlooked Trend in China’s Military Violations of Taiwan’s ADIZ
The world should focus not only on the PLA’s daily violation sorties but also on the near-weekly joint combat readiness patrols.
Revisiting ‘Forces Goal 2030’: Bangladesh’s Military Modernization Plan Under the New Government
KMT, DPP Clash over Taiwan Defense Initiatives
Will AUKUS Survive the Trump Administration?
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Coup Plot Dismissed in the Philippines
Amid an escalating political feud, former President Rodrigo Duterte has called for military action against his successor's administration.
Indonesia, Philippines Agree to Repatriation of Filipina Drug Convict
Thailand to Host ASEAN Talks on Myanmar Conflict This Month
Activists File Second Impeachment Complaint Against Philippine Vice President
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
With Fall of Bashar al-Assad, India Loses a Friend
Syria under Assad was a strong supporter of India on the Kashmir issue, a rarity in the Muslim world.
How Recent Elections Have Changed National Power Equations in India
What Lies Ahead for India-China Relations
China-India Disengagement Deal: A Two-level Game
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
After Blocking Impeachment, South Korea’s PPP Wants to Absorb Yoon’s Presidential Powers
Yoon implied that he would depute his presidential powers and authorities to the ruling party, but it is illegitimate for the PPP to exercise them.
PPP Neutralizes Vote to Impeach South Korea’s President
Resilient Democracy: How South Korea’s Institutions Rejected Authoritarian Overreach
Yoon Accused of Trying to Arrest Key Political Leaders During Martial Law
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
For Japan, Whaling Is Intertwined With Maritime Sovereignty
Japan argues that whaling is part of its history and culture. A rigid insistence on maritime sovereignty offers a more convincing explanation for Tokyo’s stance.
Yoon’s Martial Law Declaration Puts Japan-South Korea Relations in Jeopardy
The Okinawa Conundrum: Rethinking Regional Security
60 Years of Japan-South Korea Relations: A Moment for Reflection and Progress
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
The ICC’s Action on the Rohingya is Historic, but the Court Should Go Further on Myanmar
The arrest warrant against junta chief Min Aung Hlaing only addresses a tiny portion of the crimes committed by the Myanmar armed forces.
India’s Mosques Are Under Siege. The Destruction of the Babri Masjid Explains Why.
The Axis of Trump: Russia, Israel, and India
Across the Asia-Pacific, Governments Criminalize Human Rights Defenders Like Me
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
No Rallies in 3 Years? Kyrgyz President Claims ‘Stability,’ Forgets Reality
Despite a ban on rallies in much of Bishkek since March 2022, there have actually been rallies, protests, and even riots in the country in recent years.
Mongolia Eyes India as Third Destination for Coal Exports
Sanctions on Gazprombank Imperil Uzbek Copper Mine Expansion
After 33 Years, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Announce Border Agreement
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
With Visit to Angola, Biden Claims the US Is ‘All in on Africa’
U.S. Africa policy is often viewed through the prism of competition with China. If so, the United States has a long way to go to catch up.
Trump and Great Power Competition in the Pacific Islands
Rubio’s Nomination to Head US Diplomacy Bodes Well for Human Rights in China
The Democratic Party’s Electoral Rout Stemmed From Its China Strategy
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
German Carmakers Are Placing a Risky Bet on China
Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have announced further investments in a market that has changed rapidly to their disadvantage.
Vietnam Signs Agreement with Nvidia to Establish AI Research and Data Centers
Apple Plans to Invest $1 Billion in Indonesian Manufacturing Plant, Minister Says
The End of Japan’s Hydrogen Rush in Australia?
Oceania
The South Pacific
Why Are Votes of No Confidence So Common in the Pacific?
Across much of the Pacific, votes of no confidence have become a frequently deployed, and increasingly disruptive, tactic.
The Risks of Australia’s Approach to Sanctions
Why Is Australia Banning Social Media for Youth Under 16?
A Little Less Like-minded? Australia and the US Under Trump 2.0
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
America First, Again: US-China Relations and the Second Trump Administration
Where does the U.S.-China relationship go from here?
America First, Again: Asian Geopolitics and the Second Trump Administration
A New China-India Border Deal?
The Geopolitical Implications of the UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Deal
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.