DRI | COVID-19 IN ASIA
Presented by Diplomat Risk Intelligence
October 20, 2020
Uzbek Weddings in the Time of COVID-19
By Ezoza Yakvalkhodjieva
The pandemic has managed to do what the Uzbek government hasn’t been able to: temper lavish wedding practices. But will moderation last?
October 19, 2020
Vietnam’s War Against COVID-19
By Maya Nguyen
Vietnam's campaign against COVID-19 is infused with military imagery, playing into existing strands of national identity.
October 17, 2020
Myanmar’s High-Risk Election
By Tom Fawthrop
Aung San Suu Kyi’s dangerous gamble to push ahead with a controversial election as a second wave of COVID-19 hits Myanmar hard.
DRI | APAC Risks, Analyzed
DRI
October 23, 2020
Sri Lanka’s Changing Relationship to Chinese Loans
By Umesh Moramudali
Both the share and the type of loans from China are changing as Sri Lanka wrestles with persistent balance of payment issues.
October 20, 2020
The Pandemic and Power Shifts in Asia
By Ankit Panda
The coronavirus pandemic has affected Asian power shifts in a serious way.
October 15, 2020
Demystifying China’s Role in Italy’s Port of Trieste
By Francesca Ghiretti
The ghosts of Chinese control or even ownership have haunted the port since a March 2019 MoU. But those concerns have always been overblown.
Magazine
M
October 01, 2020
Fiji 50 Years On
By Stewart Firth
Fiji’s long-running split along lines of racial identity is at the center of the country’s tortured politics.
October 01, 2020
Pakistan’s Hybrid Regime: The Army’s Project Imran Khan
By Mohammad Taqi
With its latest power play, Pakistan’s civilian-military regime might have bitten off more than it could chew.
October 01, 2020
Myanmar’s Peace Process: The China Factor
By Yun Sun
China has an undeniable role in Myanmar’s peace process, but an ultimate resolution lies in Burmese hands.
October 01, 2020
The Asia Inheritance: Trump and US Alliances
By Abraham M. Denmark and Shihoko Goto
U.S. alliances have been tested under the Trump administration – but have also proven more durable than many expected.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
October 24, 2020
In Korean War Commemoration, Xi Warns That China Will ‘Use War to Prevent War’
By Shannon Tiezzi
Xi Jinping extolled China's victory in the War to Resist American Aggression -- and sent a very clear warning to the U.S.
October 23, 2020
Did China Join COVAX to Counter or Promote Vaccine Nationalism?
October 23, 2020
Vatican, China Extend Bishop Agreement Over US Opposition
October 22, 2020
Why China Needs an Arctic Policy 2.0
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
October 24, 2020
Chinese Misbehavior Increases Support for Taiwan
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Beijing’s pressure on Taiwan and on other countries is generating greater sympathy and support for Taiwan.
October 22, 2020
How to Make a Sharp-edged Quad Work
October 21, 2020
Sweden Becomes Latest – and Among Most Forceful – to Ban Huawei From 5G
October 20, 2020
Just Restart New START: Timing is Running Out for Nuclear Stability
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
October 23, 2020
US Touts Uncertain Plan to Put Hypersonic Missiles on Destroyers
By Steven Stashwick
The national security advisor says all three variants of Arleigh Burke destroyers will get new missiles.
October 23, 2020
Hypersonic Missiles For All US Destroyers?
October 23, 2020
An Update on India’s Aircraft Carrier Aspirations
October 21, 2020
India and Sri Lanka Complete Bilateral Naval Exercise
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
October 23, 2020
29 Years on, Landmark Peace Accord Charts Deep Divides in Cambodia
By Sebastian Strangio
The legacy of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, which aimed to bring the country peace and democracy, remains deeply contested.
October 23, 2020
Goldman Sachs Subsidiary Pleads to US Charges in 1MDB Probe
October 23, 2020
The Beginning of the End of Kem Sokha’s Ordeal in Cambodia?
October 23, 2020
Amid US Criticisms, China Offers Mekong Nations Access to Crucial River Data
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
POctober 23, 2020
Sri Lanka’s Changing Relationship to Chinese Loans
By Umesh Moramudali
Both the share and the type of loans from China are changing as Sri Lanka wrestles with persistent balance of payment issues.
October 23, 2020
South Asia Has a New Economic Leader. Will the World Take Note?
October 20, 2020
Agree to Disagree? US, Taliban Trade Barbs Over Continuing Violence
October 20, 2020
Pakistan’s Former Prime Minister Takes the Generals Head on Amid Growing Confrontation
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
October 23, 2020
Moon’s Plan for Inter-Korean Relations Is Actually 40 Years Old
By Dylan Stent
No South Korean president in the last 38 years has trodden outside the elite blueprint for interacting with North Korea.
October 21, 2020
Typhoons and Human Insecurity in North Korea
October 19, 2020
What’s Next for Moon’s North Korea Policy?
October 16, 2020
South Korea Looks to Cap Public Debt, But Is It Actually a Problem?
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
October 21, 2020
Japan Sticks to Nuclear Fuel Recycling Plan Despite Plutonium Stockpile
By Associated Press
Japan now has 45.5 tons of separated plutonium, enough to make about 6,000 atomic bombs.
October 20, 2020
In Vietnam’s Capital, Japanese PM Pushes Indo-Pacific Vision
October 19, 2020
Japan’s Pragmatic New PM Pushes Abe’s Vision on Southeast Asia Trip
October 15, 2020
Japan’s Suga Set to Authorize Arms Sales to Vietnam
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
October 23, 2020
The Japan-Korea Dispute Over the 1965 Agreement
By Jinyul Ju
In fact, the agreement makes the path to resolution quite clear.
October 23, 2020
It’s Time for an International Human Rights Alliance to Defend Democracy
October 22, 2020
China’s Barbarity Toward Uyghur Families Should Shock Our Consciousness and Spur Action
October 21, 2020
Time for a Positive EU Policy on Taiwan
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
October 22, 2020
Kyrgyzstan Punts on Elections to Pursue Constitutional Reforms
By Catherine Putz
The Kyrgyz parliament voted to cancel forthcoming new parliament and presidential elections to make way for constitutional reforms.
October 22, 2020
Japarov’s Many Promises: Can Stability Emerge From Chaos in Kyrgyzstan?
October 21, 2020
Date Set for Kazakhstan’s Parliamentary Elections
October 21, 2020
Kyrgyzstan: Raimbek Matraimov Detained, Released
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
October 22, 2020
China Is Weaponizing the Belt and Road. What Can the US Do About It?
By Daniel Russel and Samuel Locklear
The BRI-driven trend toward a Chinese sphere of influence is neither inevitable nor irreversible.
October 21, 2020
How Do Americans View South Korea’s COVID-19 Response?
October 20, 2020
The US Government Partners With Academia to Root out Chinese Talent Plans
October 19, 2020
Hollywood Made in China
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
October 23, 2020
Mind the Gap: How Southeast Asia Can Make the AI Leap
By Mark Manantan
Artificial Intelligence technology holds out huge potential benefits for ASEAN – if the region can close some crucial shortfalls.
October 20, 2020
Development for Whom? The Omnibus Bill and Jokowi’s Economic Vision
October 16, 2020
What Will Indonesia’s Internet Economy Look Like?
October 16, 2020
The Age of Limited Globalization Is Upon Us
Asia Life
The Other Asia-Pacific
L
October 23, 2020
Fighting Deforestation in Sri Lanka
By Savithri Sellapperumage
Can Sri Lanka live up to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's environmental commitments?
October 21, 2020
Silent Battles: How Pakistani Women Counter Harassment in Cyberspace
October 16, 2020
Pandemics and the Post: Mongolia’s Pony Express
October 14, 2020
After Outrage, Indian Brand Pulls Ad with Interfaith Couple
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
October 23, 2020
US Aid Pledge to Pro-Taiwan Solomon Islands Province Raises Eyebrows
By Joshua Mcdonald
The $25 million in aid to Malaita has sparked concerns that Washington is aid for geopolitical gain vis-a-vis China.
October 21, 2020
Australian Parliament to Debate a Beijing Olympics Boycott
October 16, 2020
Ardern Poised to Win Re-election in New Zealand.
October 14, 2020
Australia Looks to Tighten Government Oversight of University Agreements With China
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
POctober 20, 2020
The Pandemic and Power Shifts in Asia
By Ankit Panda
The coronavirus pandemic has affected Asian power shifts in a serious way.
October 09, 2020
Trouble in Kyrgyzstan: Assessing the October 2020 Crisis
October 03, 2020
India’s Illiberal Turn and the Indo-Pacific
September 25, 2020
Southeast Asia Caught Between the US and China
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
October 15, 2020
Protesters Again Fill the Streets of Bangkok
By Cory Wright
Gathering at the Democracy Monument, protesters then marched on Government House, where the prime minister’s offices are located.