Top Stories
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April 07, 2021
Would Access to Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base Really Benefit China?
By Chen Heang
Gaining access to a Cambodian naval facility would give China's navy little discernible strategic advantage.
April 03, 2021
Spike in Violence Follows Failed Negotiations Between the Pakistani Taliban and Islamabad
By Franz J. Marty
Sources reveal secret negotiations between Pakistan’s government and the TTP, which ultimately fell apart.
April 01, 2021
Can Myanmar’s Protesters Win?
By Tom Fawthrop
They are up against a ruthless, entrenched military. But history tells us not to underestimate the power of the people.
March 30, 2021
China’s Social Credit System: Speculation vs. Reality
By Jessica Reilly , Muyao Lyu, and Megan Robertson
How far along is China's much-hyped social credit system – and where is it heading next?
DRI | Monthly Report
DRI
DRI REPORT NO. 3
An Asian Space Odyssey
Civil, Military, and Commercial Space Ambitions
COVID-19 in Asia
April 12, 2021
Thailand Buffeted by Third Wave of COVID-19 Infections
By Sebastian Strangio
The new outbreak threatens to undermine Thailand's economic recovery before it has even begun.
April 08, 2021
Modi Gets 2nd Vaccine Dose as India Hits Record For Daily Cases
By Associated Press
The prime minister urged Indians to get vaccinated as the country sees its case count soar to new heights.
April 06, 2021
New Zealand to Open Travel Bubble With Australia on April 19
By Nick Perry
Australia had previously allowed New Zealanders to arrive without going into quarantine but New Zealand had taken a more cautious approach.
April 06, 2021
North Korea Says It Won’t Participate in Tokyo Olympics
By Kim Tong-Hyung
Pyongyang cited concerns over COVID-19 for its decision. Its absence from the Games further dims hope of a diplomatic breakthrough.
Magazine
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April 01, 2021
Asia’s Youth in Revolt
By Nicholas Farrelly
In Thailand, Myanmar, and Hong Kong, Asia’s brave youth go toe-to-toe with history.
April 01, 2021
Australia-China Relations: The Great Debate
By Jane Golley
All sides can agree that the relationship is at a historic low. But the causes – and possible solutions – are far more contentious.
April 01, 2021
What Explains Nepal’s Perennial Instability?
By Peter Gill
Decisive election results in 2017 raised hopes that Nepal would finally see a government finish its term. That looks like a distant dream today.
April 01, 2021
The Making of Brand Modi
By Asim Ali
Narendra Modi has created one of the most powerful political brands in India’s history. But that centralization of power creates its own weaknesses.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
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April 12, 2021
Zhao Kezhi’s Legacy Could Define China’s Regional Security Paradigm
By Tristan Kenderdine
The 20th Party Congress will mark the end of Zhao’s CCP career, but his internal affairs policy will continue.
April 09, 2021
Taiwan Picks Up the Pieces in Aftermath of Deadly Train Crash
April 09, 2021
The Hidden Motive of China’s Zero Emissions Pledge: Energy Security
April 09, 2021
Kidnappings Plague Chinese Worksites in Nigeria
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
April 09, 2021
Iran Frees South Korean Ship Held Amid Dispute Over Funds
By Isabel Debre and Jon Gambrel
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Iran released the tanker and its captain after seizing the vessel in January.
April 09, 2021
Welcome to the Fog of More
April 08, 2021
Taiwan Will Fight ‘to the Very Last Day’ If China Attacks
April 03, 2021
Space Regime in Deep Distress: Experts
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
April 09, 2021
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Conducts ‘Routine’ Drills Near Taiwan
By Steven Stashwick
Six warships pass through the Ryukyus to exercise east of Taiwan.
April 08, 2021
US Destroyer Carries Out FONOP in Indian EEZ
April 08, 2021
Japan Could Deliver 8 Cutting-Edge Frigates to Indonesia
April 07, 2021
Yes, China Has the World’s Largest Navy. That Matters Less Than You Might Think.
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
April 12, 2021
Singapore PM Succession Setback
By Li Xirui and Dingding Chen
What are the consequences of Heng Swee Keat's decision to step aside as 4G leader-in-waiting?
April 12, 2021
Myanmar Sees Another Day of Bloodshed, as Armed Resistance Rises
April 12, 2021
VICE Asia Tampers with Khmer Rouge Tribunal Evidence
April 12, 2021
Thailand Buffeted by Third Wave of COVID-19 Infections
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
April 09, 2021
Missing in India’s Upcoming State Elections: Female Candidates
By Sudha Ramachandran
Despite rhetorical commitment to gender parity in politics, India’s major political parties fall far short of that goal.
April 09, 2021
India Must Settle the Teesta River Dispute With Bangladesh for Lasting Gains
April 09, 2021
What the China-Iran Strategic Cooperation Pact Means for India
April 09, 2021
Did Lavrov’s India Trip Reset India-Russia Ties?
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
April 09, 2021
Why Did Young South Koreans Ditch the Democratic Party and President Moon?
By Seoho Lee
In the crucial by-elections, young voters turned away from the ruling party they once supported. What happened?
April 08, 2021
Seoul and Busan Mayor By-Elections Spell Trouble for President Moon
April 06, 2021
North Korea Says It Won’t Participate in Tokyo Olympics
April 05, 2021
South Korea Talks With China, Japan, and US in Flurry of Diplomacy
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
April 09, 2021
The Japan-US Alliance During the Biden Administration
By KAWASHIMA Shin
One way of looking at the 2+2 meeting is that a selection of items for future consideration was put on the table. What becomes of these items going forward is now the critical question.
April 08, 2021
Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Operators Penalized for Sloppy Safeguards at Niigata
April 08, 2021
Japan Regulator Bans Nuke Plant Restart Over Lax Safeguards
April 07, 2021
Can Japan Be Both Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
April 09, 2021
Sri Lankan Muslims Fear Speaking Out
By Tasnim Nazeer
A crackdown on dissenting voices -- those denouncing Islamophobia and criticizing the government -- has Sri Lanka’s Muslims afraid to speak out.
April 08, 2021
The US Must Help Afghans Who Helped It
April 07, 2021
Afghanistan: A Difficult Road Ahead, But Change Is Inescapable
April 07, 2021
Myanmar on the Brink
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
April 12, 2021
Turkic Council Sets Sights on Upgrade Rooted in Economic Connectivity Projects
By Umida Hashimova
The Turkic Council aims to grow its political and economic significance.
April 10, 2021
Settling Central Asia’s Borders Is No Easy Task
April 08, 2021
Aizada Kanatbekova: A Young Woman Kidnapped and Murdered in Kyrgyzstan
April 06, 2021
Uzbekistan: Opposition Erk Party Wants in on October Presidential Election
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
April 10, 2021
US Envoy Kerry Discusses Climate Challenges in Bangladesh
By Julhas Alam
The U.S. special envoy on climate stopped in Bangladesh as part of a tour of climate change-vulnerable nations.
April 06, 2021
The China Plan: Transatlantic Blueprint for Strategic Competition
April 06, 2021
The Challenges of US China Policy
April 06, 2021
The Japan-US Summit and Cooperation With South Korea
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
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April 12, 2021
Sacred Sustainability: Singapore, Greening, and Biophilic Design
By Abhinav Seetharaman
Singapore's sustainable development strategies have played an important but unheralded role in the country's economic success.
April 06, 2021
How Independent Should Bank Indonesia (or any Central Bank) Be?
April 05, 2021
How Will China’s Sovereign Digital Currency Affect Fintech?
March 31, 2021
The COVID-19 Endgame: Does Southeast Asia Need More Than Resilience?
Oceania
The South Pacific
OApril 06, 2021
New Zealand to Open Travel Bubble With Australia on April 19
By Nick Perry
Australia had previously allowed New Zealanders to arrive without going into quarantine but New Zealand had taken a more cautious approach.
April 06, 2021
Why Australia Needs to Prioritize Women
April 05, 2021
Heavy Rains Over Easter Weekend Flood Timor-Leste’s Capital
March 31, 2021
Palau President Visits Taiwan Despite Chinese Pressure
Videos
Asia on Video
V
March 23, 2021
Ceasing Fire: India, Pakistan, and Elusive Peace in South Asia
By The Diplomat
Madiha Afzal, Michael Kugelman, and Asfandyar Mir discuss the surprise ceasefire and the long-term implications for South Asian peace.
March 15, 2021
Violence Follows New ‘Anti-Conversion’ Law in India’s Madhya Pradesh
March 04, 2021
Myanmar Coup and the Aftermath
February 09, 2021
African Perspectives on China
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
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April 03, 2021
China’s Maritime Militia at Whitsun Reef: Trouble in the South China Sea
By Ankit Panda
China’s maritime militia is once again at the center of a crisis in the South China Sea. What now?
March 30, 2021
Breathing Fresh Life into Cambodia’s Art Scene
March 17, 2021
Southeast Asia’s Emerging Markets, Post-Pandemic
March 17, 2021
The ‘Quad’ Summit: Delivering Value in the Indo-Pacific
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
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March 08, 2021
In Photos: China and India’s Pangong Lake Disengagement
By Rajeev Bhattacharya
After false starts China-India military disengagement in the northern and southern banks of the Pangong Lake is finally over. This is how the process looked.