The Diplomat Magazine | Read The Diplomat, Know the Asia-Pacific

Headlines

Nixon’s Retrospective on the Vietnam War

Nixon’s Retrospective on the Vietnam War

By Francis P. Sempa

The former president had much to say on Vietnam and the failed use of American power.

No Surprises in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

No Surprises in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

By Paolo Sorbello and Daniyar Kosnazarov

Stability triumphs over reform, as Karimov and Nazarbayev retain power in Central Asia.

A Kyrgyz Family in the Islamic State

A Kyrgyz Family in the Islamic State

A family leaves home in Kyrgyzstan to join the Islamic State. Tragedy ensues.

Korea and the New Regional Paradigm

Korea and the New Regional Paradigm

South Korea is at center stage of an emerging new paradigm in Northeast Asia.

Kazakhstan: Nuclear Weapons Free for 20 Years

Kazakhstan: Nuclear Weapons Free for 20 Years

By Erlan Idrissov

Kazakhstan’s recent history shows you don’t need a nuclear arsenal to feel safe.

Thingyan: A New Year for a Troubled State

Thingyan: A New Year for a Troubled State

By Brennan O'Connor (text and photos)

Weary from conflict, the people of Kachin take the time to welcome the Burmese New Year.

Nixon’s Retrospective on the Vietnam War

No Surprises in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

A Kyrgyz Family in the Islamic State

Korea and the New Regional Paradigm

Kazakhstan: Nuclear Weapons Free for 20 Years

Thingyan: A New Year for a Troubled State

Popular Stories

In Nepal Earthquake's Aftermath, India and China Respond

In Nepal Earthquake's Aftermath, India and China Respond

Both India and China have reacted swiftly to Nepal's calls for assistance after an 8.1 magnitude earthquake on Saturday.

South China Sea: China's Unprecedented Spratlys Building Program

South China Sea: China's Unprecedented Spratlys Building Program

Subi Reef looks next in line for an airstrip, as building and reclamation continue with unprecedented speed.

The One Thing Geeky Defense Analysts Never Talk About

The One Thing Geeky Defense Analysts Never Talk About

As George Orwell said, 'To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle.'

A New World Order

China 'Gravely Concerned' by ASEAN Statment on South China Sea

China 'Gravely Concerned' by ASEAN Statment on South China Sea

China rejects the ASEAN statement on the South China Sea, accusing the Philippines of taking the bloc "hostage."

A Third Road for Xinjiang With Abe in US, Chinese Media Warns Obama to Be Wary After Devasating Earthquake, China Rushes Aid to Nepal The Rise of a New Tsinghua Clique in Chinese Politics How China Uses its Cyber Power for Internal Security

Diplomacy by Other Means

Islamic State’s New Afghan Front

Islamic State’s New Afghan Front

The Islamic State has arrived in Afghanistan. Or has it?

4 Ways China Can Become a Global Governance Leader Australia and Iran to Cooperate in Fight Against ISIS Remembering the Indians of Gallipoli South China Sea: China's Unprecedented Spratlys Building Program China, Philippines Spar Over South China Sea Run-Ins

Militaries of the Asia-Pacific

Is India Finally Getting Modern Artillery?

Is India Finally Getting Modern Artillery?

The army has not bought a new howitzer in 25 years and is desperate to close gaps in long-range, high volume firepower.

The Pentagon's Third Offset Strategy: What US Allies and Partners Need to Know China Will Supply Pakistan With 110 New JF-17s China, Thailand Eye Deeper Defense Ties US, Japan Agree to New Defense Guidelines India Still Lacks Modern Battlefield Communication

Insights Into Half a Billion

China Is Now One of Indonesia's Top Ten Investors

China Is Now One of Indonesia's Top Ten Investors

Beijing makes the cut for the first time.

Trans-Pacific Partnership: Do it for Vietnam What Did the 26th ASEAN Summit Achieve? Philippines and Vietnam Rapidly Building Strategic Partnership Over Half of World Piracy Attacks Now in ASEAN Did Indonesia Revive the Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership?

Perspectives on South Asia

Pakistan's Neutrality in the Yemen Crisis: Brought to You by China

Pakistan's Neutrality in the Yemen Crisis: Brought to You by China

As the weather changes in Saudi-Pakistani relations, Pakistan will look to its "all-weather" partner China.

Violence in Afghanistan Delays Ghani on Trip to India 2 Years Later, Bangladesh's Rana Plaza Debacle Continues to Resonate Globally In Nepal Earthquake's Aftermath, India and China Respond Nepal Quake: Governance Matters Nepal Hit By Powerful 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake, Death Toll Approaches 900

Divided Peninsula

South Korea Frets Over US-Japan Defense Guidelines

South Korea Frets Over US-Japan Defense Guidelines

New defense guidelines for the U.S.-Japan alliance have some analysts in South Korea worried.

US-South Korea: A Pragmatic Alliance? South Korea Will Salvage the Sewol Ferry 'Ambassadors' and Prostitutes: South Korea's Sex Workers First Anniversary of Sewol Ferry Disaster Ends in Violence Korean Politics: From Candidate To Saboteur

News from Japan

4 Takeaways From the New US-Japan Defense Guidelines

4 Takeaways From the New US-Japan Defense Guidelines

What's new about the Guidelines, and what that actually means for U.S.-Japan cooperation moving forward.

Japan, US Talk Okinawa, South China Sea at Ministers' Meeting Who Landed a Radioactive Drone on Shinzo Abe's Roof?Is This What Shinzo Abe Will Say in Washington Next Week?What to Expect From Abe's US Visit Japan's Increasingly Uncertain Security Environment

Comment and Opinion

Shinzo Abe’s High-Wire U.S. Visit

Shinzo Abe’s High-Wire U.S. Visit

Can the Japanese prime minister address the past and provide a vision for future cooperation?

Bangladesh’s Executions an Affront to Justice Toward a Stronger US-Japan Alliance India's Infatuation With the UN Security Council With AIIB, US Shot Itself in the Foot on Indian Infrastructure Shinzo Abe’s Ill-Timed Speech

Crossroads Asia

The New Silk Road

Lift Off: Turkmenistan's First Communications Satellite

Lift Off: Turkmenistan's First Communications Satellite

The satellite is French-built, sits in a Monaco-designated slot, and was carried up on a US-designed rocket.

Russia’s Narrative Finds an Audience in Central Asia In Kazakhstan Election, Nazarbayev 'Crushes' Nominal Opposition Turkmenistan's War on Satellite Dishes Which Central Asian Leaders Are Attending Russia's Military Parade?Is Tajikistan Moving Backward on Rights?

U.S. Policy on Asia

Hillary’s Choices: ‘Reset’ or ‘Default’ on Foreign Policy

Hillary’s Choices: ‘Reset’ or ‘Default’ on Foreign Policy

Can Democrats offer a post-Obama vision for Rebalance to Asia?

Will Congress Kill the 'Rebalance to Asia'?Back to The Future: Republican Foreign Policy and Rebalance The U.S. Presidential Race: Hillary and India China’s AIIB and the US Reputation Risk The Politics of Rebalance: The Future of US Leadership In Asia

Economy and Business

China’s Stock Bubble

China’s Stock Bubble

Even as its economy slows, China's stocks have been posting some astonishing gains.

China Fines Mercedes-Benz, Not Domestic Firms ASEAN: Asia’s Hottest Investment?OECD’s Tough Love For Abenomics China’s Slumping Trade Account Asia’s Growth Gap: India Versus The Rest

The Other Asia-Pacific

Can Pakistan's 'Burka Avenger' Score Fans in India?

Can Pakistan's 'Burka Avenger' Score Fans in India?

Pakistan’s popular cartoon superhero is coming to India. Will audiences follow?

Aung San Suu Kyi's Advisor Leaves a Broad Legacy in Myanmar Why China’s New Family-Planning Policy Hasn’t Worked Overseas Filipino Workers: Organizing for Fairer Conditions The JET Program and the US-Japan Relationship Sim Bhullar Becomes the NBA’s First Indian Player

The South Pacific

Fighting People Smugglers: Lessons From Australia for Europe

Fighting People Smugglers: Lessons From Australia for Europe

European covert action forces may be needed in the Mediterranean Sea.

Julie Bishop in Iran 'Fear and Greed': A Closer Look at Australia's China Policy The New Zealand Dollar’s Big Moment Australia Caught in Middle of US-China Power Tussle Australia: Net Piracy and Metadata

Asia Geopolitics

Shades of Grey in Afghanistan: A Conversation with James Creighton

Shades of Grey in Afghanistan: A Conversation with James Creighton

Ankit Panda speaks to Col. James L. Creighton (U.S. Army, Ret.) about his experiences working with an Afghan warlord.

The Rise of Civic Nationalism in Taiwan: A Conversation with J. Michael Cole Understanding Chinese Foreign Policy: A Conversation with Dingding Chen China's Flashpoint on the Land: Southwest Yunnan China's 'New Normal' in 2015: Cause for Concern?North Korea's Nuclear Future: A Conversation With Joel Wit

China's Changing Approach to Africa

February 09, 2015

China's Changing Approach to Africa

China-Africa relations in a new era of Chinese diplomacy.

Laos’ Killer Drunk Driving Problem What You Need to Know About Obama's Trip to India China in 2015: What to Expect Pakistan, Terrorism, and the Peshawar Attack Abe's Post-Election Agenda for Japan

Follow Us

Newsletter

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

The Diplomat Brief

From The Magazine

Change on the Mighty Mekong

Change on the Mighty Mekong

Hunger for affordable energy is threatening traditional livelihoods and a unique biodiversity.

An Evolution in China-India Relations?

An Evolution in China-India Relations?

Modi's election last year has brought some noticeable changes to relations between Asia’s two great powers.

Post-Anwar: Malaysia’s Gloomy Future

Post-Anwar: Malaysia’s Gloomy Future

As the opposition leader sits in prison, a shadow looms over Malaysian politics both at home and abroad.

America’s Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific: On Track

America’s Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific: On Track

The Asia rebalance is the most misunderstood foreign policy initiative of the Obama presidency.

Latest Features

China’s Myanmar Conundrum

China’s Myanmar Conundrum

Myanmar’s domestic politics are central to China’s strategic interests, and are testing Beijing’s core principles.

Natural Disasters: Preparing for the Big One

Natural Disasters: Preparing for the Big One

The vulnerable Asia-Pacific needs broader engagement in disaster planning

Australia, MIKTA and the Middle Power Question

Australia, MIKTA and the Middle Power Question

A seemingly semantic debate is revealing of Australia’s international ambitions and its place in the world.

Family Planning, Chinese Style

Family Planning, Chinese Style

Should the decision to relax the one-child policy be seen as a welcome, humane reform?

Beijing’s Fait Accompli in the South China Sea

Beijing’s Fait Accompli in the South China Sea

China is achieving its foreign policy objectives without firing a shot.

Addressing Nepal’s Water Crisis

Addressing Nepal’s Water Crisis

Although many communities still struggle, Nepal is making real progress on providing access to water.

Remembering the Fall of Phnom Penh

Remembering the Fall of Phnom Penh

Survivors recall the days that preceded the terror.

Diplomatic Access: Japan

Diplomatic Access: Japan

Japan's ambassador to the U.S. on the U.S.-Japan alliance, the TPP, and overcoming China-Japan tensions.

Revelations on China’s Maritime Modernization

Revelations on China’s Maritime Modernization

The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence offers a wealth of new information on the PLA Navy.

Interview: India’s Rafale Deal

Interview: India’s Rafale Deal

The recent Rafale deal and its significance for India's relations with France.

More Interviews

© 2015 The Diplomat. All Rights Reserved.