Latest Stories
Malaysia Seeks Gag Order on Ex-PM Najib’s Royal Document Case
The former leader is seeking to convert his current prison sentence, handed down for his involvement in the 1MDB corruption scandal, to house arrest.
Vietnam’s Reborn Nuclear Energy Ambitions: Challenges and Prospects
The country's nuclear ambition hinges on its leaders' ability to overcome infrastructure bottlenecks and carry the anti-corruption campaign forward.
Myanmar’s Resistance Must Be Transparent Regarding ICC Arrest Warrants
The National Unity Government must be honest with the public about what the recent arrest warrant application does – and does not – entail.
Trade Resumes After Myanmar Military and Major Rebel Group Agree to Ceasefire
The agreement between the military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army came after months of Chinese pressure to return to political dialogue.
2 Regions, 1 Theater: Indivisibility of Security Between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific
Insights from William Alberque.
India’s New Space-Based Spy Network
India is pushing ahead with an ambitious project to build an indigenous constellation of space-based surveillance capabilities.
Most Read
China’s Soft Power Play: How Video Games Are Boosting Beijing’s Global Influence
Tencent's dominance in the gaming world has turned digital entertainment into a powerful vehicle for projecting China’s culture and influence globally.
Trump, China, and the Truth about the Panama Canal
Trump’s canal canard obscures a truth: Panama just wants to run its shipping passage without interference from China or the U.S.
The Failed Plot to ‘Destroy’ Uzbek Officials Using US Sanctions
Letters obtained by The Diplomat suggest a failed effort to manipulate the U.S. sanctions system on the part of a well-connected Uzbek businessman.
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
China’s Last-minute Preparations for Trump 2.0
What is China up to with its diplomatic outreach to U.S. allies Japan and the EU before Trump’s inauguration?
How Taiwan Balances Cybersecurity With Human Rights in Resisting China
In First, China’s VP Will Attend US Presidential Inauguration
When American TikTok Refugees Found a Home on China’s RedNote
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
The US Pivot to Asia Depends on Peace in Ukraine
In the 1950s the U.S. carried out a pivot from Asia to Europe – despite the outbreak of the Korean War. Trump can learn from that history.
Beijing’s Targeting of Taiwan’s Undersea Cables Previews Cross-Strait Tensions Under a Trump Presidency
Trump, China, and the Truth about the Panama Canal
North Korea Launches SRBMs Toward Its Eastern Waters, South Korea Says
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
India’s New Space-Based Spy Network
India is pushing ahead with an ambitious project to build an indigenous constellation of space-based surveillance capabilities.
New Zealand-Singapore Defense Relations in a Volatile World
Why France Is India’s Best Bet for Building Nuclear-Powered Submarines
Japan Aims to Make Sasebo a Strong Foothold for Amphibious Operations for the Self-Defense Forces
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Malaysia Seeks Gag Order on Ex-PM Najib’s Royal Document Case
The former leader is seeking to convert his current prison sentence, handed down for his involvement in the 1MDB corruption scandal, to house arrest.
Vietnam’s Reborn Nuclear Energy Ambitions: Challenges and Prospects
Trade Resumes After Myanmar Military and Major Rebel Group Agree to Ceasefire
Prabowo’s Approval Rating Tops 80 Percent After 100 Days in Office
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Mapping India’s Global Interests – and US Significance for New Delhi
Can data alone map out the countries that are most important for India? To a degree – yes.
2 Recent Moves by the Indian Army Trigger Hinduization Concerns
India Strengthens its Naval Muscle Amid an Uptick in Global Uncertainty, Challenges
Sri Lankan President Seals Several Deals in China
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
South Korean President Attends Impeachment Trial
Despite his refusal to appear for questioning in the CIO's investigation, Yoon Suk-yeol attended the impeachment trial held by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.
Pro-Yoon Rioters Attack Courthouse After New Arrest Warrant Against the President
The Case for South Korea Prohibiting Anti-North Korean Leaflet Launches
South Koreans Separate Support on PPP and President Yoon
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
Myanmar’s Resistance Must Be Transparent Regarding ICC Arrest Warrants
The National Unity Government must be honest with the public about what the recent arrest warrant application does – and does not – entail.
The Mauritius-UK Chagos Agreement Is a Good Deal for the US
The Challenges for BRICS in 2025 Under the Brazilian Presidency
Fostering Stronger Business Ties Between Mongolia and the United States
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
The Shrinking Caspian Sea: An Environmental and Geopolitical Emergency
Allowing the Caspian Sea to succumb to industrial exploitation and climate-induced desiccation would be an irreversible tragedy.
Kyrgyzstan’s Social Democrats Under Pressure
Alleged Coup Trial in Tajikistan: Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Sentences
2025: Decision Time for the Kazakh Economy
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
With High-level Visits, India, US Look to Sustain Momentum Ahead of US Presidential Transition
The final India-U.S. exchanges before the Trump administration takes office set the stage for the next phase of the relationship.
How Jimmy Carter Stopped the Second Korean War
China Alleges Taiwan Is Paying Bribes for US Support
How Jimmy Carter’s Legacy Could Impact Trump’s China Policy
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
Why Indonesia is Blocking Apple From Selling the iPhone 16
Middle powers with rapidly growing economies feel they have more bargaining power than they once did – and some are not afraid to use it.
The Johor-Singapore SEZ: 1963 Reimagined?
The Return of Malaysia’s Government Investment Funds
How the Exit of US Banks From the Net-Zero Banking Alliance Threatens Climate Finance in Southeast Asia
Oceania
The South Pacific
Australia’s Population Has Grown, But Its House of Representatives Hasn’t
In the upcoming election, the Australian House of Representatives will be losing a seat – the result of a quirk in the constitution.
Erasing Taiwan: Implications of a Growing China-Solomon Islands Partnership
Christopher Luxon’s Important Trip to the UAE
Legislate First, Think Later: Déjà Vu in Australian Tech Lawmaking
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
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.