Blog
Asia Life
Sports, culture and the arts are a passion for billions in the Asia-Pacific, and offer unique insights into what makes countries here tick. From the latest cricket match to prize-winning novels and the latest art exhibitions, The Diplomat's bloggers cover it all, giving you a fresh perspective on the region.
Australia Wins Asian Cup, Discovers Soccer
By Helen Clark
Football – known as soccer locally – gets a new lease of life in Australia after a successful tournament.
Remembering Colleen McCullough
By Helen Clark
The multitalented Australian author of The Thorn Birds died last week.
Napalm Death, Joko Widodo and the Death Penalty
By Preston From
Could an underground metal band possibly influence Indonesian politics?
What Do Taylor Swift, Triple J, BuzzFeed and The Guardian Have in Common?
By Helen Clark
They are all part of a demonstration of what can happen on a slow news day.
Left Behind: The Afghan Translators Who Served With the U.S. Military
By Kyla Ryan
Too many Afghans are being left stranded, at serious risk.
The Return of Pakistan’s Premier Theater Group
By Sonya Rehman
Twice targeted by terrorists, the Rafi Peer Theater Workshop is nonetheless making a comeback.
Climate Change: Glimmers of Hope?
By Rajni Bakshi
There is little reason for optimism at the macro level. At the micro level, it is a different story.
Rula Ghani, Afghanistan’s Unusually Prominent First Lady
By Kyla Ryan
Could a high-profile first lady improve the lot of Afghanistan’s women?
Pakistan Start-Up Preserves a Disappearing Craft
By Sonya Rehman
Two young entrepreneurs are attracting attention with a start-up specializing in handmade leather shoes.
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. Will It Finally Happen?
By Samuel Chi
With Pacquiao dispatching his opponent Sunday, pressure mounts for the fight everyone wants to see.
Can Coffee Replace Opium in Southern Shan State?
By Morley J Weston
A UN initiative is trying to replace poppy cultivation with coffee in Myanmar.
The Women Who Escape From North Korea
By Kyla Ryan
North Korean women who flee their country are often targets for exploitation.