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The Debate
The Debate is our home for the best opinions from around Asia. Whether it is negotiating with Iran, responding to North Korean provocations, discussing Japan's looming demographic issues, or considering the new balance of power in the Asia-Pacific, some of the region's leading thinkers offer their take.
Why Duterte’s Controversies Are No Laughing Matter
By Luke Hunt
Duterte's 'jokes' reveal a lack of respect for institutions, the rule of law, and the Philippine people.
Japan’s Hostage Justice System
By Brad Adams
If Japan wants to live up to its reputation as one of the world’s most advanced democracies, it needs to modernize its criminal justice system.
The Beginning of the US Endgame in Afghanistan
By Nicolas Johnston
Expect to see the U.S. establish further political alternatives intended to counterbalance China’s influence in Central Asia.
How Iran and Pakistan Matter for a Post-US Withdrawal Afghan Landscape
By Adam Weinstein
Strained relations with Pakistan coupled with a hostile posture toward Iran leave Washington stranded in Afghanistan.
The Forgotten Cold War Sacrifices of the Afghan People
By M. Ashraf Haidari
Misconceptions about the Soviet invasion point to a larger problem about the way the world thinks about Afghanistan.
Traversing the South China Sea: Safety First
By Muhammad Taufan
The territorial disputes get all the press, but the real threats to shipping are far more mundane.
The Increasingly Toxic Political Climate for American Analysts of US-China Relations
By Mark J. Valencia
Anyone critical of the hardening U.S. approach to China is now facing attack. That doesn't bode well for U.S. policymaking.
Reforming the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty for New Realities
By Saurabh Todi
It’s time to amend the NPT to bring India and Pakistan into the fold as nuclear weapons states.
How President Xi Jinping Is Misreading Taiwan
By Gerrit van der Wees
Xi's January 2 remarks betrayed three fundamental misunderstandings of the Taiwan situation.
The US Justice Department Is Just Getting Started Against State-Backed Hackers
By Ankit Panda
Zhu Hua and Zhang Shilong are unlikely to be the last alleged state-backed hackers to be indicted by the United States.
The Bell Tolls on Bangladesh's Democracy
By Tamim Choudhury
The promise of economic stability at the cost of democracy continues.
The Unpredictable, Conflicting Structure of the New Cold War
By Mie Oba
The U.S. and China may be starting a new Cold War, but it will be quite different from the last one.