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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.
Nuclear Power Plant Construction and Uranium Mining in Kyrgyzstan Pose Unacceptable Risks
By Ilgiz Kambarov
Pursuing nuclear power is a perilous path for Kyrgyzstan, especially given the country's geological instability and a lack of domestic expertise and infrastructure.
The Cracks in India’s Democracy
By Pius Fozan
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently extolled India as the “mother of democracy.” His administration’s crackdown on dissent paints a different picture.
Labor Rights Violations Persist in Uzbekistan
By Lynn Schweisfurth
Cotton producer Indorama Agro silences workers speaking out against rights violations while development banks fail to ensure compliance.
No, Cambodia’s Opposition Does Not Need to Take a Sabbatical
By Mu Sochua
A new non-partisan movement is aiming to give the large Cambodian diaspora a greater voice in the country's politics.
Why Trump’s Conflict of Interest Over a TikTok Sale Matters
By Charles Mok
Trump's sudden opposition to a potential TikTok ban deserves closer scrutiny.
When Diversity Meets Diplomacy: LGBTQ+ Experiences in Foreign Missions
By Jack Hayes
Over two dozen countries in the Asia-Pacific still criminalize same-gender relationships. We need more research on how this impacts LGBTQ+ diplomats – and you can help.
Time for a New Approach to the North Korea Problem. How About Canada?
By Chan Mo Ku
Canada, with its diplomatic experience as an honest broker and history of track two engagement with North Korea, is well-positioned to try its hand at mediation.
Time to End ‘Waste Colonialism’ Through a Global Plastics Treaty
By Mageswari Sangaralingam
Developed countries need to stop exporting their plastic trash to Asian countries under the guise of “recycling.”
The 2024 China-US AI Dialogue Should Start With an Eye on Chem-Bio Weapons
By David Heslop and Joel Keep
Washington and Beijing should focus their forthcoming AI dialogue on platforms that neither want to see in the hands of terrorist groups: those that can aid in the construction of biological and chemical weapons.
Busting 6 ‘Peak China’ Myths
By Wang Wen
A more nuanced look at China's economic indicators is necessary to understand current trends.
Afghan Women’s Woes: Beyond and Before the Taliban
By Freshta Jalalzai
Even under the previous government, horrific cases of violence against women occurred with startling frequency.
The House China Committee Should Convene a Hearing on Taiwan
By Hiro Fu
Amidst the strategic competition between the United States and China, Taiwan's encounters with Chinese aggression offer essential perspectives for U.S. policymakers and the public.