Blog
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.
Uzbekistan Should Do More to Help Afghans
By Mihra Rittman and Hugh Williamson
Tashkent has assisted Western countries in evacuating some Afghans, but Uzbekistan can and should do more.
Rebooting the Japan-US Alliance
By Kenzo Fujisue
With economy increasingly becoming the new decisive battlespace in the looming China-U.S. Cold War, the alliance needs an urgent reboot.
Ahead of Hong Kong Elections, Companies Must Act to Protect Digital Rights
By Angeli Datt and Isabel Linzer
The private sector may be forced to choose between enabling and resisting state repression.
Hostage Diplomacy Is Against China’s Interests
By Susana Malcorra
Normalized relations between China and the West should not be taken for granted. The fates of the two Michaels are test cases for the direction Beijing chooses.
Afghanistan Shows White Privilege in Action on the Geopolitical Stage
By Chandran Nair
Western exceptionalism and privilege have long been entrenched in geopolitics – and war.
Rohingya Refugee Children Are Being Denied an Education
By Habibu Rahman
The only education accessible to children in the world’s largest refugee settlement is provided by a network of unsupported community-based Rohingya schools.
On Day of the Disappeared, US Has Eyes on Bangladesh
By Carolyn Nash
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a hearing on increasing use of enforced disappearance to silence dissent, undermine independent media, and intimidate human rights advocates in Bangladesh.
The World Must Act to Avert a Humanitarian Catastrophe in Afghanistan
By Mary-Ellen McGroarty
An even greater tide of hunger is at Afghanistan’s doorstep as food supplies dwindle and prices soar.
The Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan: Who Is Really to Blame?
By Rajeev Agarwal
The U.S. is far from blameless, but it is not solely responsible for the Taliban's rapid takeover.
Why Is Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University Afraid of Academic Freedom?
By Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal
At many Thai universities, academic freedom does not extend to searching criticisms of the political and economic status quo.
Containing the Taliban after America’s Defeat
By Mark S. Cogan and Paul D. Scott
Western nations should swiftly move to restrict the space, capability, authority of the new Taliban regime in Kabul.
Why the Quad Needs to Improve Its Economic Game
By Mukesh Aghi
Trade, investment, and supply chain security need to be high on the agenda of the four-nation grouping.