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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.
Afghanistan Fiasco Does Not Destroy US Credibility in Asia-Pacific
By Denny Roy
While the disaster unfolding in Afghanistan will have many negative consequences, it will not by itself cause the end of U.S. strategic pre-eminence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Bangladesh’s ‘Fake News’ Law Is Used to Stifle Dissent
By Saad Hammadi
Bangladesh’s crackdown on dissent tests the human rights commitment of all states.
What the Fall of Afghanistan Means for Taiwan
By Vincent Chao
Afghanistan and Taiwan have few parallels, but Taipei can still draw some important lessons from the tragic fall of Kabul.
The Last Hearing of a Khmer Rouge Leader
By Youk Chhang
The impending closure of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal must be recognized as the beginning of a new chapter in Cambodia’s search for justice.
Was Vietnam’s Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine Debacle Just a Stunt?
By Le Dong Hai Nguyen
There is a strong case to be made that the Vietnamese government leveraged ingrained anti-Chinese sentiment to boost vaccine uptake.
ASEAN Can’t Do Much More About Myanmar’s Crisis
By Adam Leong Kok Wey
The Southeast Asian bloc shouldn't be expected to take on more than it is capable of or willing to do.
Japan Was Right to Hold the Tokyo Olympics
By John Lee
The Games are a brave testament to the possibility of living with COVID-19, while keeping the worst effects at bay.
The World Needs a New Marshall Plan
By Rizal Ramli
With the pandemic causing economic devastation, the stage is perfectly set for political crises.
Myanmar Is Not a Failed State, But a Failed Coup
By Yanghee Lee, Chris Sidoti, and Marzuki Darusman
If Myanmar becomes a failed state it will only be because the outside world failed to come to the country's aid.
How Taiwan’s Mayors Helped Lead the Fight Against COVID-19
By Chingyu Yao
Citizen-centered policies and local mayors can lead Taiwan – and the world – into a better new normal even after the pandemic.
Moon Jae-in’s Stalled Odyssey to Peace in Korea
By Chung-in Moon
President Moon’s Korea Peace Initiative has faced mixed results and daunting challenges, but there are no better options.
South Asia’s Cultural Climate Is at Risk. What Can the US Do?
By Knox Thames
Encouraging South Asian nations to protect their historic multiculturalism will help reduce human rights violations, protect religious and ethnic minorities, and promote peace and stability.