Diplomat Risk Intelligence
Insights Today – for Tomorrow
Diplomat Risk Intelligence offers you dedicated access to an exclusive network of subject matter experts on geopolitical, security, economic, and political trends covering the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Research Notes
Published by Diplomat Risk Intelligence, Research Notes
offer actionable insight to strategic decision-makers seeking to understand political risk and economic
trends in Asia.
Magazine
M
February 01, 2023
Do Pakistan-Russia Ties Have a Future?
By Salman Rafi Sheikh
There are strategic, economic, and geopolitical reasons for Islamabad to prefer ties with Washington over Moscow.

February 01, 2023
The Ebb and Flow of Protest in Thailand
By James Buchanan
With street politics halted and parliamentary politics effectively on hold until the election, Thailand feels in limbo.

February 01, 2023
Islamic State Khorasan: Global Jihad in a Multipolar World
By Lucas Webber
The Islamic State sees great opportunity in the churn of great power competition, with ISKP at the forefront of its vision of international jihad.

February 01, 2023
Beyond the Putin-Xi Relationship: China, Russia, and Great Power Politics
By Alexander Korolev
While the Putin-Xi friendship is important, it mostly oils the wheels of a relationship driven by longer-term structural trends.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
February 09, 2023
Leader From Taiwan’s KMT Starts China Trip as Beijing Ups Pressure
By Associated Press
KMT Vice Chair Andrew Hsia is on a nine-day trip to China, sparking criticism from the ruling DPP.
February 09, 2023
Data Shows China’s Coercive Diplomacy Isn’t Working
February 08, 2023
China Is Far From Alone in Experiencing Population Decline
February 07, 2023
Will Xi Jinping Make Taiwan a New Offer?
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
February 07, 2023
The Chinese Spy Balloon Incident: An Urgent Need for Communication
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
There is an urgent need for standard operating procedures and open communication, especially when it comes to technology and space.
February 06, 2023
What Does International Law Say About China’s Spy Balloon and the US Response?
February 04, 2023
Singapore Strives to Protect Consumer Data
February 03, 2023
Spy Balloon Incident Roils China-US Relations Ahead of Blinken Trip
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
February 07, 2023
India’s Aircraft Carriers Key to Indo-Pacific Strategy
By Ashok Sharma and David Rising
A refurbished Russian aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, will join the indigenously manufactured INS Vikrant soon to boost India’s power projection in the Indian Ocean.
February 05, 2023
Japan’s New Defense Direction and Its Indo-Pacific Policy
February 03, 2023
What’s Behind Proposed Changes to US Marine Deployments in Okinawa?
February 02, 2023
The Problem With European Militaries’ Indo-Pacific Push
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
February 08, 2023
It’s Time to Re-evaluate the Myanmar Military’s Intelligence Capabilities
By Amara Thiha
Recently leaked documents suggest that intelligence operatives have successfully managed to infiltrate the anti-junta resistance.
February 08, 2023
Inflation in Laos Continues to Rise, Reaches 23-Year High
February 08, 2023
Papuan Rebels Take New Zealand Pilot Hostage in Remote Area
February 07, 2023
Thailand Tightens Laws on Meth Possession Amid Regional Drug Boom
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
February 08, 2023
Sri Lankan Leader Appeals for Patience Amid Economic Crisis
By Krishan Francis
Government doctors, university teachers, and other workers from ports and the power and petroleum sectors are calling on the government to lower income taxes.
February 08, 2023
Key Ally Quits Government in Nepal
February 08, 2023
In Afghanistan, Women Give Up Freedom to Stay Alive
February 07, 2023
Why South Asia Should Embrace Climate Migration
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
February 08, 2023
Kim Jong Un Stirs Up Loyalty of KPA Officers Ahead of Military Parade
By Mitch Shin
In a speech marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), leader Kim Jong Un urged his military to faithfully inherit the revolutionary and fighting spirit.
February 08, 2023
Court Says South Korea Responsible for Vietnam War Massacre
February 07, 2023
North Korea Calls for Perfecting War Preparedness
February 03, 2023
North Korean Defectors in China Can’t Get COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
February 08, 2023
Japan Downgrades COVID-19 Threat Despite Spike in Deaths
By Thisanka Siripala
The government lowered the legal status of COVID-19 even as it grapples with a deadly outbreak.
February 07, 2023
Japan, China Hold Foreign Minister Call Days After NATO Chief’s Visit
February 01, 2023
Will Suga Yoshihide Make a Comeback?
January 28, 2023
Japan’s Population Crisis Nears Point of No Return
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
February 08, 2023
Two Ways Indonesia is Helping China Persecute the Uyghurs
By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
Jakarta has been vocal in its defense of the Rohingya and the Palestinians. So why is it being so cautious about the situation in China's Xinjiang region?
February 07, 2023
The Asia-Pacific’s Next Refugee Crisis Is Coming – Ready or Not
February 03, 2023
Hindu Nationalism on Display in India’s G20 Presidency
February 02, 2023
The United States Risks Being Complicit in the Myanmar Junta’s Atrocities
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
February 07, 2023
The Winds of Change: The Social and Political Cost of Climate Inaction in Central Asia
By Murod Ismailov
Climate change may be an “accelerant” for global cooperation, but it also poses significant social, political, and geopolitical challenges in Central Asia.
February 07, 2023
Kyrgyzstan’s Media Under Pressure
February 02, 2023
Cold Snap and Electricity Shortages Slam Central Asia, Afghanistan
February 02, 2023
A Gender Perspective on HIV Prevalence in Uzbekistan
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
February 08, 2023
What the Partisan Conflict Over Ilhan Omar Means for China-US Relations
By Jiachen Shi
Omar – and other progressive Democrats – seem to be pivoting toward a harder line stance on China as they come under Republican fire.
February 04, 2023
iCET: Strengthening the India-US Tech Agenda
February 03, 2023
Europe’s Misgivings About Sanctions Don’t Bode Well for US Export Controls
February 01, 2023
US Burma Act Uplifts the Resistance Movement in Myanmar
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
February 08, 2023
Where Are Southeast Asia’s Tech Companies Headed?
By James Guild
There is a wide gap between the performance of leading tech firms and the wider economies of the region.
February 08, 2023
Mitsubishi Scraps Development of Japan’s Homegrown Jet
February 02, 2023
Sun Cable’s Collapse and the Australian Role in Southeast Asia’s Energy Transition
February 02, 2023
Western Investors Are Losing the Ability to Shape the Future of Cambodian Microfinance
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
February 07, 2023
Australia, New Zealand Leaders Focus on China in First Meeting
By Rod McGuirk
On his first overseas trip, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins emphasized continuity with the Ardern government's foreign policy.
February 07, 2023
China-Australia Trade Ministers Hold 1st Meeting Since 2019
February 02, 2023
History’s Shadow Looms Over Fiji
January 31, 2023
Australia’s Nauru Conundrum
Videos
Asia on Video
VPodcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
February 07, 2023
What the Chinese Surveillance Balloon Incident Tells Us About US-China Relations
By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz
A U.S. F-22 shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon that lingered in U.S. territorial airspace for days. What now?
January 27, 2023
The Drivers and Consequences of Vietnam’s January 2023 Political Shake-Up
January 09, 2023
Locking Horns With the Khmer Rouge
January 06, 2023
A New Defense Era: Japan’s 2022 National Security Strategy
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
January 31, 2023
Kashmir Welcomes Rahul Gandhi and His Bharat Jodo Yatra
By Numan Bhat and Mehroob Mushtaq
The politician's Unite India March ended on January 30 in Srinagar, where he was welcomed by local politicians.