Most Read
South Korean Women Have Another Digital Sex Crime to Worry About: Deepfake Porn
Weak protections in cases of sexual violence, whether physical or digital, and deeply entrenched misogyny in society create a toxic environment for Korean women.
Johor and Malaysia’s Data Center Boom
A massive ramp-up in data centers is attracting foreign investment, but infrastructure challenges persist.
What Does the Chinese Public Think of the China-India Border Patrol Deal?
The first public reactions to the border agreement reflect a deep suspicion of New Delhi’s “cheap tricks” and fear that Beijing is being naive.
Magazine
How Jokowi Conquered Indonesian Politics
He’s long been the most popular politician in the country. But will his 10 years in power leave a lasting legacy?
Kazakhstan’s Nuclear Power Conundrum
What is true and not in the arguments for and against nuclear power in Kazakhstan? Why does Russia loom so large in this debate? And is the government listening to the people?
The 75-Year Quest to Make China Great Again
On the surface, there is little that connects Xi Jinping’s PRC to that of Mao and Deng. But a closer examination of Xi’s rejuvenation strategy reveals an enduring set of political and economic principles and a high degree of policy continuity.
Moonis Ahmar on the Future of Bangladesh-Pakistan Relations
“Pakistan’s alignment with the BNP or Jamaat has always been counterproductive.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
China Tries to Blot out Tibetan Criticism of Mining Firm’s Damage to the Environment
Tsowo Tsering says sand mining is disrupting his community and endangers the international water supply. His supporters fear he risks jail for speaking out online.
The Resumption of China-US Military Dialogue and the Limits of the Thaw
Taiwan’s Quiet Diplomacy Speaks Volumes in Europe
China’s Battle for Narratives in Africa
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
BRICS Summit Was a Vote of Support for Global Governance Reform, Not for Russia
Ideological politics is not on the agenda for these states, but economics, climate, and food security are.
Why Taiwan Should be Disheartened by Iran’s Missile Strike on Israel
Anti-Western or Non-Western? The Nuanced Geopolitics of BRICS
How Should South Korea Respond to North Korean Troops in Ukraine?
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
How the Indian Navy Is Expanding Its Presence in the Indo-Pacific Through ‘Goodwill Visits’
The Indian Navy's goodwill visits to Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region play a crucial role in advancing New Delhi’s foreign policy objectives.
Does Ishiba’s ‘Asian NATO’ Spell Trouble for the Japan-US Alliance?
What’s Behind the China-Thailand ‘Strike-2024’ Exercise?
The Thai Air Force Chose a New Fighter. The More Interesting Question Is What Comes Next.
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
In Senate Testimony, Former Philippine President Duterte Defends ‘Drug War’
Rodrigo Duterte said that he had "no apologies, no excuses" for the campaign of violence, which involved thousands of extrajudicial killings.
Why Vietnam Doesn’t Have to Worry About the Outcome of the US Election
House Arrest Bill Not Related to Najib Case, Malaysia’s Government Says
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Inaugurates Cabinet With Military-Style Retreat
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Sentence Handed Down in Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Bribery Case
Jeromy Pittmann was convicted of providing false recommendation letters to more than 20 SIV applicants in exchange for bribes, undermining an already beleaguered program.
The Handmaiden of Media Oligarchies in India
Can Parliament’s Increased Influence Over Appointment of Judges Lead to Political Stability in Pakistan?
The State-Owned Company at the Center of Taliban Plans for Self-Sufficiency
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
Can the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team Tackle North Korea’s Sanctions Evasion?
After Russia ended the U.N. Panel of Experts, a group of U.S. allies has created their own alternative. But with China and Russia showing little interest in cooperating, progress will be difficult.
Drones Over Pyongyang? North Korea’s Official Narrative Meets Internal Skepticism
K-pop Idol Tears and International Ripples
The India-South Korea-US Triad’s Emerging Roles in the Indo-Pacific
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
In ‘Exceptionally Harsh Judgement’ From Japan’s Public, LDP Loses Its Majority
Despite losing 69 seats, the LDP is still hoping to form a government through a new coalition.
The Transformation of Japanese Politics and New Japan-Taiwan Relations
Shohei Ohtani, Japan’s Baseball Ambassador
Berlin’s Peace Statue Faces Removal Amid Japanese Pressure
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
What Does a Woman’s Appointment as Prime Minister in Sri Lanka Teach the World About Gender Equality?
Having a woman as national leader is no guarantee of gender equality, as Sri Lanka’s case demonstrates.
A Dark Day for Thailand: Continued Impunity for the Tak Bai Massacre
What’s Happened to Cambodia’s Thinking Class?
Prabowo Heralds an Uncertain Future For Fundamental Freedoms in Indonesia
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
30 Year Sentence for Group 24 Leader in Tajikistan After Forced Disappearance
A member of the group, also kidnapped from Turkiye earlier this year, was given a 20 year sentence. The exact charges are unknown.
Uzbekistan’s Parliament Election Boosts Ruling Party
After UNGA: How Did Central Asia Address (or Not) the Russia-Ukraine Conflict?
A Close Call in Tashkent: Allamjonov Survives Assassination Attempt
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
Reimagining Strategic Denial in the Indo-Pacific for Contemporary Competition With China
Today the threat to U.S. interests posed by adversaries has become much more multi-faceted. The understanding of strategic denial must also evolve.
Nippon Steel’s Bid for US Steel: National Security Concerns or Political Grandstanding?
‘De-risking’ vs. ‘Strategic Decoupling’: Understanding Harris’ and Trump’s Approaches to Economic Security
The US Risks Irrelevance in Asia
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
The Philippines’ 2025 Budget, Explained
The expanded budget confirms the Marcos administration's commitment to financing scaled up public spending by borrowing and running deficits.
Vietnam Signs Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement With UAE
Nobel Prize-Winning Research Highlights Cambodia’s History of Extractive Institutions
Johor and Malaysia’s Data Center Boom
Oceania
The South Pacific
Could Australia’s Economy Survive Trump’s Position on China?
On rules of international trade, Canberra is more aligned with Beijing than Washington. How could the next U.S. president impact the relationship?
Climate and China Weigh on How the US Views Pacific Relations
What Can Be Done About Australia’s Declining Birthrate?
Australia’s Response to Atrocities: A Tale of 2 Tragedies
Videos
Asia on Video
What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
Chiang Min-yen, a non-resident fellow at the Taiwan Economic Democracy Union, joins The Diplomat to discuss the concerns over the bill, the China factor, and what comes next.
What’s Behind Vietnam’s Political Upheaval?
The Danger of China’s Digital Silk Road
What Will China’s Shift From Oil Mean for Saudi Arabia and Russia?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
Voters Show up in Record Numbers to Kick off Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections
Eight constituencies in the Jammu region and 16 from the Kashmir Valley voted on the first phase of assembly elections. Two more rounds of voting remain.