Top Stories
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October 22, 2021
Is Russia Starting to Sour on China?
By Yuan Jiang
A prominent Russian analyst thinks the high point of Sino-Russian cooperation has passed.
October 20, 2021
Can Russia and Mongolia Replace Australia’s Coal Supply to China?
By Bolor Lkhaajav
As China grapples with an energy shortage, it is increasingly looking to source coal from its northern neighbors.
October 20, 2021
Investors Spooked by Myanmar Crisis as Economy Braces for Free Fall
By Dominic Oo and John Liu
The February coup has rapidly unwound a decade of economic progress, while foreign investors are headed for the exits.
October 19, 2021
A Remote Corner of Afghanistan Offers a Peek Into the Future of the Country
By Franz J. Marty
In Kamdesh, Nuristan, where U.S. forces withdrew more than a decade ago, the American presence is a distant – and negative – memory for many locals.
DRI | Report
DRI
DRI REPORT NO. 5
Dense Grey Webs
Cyber Risks and Trends in the Asia-Pacific
COVID-19 in Asia
October 27, 2021
Malaysia Plans to Avoid Another COVID-19 Disaster During State Polls
By Alifah Zainuddin
Local authorities must figure out the safest way to cast a ballot to avoid another virus outbreak.
October 26, 2021
How Can Australia Rethink Its Immigration Policies?
By Grant Wyeth
As it approaches a post-pandemic recovery, Canberra has an opportunity to strategically recalibrate its immigration policies.
October 26, 2021
Li Zhang on China, COVID-19 and Global Capitalism
By Catherine Putz
When searching for the origins of the pandemic, we shouldn’t overlook the role played by capitalism in paving a path for the disease.
October 26, 2021
Australia and New Zealand Prepare to Reopen
By Joshua Mcdonald
Closed off from the world for the past 18 months, Australia and New Zealand are now preparing to reopen.
Magazine
M
October 01, 2021
Samoa: Fiame’s Uphill Climb
By Amalyah Hart and Joshua Mcdonald
Samoa has its first-ever female prime minister, and the first new leader in 22 years. But Fiame Naomi Mata’afa comes to power at a fraught time.
October 01, 2021
Peace vs. Democracy in Cambodia
By Andrew Nachemson
The 1991 Paris Peace Accords had two primary goals: ending civil war and setting up democracy. One of those goals was achieved; the other has never looked less likely.
October 01, 2021
The Making of Mirziyoyev’s Uzbekistan
By Bruce Pannier
As Mirziyoyev gears up for his second term, Uzbekistan’s foreign relations and economy are moving forward, but political and social reforms are lagging.
October 01, 2021
Beijing and the UN, 50 Years On
By Rosemary Foot
Since taking over the China seat in the United Nations, Beijing’s approach to the global body has encompassed both ambivalence and ambition.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
October 28, 2021
Chinese Overfishing Highlights Environmental Crisis in the Taiwan Strait
By Wen Lii
The massive numbers of Chinese squid fishing boats near Matsu are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the environmental threat.
October 27, 2021
How BRI Debt Puts China at Risk
October 25, 2021
Chen Po-wei Is the Latest Victim of Taiwan’s ‘Recall Revenge’
October 25, 2021
Taiwan Says it is ‘Preparing For War,’ But Are Taiwanese Mentally Ready?
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
October 26, 2021
Time to Pursue Arms Control With North Korea
By Manseok Lee
While it has risks, implementing an arms control process would be the most promising way to guard against conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
October 22, 2021
It’s Time for the Quad to Chart a Bold Course on Space Governance
October 22, 2021
How UAVs Could Spark a Military Conflict in the Taiwan Strait
October 22, 2021
A Quad for the Middle East?
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
October 22, 2021
How Indonesia’s Defense Ministry Has Changed Under Prabowo Subianto
By Jefferson Ng
Since his appointment in 2019, the former general has strengthened the Ministry's position vis-à-vis the country's powerful military.
October 21, 2021
What Do People in Taiwan Think About Their Military?
October 21, 2021
What’s the Deal With Myanmar’s New Coast Guard?
October 20, 2021
What’s Next for Indonesia-Vietnam Defense Relations?
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
October 28, 2021
Thailand’s Escalating Crackdown on Dissent
By Pornpen Khongkachonkiet
Thailand may be opening up to tourists, but for many activists it is still a prison.
October 27, 2021
US, China, Russia Join Asia Summit Amid Regional Disputes
October 27, 2021
Malaysia Plans to Avoid Another COVID-19 Disaster During State Polls
October 27, 2021
A Facade of Progress: Singapore’s Response to Climate Change
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
October 27, 2021
Don’t Overhype India’s Kashmir Security Problem
By Rajeev Agarwal
The threat in Kashmir pales in comparison to the 1990s – and India is in a much stronger position as well.
October 27, 2021
Tumultuous Days Ahead for Prime Minister Imran Khan
October 27, 2021
Kashmir Students Face Terror Law for Cheering Pakistan’s Cricket Win
October 26, 2021
India’s Role in Communal Violence in Bangladesh
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
October 27, 2021
Can Moon’s Final Attempt to End the Korean War Work?
By Mitch Shin
South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for an end-of-war declaration in his U.N. address, but the other countries involved have different goals.
October 22, 2021
The Foreign Policy Outlook of South Korea’s Ruling Party Presidential Candidate
October 22, 2021
South Korea Test Launches 1st Domestically Made Space Rocket
October 19, 2021
Why Is North Korea Launching So Many Missiles?
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
October 27, 2021
Japan’s Princess Mako Marries Commoner, Loses Royal Status
By Mari Yamaguchi
The couple will move together to New York to start a new life after facing intense scrutiny and criticism in Japan.
October 26, 2021
Can Japan Be a Bridge Between AUKUS and ASEAN?
October 26, 2021
Japan’s Ruling Party Sees By-election Setback in Preview of Sunday’s Vote
October 18, 2021
Japan Leader Calls for Greater Military Capability, Spending
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
October 27, 2021
Without China, Efforts to Reverse Deforestation Will Fail
By Luciana Tellez-Chavez
Demand -- for lumber, meat, soybeans, and other goods -- is driving deforestation around the world. And China is a major customer.
October 26, 2021
World Stands by as a COVID Crisis Unfolds in Papua New Guinea
October 26, 2021
Can COP26 Become a Turning Point for Gender Responsive Climate Action?
October 25, 2021
Shrinking Space for Religious Minorities in Sri Lanka
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
October 28, 2021
Central Asia’s FemAgora Festival Embraces Cyberfeminism
By Colleen Wood
In its fourth year, the FemAgora festival adopts an unabashed cyberfeminist approach to activism.
October 27, 2021
China’s Security Infrastructure Continues to Grow in Tajikistan
October 27, 2021
EU-Uzbekistan: Long Way to an Enhanced Partnership
October 26, 2021
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s European Tour
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
October 25, 2021
Biden, Taiwan, and Strategic Ambiguity
By Dennis V. Hickey
Even U.S. presidents apparently need a primer on the U.S. stance on Taiwan’s defense.
October 22, 2021
US Leadership Could Change Course of Myanmar’s Human Rights Crisis
October 22, 2021
Biden’s Nominee for Singapore Ambassador Pledges to Bolster Economic, Security Ties
October 21, 2021
The Biden Administration Has Shown Unwavering Support for Taiwan
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
October 27, 2021
With Tech-Driven Rebound, Asian Markets Turn Corner on Evergrande Crisis
By Dmytro Spilka
After a tumultuous third quarter, Asian markets appear to be embarking on recovery following fears of an Evergrande default.
October 26, 2021
Vietnam’s Metro Rail Lines Lumber Toward Completion
October 19, 2021
Breaking Down Indonesia’s 2022 State Budget
October 15, 2021
A Turning Point for Renewable Energy in Indonesia?
Oceania
The South Pacific
OOctober 26, 2021
How Can Australia Rethink Its Immigration Policies?
By Grant Wyeth
As it approaches a post-pandemic recovery, Canberra has an opportunity to strategically recalibrate its immigration policies.
October 26, 2021
Australia and New Zealand Prepare to Reopen
October 25, 2021
The Economic and Security Imperatives of Scott Morrison’s Climate Commitment
October 25, 2021
With Strong State Backing, Australian Telco Purchases Pacific Network Digicel
Videos
Asia on Video
V
September 08, 2021
Where Does the China-India Border Dispute Stand?
Alka Acharya, M. Taylor Fravel, Lin Minwang, Lu Yang, and Sushant Singh discuss the state of the border today and the future of China-India relations.
August 10, 2021
Myanmar, Six Months After the Coup
July 17, 2021
Where Did COVID-19 Come From?
July 07, 2021
Webinar Alert: Where Did COVID-19 Come From?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
October 15, 2021
The Inter-Korean Missile Race Picks Up the Pace
By Ankit Panda
Both North and South Korea demonstrated a wide range of new missile capabilities in September 2021. What’s driving their arms race?
October 13, 2021
Seismic Shifts in Geopolitics and the Challenge for ASEAN
September 28, 2021
AUKUS and the Indo-Pacific: Geopolitics, Technology, and Deterrence
September 27, 2021
Indonesia: Dividing the Spoils
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
September 23, 2021
Vaccination in an Indian Border District: Against All Odds
By Rajeev Bhattacharya
Treacherous terrain, poor connectivity, and low population density makes the vaccination drive in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley extremely challenging.