Top Stories
TOP
December 01, 2021
Which Asia-Pacific Countries Were (and Weren’t) Invited to the US Summit for Democracy?
By Shannon Tiezzi
The guest list underscores the region’s ambivalent relationship with democracy and political freedom.
November 26, 2021
Sri Lanka Bows to Chinese Pressure Again
By Sudha Ramachandran
Colombo has agreed to pay millions of dollars to a Chinese company that has reportedly supplied it with contaminated organic fertilizer.
November 25, 2021
Japan’s New Pandemic Border Restrictions Disappoint Residents Stranded Abroad
By Thisanka Siripala
Many foreign residents have had their hopes to enter Japan dashed as new border controls make little impact.
November 24, 2021
Myanmar’s Army Is Fighting a Multi-Front War
By Robert Bociaga
Is the Tatmadaw getting overstretched?
Diplomat Risk Intelligence Analyses That Help You Act Today – For Tomorrow
Report
Afghanistan and Taliban 2.0
August 2021
A DRI report on Afghanistan following the return of the Taliban regime to Kabul looks at the international security and geopolitical implications of the development.
Access the Report
Trendlines
Here Be Dragons?
October 2021
A data-driven deep dive into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, situating it within the overall context of Pakistan’s economy.
Access Trendlines
Asia Review
Russian Games and the Asia-Pacific
November 26, 2021
Putin’s disruptive behavior in Europe could upset geopolitical calculi of key Asia-Pacific powers.
Read Newsletter
Majlis
Australia and an Indo-Pacific in Flux
October 2021
Australia is making headlines. Let three leading experts from the country tell you about the forces shaping how Canberra is looking at world.
Watch Webinar
Future Tense
Chinese Nuclear Weapons: A View From Beijing
November 25, 2021
Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy's Tong Zhao discusses drivers behind China's nuclear weapons expansion, how Beijing perceives the international strategic environment, and much more.
Listen to Podcast
Magazine
M
December 01, 2021
Asia After the Soviet Union
Five experts explore the legacy of the USSR and the impact of its collapse on China, India, Japan, the Koreas, and Vietnam.
December 01, 2021
Manolo Quezon III on Philippine Democracy and the 2022 Election
By Sebastian Strangio
The race is on for the Philippine presidency, but has the country’s democracy entered a terminal phase?
November 01, 2021
Southeast Asia’s Renewable Energy Puzzle
By James Guild
Renewable energy is a tough sell as long as regional states exert control over (and profit from) domestic fossil fuel resources.
November 01, 2021
Sustainability and Survival: North Korea’s Struggle With Climate Change
By Gabriela Bernal
North Korea is increasingly impacted by climate-induced natural disasters, yet its weak economy will hamper growing calls for environmental action.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
November 30, 2021
Despite Xi’s Pledge, China Is Financing Coal Power Plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina
By Wawa Wang and Nils Resare
Despite a pledge to stop financing coal power abroad, overseas coal power plants financed by Chinese banks and state-owned enterprises are still moving forward - including in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
November 29, 2021
China’s Subnational Influence at Work in the New York State Legislature
November 29, 2021
Are African Governments Expecting Too Much From FOCAC?
November 24, 2021
Where Is the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Headed Next?
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
December 01, 2021
Even Duterte Can’t Get Around the Thorn in China-Philippine Relations
By Bonnie Girard
The South China Sea continues to be a perennial flashpoint, despite Duterte's best efforts to keep relations on an even keel.
November 26, 2021
Nuclear Proliferation Concerns in East Asia: Beyond North Korea
November 23, 2021
Changing the Discourse on China’s Taiwan Policy
November 20, 2021
Why Africa Should Be Concerned With Increasing Tensions in the East and South China Sea
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
November 29, 2021
Time to Revise the Japan Coast Guard Act?
By TSURUTA Jun
Japan must be ready to respond calmly and resolutely to crises in its territorial waters.
November 25, 2021
S-400s, CAATSA Complicate India-US Ties
November 19, 2021
How Useful Is North Korea’s Railroad Missile Launching System?
November 14, 2021
The Threat of a Sino-Russian Fleet Circumnavigating Japan
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
December 01, 2021
The Human Cost of Myanmar’s Coup Continues to Mount
By Sebastian Strangio
A new survey from UNDP reveals the impact of the coup on everyday life in Myanmar, and the desperate steps people are taking to survive.
December 01, 2021
Indonesia: Farewell to Joe Cochrane
December 01, 2021
Former Duterte Aide Bows Out of Philippine Presidential Race
November 30, 2021
An Optimistic Outlook for ASEAN and China
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
December 01, 2021
Why Is Beijing Going Nuts for Afghan Pine Nuts?
By Ajmal Waziri and Raffaello Pantucci
The trade offers concrete and immediate benefits to both the Chinese government and the Taliban.
November 30, 2021
Taliban’s Reign of Terror Belies Promise of Amnesty
November 30, 2021
Equality or Fraternity? Challenges of India’s New Constituency Delimitation
November 29, 2021
A Thorn in Pakistan-Bangladesh Relations
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
November 25, 2021
Why Has North Korea Struggled to Normalize Trade With China?
By Troy Stangarone
Since North Korea slammed its borders shut in the initial stage of the pandemic, it has made several motions toward resuming normal trade. None has panned out.
November 24, 2021
Ex-South Korean Strongman Chun Doo-hwan Dies at Age 90
November 23, 2021
Moon’s Inter-Korea Peace Process Deadlocked in China-US Tensions
November 20, 2021
How to Deliver Relief to North Koreans Without Lifting Sanctions
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
RNovember 25, 2021
Japan’s New Pandemic Border Restrictions Disappoint Residents Stranded Abroad
By Thisanka Siripala
Many foreign residents have had their hopes to enter Japan dashed as new border controls make little impact.
November 25, 2021
Will Japan-South Korea Relations Ever Get Back on Track?
November 24, 2021
Japan, Vietnam Look to Cyber Defense Against China
November 16, 2021
A New Flashpoint in Japan-Korea Relations
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
December 01, 2021
AI Strategic Competition, Norms, and the Ethics of Global Empire
By Joseph Bouchard
Western democracies should play an active role in shaping the norms governing artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.
November 24, 2021
The Indo-Pacific Exposes the Regionalisms of ‘Global’ Britain
November 25, 2021
Australia’s Relationship With India Is Concerning
November 23, 2021
Where Are ‘New’ Uzbekistan’s Promised Reforms?
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
November 30, 2021
Kazakhstan’s Poet, Political Dissident Aron Atabek Dies
By Paolo Sorbello
Atabek had served 15 years in prison and died just weeks after his release.
November 30, 2021
How to Make Samarkand a Truly Green City
November 29, 2021
No Place for Afghan Refugees in Central Asia
November 29, 2021
Low Turnout, Technical Glitches, Mar Kyrgyzstan’s Parliamentary Polls
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
VDecember 01, 2021
Which Asia-Pacific Countries Were (and Weren’t) Invited to the US Summit for Democracy?
By Shannon Tiezzi
The guest list underscores the region’s ambivalent relationship with democracy and political freedom.
November 30, 2021
Europe and the US: From Divergence to Convergence on China?
November 30, 2021
Top US Asia Diplomat Embarks on Swing Through Southeast Asia
November 24, 2021
After 4 Years as Pawn in China-US Game, Seattle Man Is Home
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
November 30, 2021
Thai Telcos Dtac and True Are Planning a Merger
By James Guild
If approved, the merger between the two firms will create the country's largest telecommunications firm.
November 25, 2021
The Idiosyncrasies of China’s Bond Market
November 23, 2021
Thailand’s PTT Makes Its Electric Vehicle Play
November 23, 2021
China’s Risky Investments: Wealth Management Products and Corporate Bonds
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
November 30, 2021
Strong Showing for the Pacific at Biden’s Summit for Democracy
By Grant Wyeth
The Pacific Islands have not been overlooked by the White House, although the region’s democracies face challenges, too.
November 26, 2021
Violent Protests Unsettle Solomon Islands
November 26, 2021
Is China to Blame for Solomon Islands Unrest?
November 25, 2021
Australia Sending Troops to Solomon Islands as Unrest Grows
Videos
Asia on Video
V
November 24, 2021
AUKUS’ Reception in the Indo-Pacific
Shihoko Goto, Manjari Chatterjee Miller, and Susannah Patton discuss the implications of AUKUS for countries in the region.
October 29, 2021
Can China and the US Cooperate on Climate Change?
September 08, 2021
Where Does the China-India Border Dispute Stand?
August 10, 2021
Myanmar, Six Months After the Coup
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
November 20, 2021
Biden, Xi, and the Importance of Guardrails in the US-China Relationship
By Ankit Panda, Catherine Putz, and Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz
The United States and China aren’t satisfied with their relationship, but both sides appear to be interested in managing their differences.
November 13, 2021
Afghanistan, Then and Now
November 04, 2021
Continuity and Flux in Central Asia: Elections in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
November 01, 2021
The Shifting Nature of India-China Relations
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
November 01, 2021
On the Eve of Reopening, Thai Protesters Take to the Streets Again
By Cory Wright
Protesters’ demands remain the same: a constitutional overhaul, new elections and a reform of the monarchy.