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 21, 2021
India Hits 1 Billion Vaccine Doses
By Krutika Pathi
However, there is a huge gap between the numbers who have received one shot and those who are fully immunized.
October 20, 2021
Thailand to Cease Using Sinovac Vaccines After Supplies Are Exhausted
By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement follows queries about the efficacy of the Chinese vaccine, the world’s most widely used COVID-19 jab.
October 19, 2021
Can the COVID-19 Playbook Prepare Nations For the Next Pandemic?
By Alifah Zainuddin
The fight against the coronavirus pandemic is often likened to a war, and every war needs a plan.
October 15, 2021
Why Vaccine Hesitancy is Rising Among Thailand’s Youth
By Wichuta Teeratanabodee
Many young Thais are deeply suspicious of the current government and its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 25, 2021
Chen Po-wei Is the Latest Victim of Taiwan’s ‘Recall Revenge’
By Brian Hioe
Another progressive young politician was recalled, part of a broader wave of recalls backed by the opposition KMT.
October 25, 2021
Taiwan Says it is ‘Preparing For War,’ But Are Taiwanese Mentally Ready?
October 23, 2021
Red Flag River and China’s Downstream Neighbors
October 22, 2021
Is Russia Starting to Sour on China?
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
October 22, 2021
It’s Time for the Quad to Chart a Bold Course on Space Governance
By Ankit Panda and Benjamin Silverstein
The Quad countries should consult on space situational awareness, conjunction avoidance, and orbital debris issues.
October 22, 2021
How UAVs Could Spark a Military Conflict in the Taiwan Strait
October 22, 2021
A Quad for the Middle East?
October 21, 2021
New Rule From US Commerce May Help Limit Spread of North Korean Cybercrime
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 25, 2021
Myanmar Junta Decries Exclusion of Coup Leader From ASEAN Summit
By Sebastian Strangio
After initially appearing to take ASEAN's decision on the chin, the military government has stiffened its position.
October 22, 2021
Malaysian FM Calls for ‘Soul-Searching’ Over ASEAN Non-Interference
October 22, 2021
Does It Matter If Myanmar’s Junta Leader Is Banned From the ASEAN Summit?
October 21, 2021
US, Thailand Mull Crossborder Myanmar Aid Delivery Plan
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
October 26, 2021
Facebook Dithered in Curbing Divisive User Content in India
By Sheikh Saaliq and Krutika Pathi
Internal company documents on India highlight Facebook's constant struggles in quashing abusive content.
October 25, 2021
India’s Main Opposition Party Suffers a Crisis in Punjab
October 25, 2021
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan Again Signals its Street Power
October 25, 2021
Why Is the World Ignoring Repatriation of Rohingya Refugees?
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
October 22, 2021
The Foreign Policy Outlook of South Korea’s Ruling Party Presidential Candidate
By Hae Kyung Ahn
The Democratic Party has a presidential candidate: Governor Lee Jae-myung. Where does he stand on inter-Korean and foreign relations?
October 22, 2021
South Korea Test Launches 1st Domestically Made Space Rocket
October 19, 2021
Why Is North Korea Launching So Many Missiles?
October 16, 2021
Silencing North Korean Memory in South Korea
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
October 26, 2021
Japan’s Ruling Party Sees By-election Setback in Preview of Sunday’s Vote
By Mari Yamaguchi
The Liberal Democratic Party went 1-for-2 in the by-elections, raising the odds the LDP will lose ground in the general election on October 31.
October 18, 2021
Japan Leader Calls for Greater Military Capability, Spending
October 16, 2021
How Will Japan’s Cybersecurity Posture Impact its Relations With China?
October 14, 2021
What Does a Kishida Government Mean for Japan-Russia Economic Relations?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
October 25, 2021
Must Taiwan Remain Invisible for the Next 50 Years?
By Yu-Jie Chen
On the 50th anniversary of the U.N.’s Resolution on Chinese representation, it’s time to rethink Taiwan’s role in the world.
October 25, 2021
Telenor in Myanmar: Norway’s Human Rights Reputation Is On the Line
October 22, 2021
Why Cambodia’s Military History Is So Important for National Security
October 21, 2021
The Case for Renaming TECRO
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
October 25, 2021
Uzbek President Secures 2nd Term in Flawed Election
By Catherine Putz
The OSCE election monitoring mission says reforms under Mirziyoyev "have not yet resulted in a genuinely pluralistic environment."
October 21, 2021
Kazakhstan Still Has a Protest Problem
October 20, 2021
Russia Hosts Afghan Talks, Calls for Inclusive Government
October 20, 2021
Could Russia’s Buddhist Republics Complicate Relations With China?
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 19, 2021
Breaking Down Indonesia’s 2022 State Budget
By James Guild
In 2022, the state intends to continue its robust spending on the areas most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: health and social assistance.
October 15, 2021
A Turning Point for Renewable Energy in Indonesia?
October 13, 2021
Doubling Down on Tourism Today will Constrain Cambodia’s Policy Options Tomorrow
October 12, 2021
What the AidData Report Reveals About BRI Lending in Southeast Asia
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
October 25, 2021
The Economic and Security Imperatives of Scott Morrison’s Climate Commitment
By Philip Citowicki
There's a long way to go, but the Australian leader's pledge could reconfigure the public debate around climate issues.
October 25, 2021
With Strong State Backing, Australian Telco Purchases Pacific Network Digicel
October 22, 2021
Does AUKUS Violate the Pledge of a Nuclear-Free South Pacific? China Thinks It Might.
October 22, 2021
The Geopolitics Behind the New Zealand-UK Free Trade Agreement
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.