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October 13, 2021
Why Is China Looking to Establish Banks in Nigeria?
By Oluwatosin Adeshokan
For China, the establishment of banks in Nigeria presents an opportunity to further integrate itself with the financial systems of the African continent.
October 12, 2021
Thailand to Introduce Quarantine-Free Travel for Selected Visitors
By Sebastian Strangio
The move marks an acceleration of the country’s timetable for the restart of its economically pivotal tourism industry.
October 11, 2021
A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China’s Carrier Airwing Development
By Rick Joe
Despite the Indian Navy's head start in the 1990s, China's carrier capabilities and virtually all carrier-relevant industries have overtaken India's in scale and sophistication.
October 08, 2021
Philippines Presidential Race: Marcos and the Specter of Martial Law
By Michael Beltran
With Bongbong entering the race, and the Dutertes floating around the edges, the Philippine presidential election is stirring up dark memories.
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 20, 2021
Op-Ed in China Draws Backlash for Advocating Women ‘Warm Rural Bachelor’s Beds’
By Jesse Turland
Since the latest census results confirmed slowing marriage and birth rates, policy solutions have increasingly undermined women’s rights.
October 20, 2021
Can Russia and Mongolia Replace Australia’s Coal Supply to China?
October 20, 2021
China’s Shenzhou 13 Mission and Its Long-Term Impact
October 18, 2021
China’s Overseas Coal Pledge Is Not a Climate Change Gamechanger
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
October 21, 2021
Chabahar Port and Iran’s Strategic Balancing With China and India
By Soroush Aliasgary and Marin Ekstrom
Both China and India seek to use Chabahar port for their own strategic interests. Iran can use that competition to its own advantage.
October 18, 2021
Pacific Nations Have an Interest in Challenging China’s Expansive Maritime Claims
October 16, 2021
The Gaps in the New Regional Security Architecture for the Indo-Pacific
October 14, 2021
Explaining the PLA’s Record-Setting Air Incursions Into Taiwan’s ADIZ
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
October 21, 2021
What’s the Deal With Myanmar’s New Coast Guard?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Though the new service marks the realization of a years-long quest, many questions remain about its future direction and evolution.
October 20, 2021
What’s Next for Indonesia-Vietnam Defense Relations?
October 15, 2021
Why Do Armed Robot Dogs Make Us Uncomfortable?
October 14, 2021
AUKUS: A New Justification for Thailand’s Submarine Acquisition Plans?
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
October 21, 2021
US, Thailand Mull Crossborder Myanmar Aid Delivery Plan
By Sebastian Strangio
The presence of an established humanitarian presence makes the Thai-Myanmar border a logical conduit for aid.
October 20, 2021
Thailand to Cease Using Sinovac Vaccines After Supplies Are Exhausted
October 20, 2021
Dancing to Different Tunes: Cambodia’s False Peace
October 20, 2021
The Nobel Peace Prize and Free Speech in the Philippines
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
POctober 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 21, 2021
Opportunities Open Up For Reset in US-India-Pakistan Relations
October 20, 2021
India’s Turn Toward Armenia
October 20, 2021
Taliban Agree to New Polio Vaccination Across Afghanistan
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
October 19, 2021
Why Is North Korea Launching So Many Missiles?
By Mitch Shin
North Korea appeared to fire an SLBM on Tuesday, ahead of a meeting between the U.S. and South Korea to discuss North Korea issues this weekend.
October 16, 2021
Silencing North Korean Memory in South Korea
October 15, 2021
Deciphering Kim Jong Un’s Second Policy Speech
October 14, 2021
Have South Korean Conservatives Made a Full Comeback?
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
October 18, 2021
Japan Leader Calls for Greater Military Capability, Spending
By Mari Yamaguchi
Kishida said Japan's security environment has been rapidly changing.
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?
October 14, 2021
What Is Kishidanomics?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
October 21, 2021
The Case for Renaming TECRO
By Chien-Huei Wu and Nai-Yu Chen
Renaming Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the U.S. to “Taiwan Representative Office” would be both meaningful and consistent with U.S. foreign policy.
October 19, 2021
India: The Quad’s Weakest Link
October 15, 2021
Negotiating With the Taliban After Their Victory
October 15, 2021
Changes to China’s Banking Law Could Help – or Hurt – the Planet
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
October 20, 2021
Russia Hosts Afghan Talks, Calls for Inclusive Government
By Vladimir Isachenkov
Russia had worked for years to establish contacts with the Taliban, even though it designated the group a terror organization in 2003.
October 20, 2021
Could Russia’s Buddhist Republics Complicate Relations With China?
October 20, 2021
Emomali in Paris: Tajikistan, Europe, and the Afghanistan Problem
October 19, 2021
Quiet Presidential Campaign Nearly Over in Uzbekistan
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
October 18, 2021
AUKUS Is Only Half the Equation
By Ryan Nabil
The United States and Britain should prioritize economic ties in their emerging Asia alliance.
October 08, 2021
Engaging North Korea Via Subnational Diplomacy
October 08, 2021
More Americans Are Unsure of Biden’s North Korea Policy Than Under Trump
October 07, 2021
CIA Creates Working Group on China as Threats Keep Rising
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 19, 2021
Ahead of COP26, Australia’s PM Tries to Sell His 2050 Net Zero Emissions Target at Home
By Rod McGuirk
Prime Minister Scott Morrison argued that technology – not carbon taxing – is the best way to achieve the climate target.
October 18, 2021
What’s the Real Cost of Papua New Guinea’s Palm Oil?
October 14, 2021
Tony Abbott in Taiwan: An Imperfect Messenger
October 11, 2021
Will Beijing’s Behavior Bring Australia and Canada Closer?
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.