Top Stories
TOP
September 23, 2022
Bjorka, the Online Hacker Trying To Take Down the Indonesian Government
By Aisyah Llewellyn
With a series of high-profile hacks, the as-yet unidentified culprit has highlighted yawning gaps in the nation's cyber defenses.
September 22, 2022
As Russia Mobilizes, Central Asian Embassies Warn Citizens Against Joining a Foreign War
By Catherine Putz
The risks of Central Asian migrant workers being pressured into joining Russia’s war effort have intensified in tandem with Moscow’s desperation.
September 21, 2022
China’s Public Opinion Is Shifting Away From Russia
By Mu Chunshan
Anyone relying only on official pronouncements and the state media may have missed that Chinese public opinion is turning against Russia – and toward Ukraine – as the war drags on.
September 19, 2022
More than a ‘Border Skirmish’ Between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
By Aijan Sharshenova
The recent outbreak of hostilities on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border represents a dangerous escalation from previous tension and skirmishes to a distinct act of aggression.
Diplomat Risk Intelligence
Insights Today – for Tomorrow
Diplomat Risk Intelligence offers you dedicated access to an exclusive network of subject matter experts on geopolitical, security, economic, and political trends covering the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Research Notes
Published by Diplomat Risk Intelligence, Research Notes
offer actionable insight to strategic decision-makers seeking to understand political risk and economic
trends in Asia.
September 26, 2022
Questions and Concerns about the War in Ukraine: India and China Rethink Relations with Russia
September 13, 2022
Japan Prepares to Intervene in Energy Market Ahead of Winter Demand; Asia Gas Prices Set to Rise Further
September 1, 2022
Thai PM’s Suspension Increases Political Uncertainty. Economic Fundamentals Remain Positive
August 30, 2022
A Return to the 2015 Nuclear Deal Promises to Open the Iranian Oil Spigot
Magazine
M
September 01, 2022
North Korea’s Dangerous Turn
By Ankit Panda
Tactical nuclear weapons represent the next, dangerous phase of North Korea’s nuclear modernization.
September 01, 2022
Uzbekistan’s Ethnic Minorities: Out of Sight, But Not Out of Mind
By Steve Swerdlow
Lessons from the cases of the Meskhetian Turks, Tajiks, and Karakalpaks.
September 01, 2022
Sri Lanka’s Story of Sovereign Default
By Umesh Moramudali
How did Sri Lanka’s economic crisis get so bad – and how can the country move forward from here?
September 01, 2022
How China’s Party Congress Actually Works
By Ling Li
Unpacking the institution of the National Party Congress – its essential concepts and some common misunderstandings.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
September 29, 2022
Resentment Is Rising Against China’s ‘Zero-COVID’ Policies
By Connie Mei Pickart
Public support is waning amid the new phase of heavy-handed enforcement.
September 29, 2022
Former Top Graft Buster at China’s Intelligence Ministry Indicted on Bribery Charges
September 28, 2022
Containing China’s Maritime Power: A Question of Capability and Intent
September 24, 2022
Hong Kong to End Mandatory Hotel Quarantine for Travelers
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
September 29, 2022
North Korea Fires Missiles After US Vice President Harris Leaves South Korea
By Chris Megerian and Kim Tong-Hyung
It was the third round of missile launches by North Korea this week, extending a record pace in weapons testing.
September 28, 2022
North Korea Launches 2 Ballistic Missiles
September 26, 2022
North Korea Fires Short-range Ballistic Missile Toward Its East Coast
September 24, 2022
India and the Kindleberger Trap: Multipolarity Amid the Taiwan Crisis
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
September 27, 2022
The ‘New Normal’ in PLA Incursions Into Taiwan’s ADIZ
By Adrian Ang U-Jin and Olli Pekka Suorsa
Since the Pelosi visit, China’s military has made record incursions past the median line in the Taiwan Strait.
September 23, 2022
Strengthening Integrated Air and Missile Defense for the Japan-US Alliance
September 22, 2022
North Korea Denies Sending Arms to Russia Amid Ukraine War
September 17, 2022
Chinese Parts in the F-35 Highlight Concerning Trend in the US Defense Sector
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
September 29, 2022
Myanmar Junta Sentences Australian Economist to 3 Years Prison
By Sebastian Strangio
Sean Turnell was sentenced alongside Aung San Suu Kyi, whom he served as an economic adviser prior to her overthrow last year.
September 29, 2022
Dissident Myanmar Supermodel Granted Asylum in Canada
September 29, 2022
President Marcos’ Likely Foreign Policy Towards the Gulf States
September 28, 2022
Philippines Readies Crackdown on Chinese Online Gambling Operations
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
September 29, 2022
India Bans Muslim Group for Alleged Terrorist Activities
By Ashok Sharma
The government claims that the Popular Front of India is funding terrorism, providing arms training to supporters, and radicalizing people for anti-India activities.
September 29, 2022
The Curious Case of Masood Azhar’s Disappearance
September 28, 2022
Military Helps With Rescue and Relief Efforts in Flood-Ravaged Pakistan
September 28, 2022
Top Pakistan Diplomat Urges Flood Aid, Patience with Taliban
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
September 28, 2022
Abe Shinzo and the North Korean Abduction Issue
By Thisanka Siripala
The former prime minister’s all-or-nothing approach may have stymied progress on the unresolved North Korean abductions of Japanese nationals.
September 22, 2022
South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol Finally Meets Japan’s Prime Minister
September 21, 2022
Yoon Suk-yeol’s UN Debut Overshadowed by Japan-South Korea Summit Debacle
September 16, 2022
China’s Top Legislator to Meet South Korea Leaders for Talks
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
September 29, 2022
History Overshadows Japan-South Korea Rapprochement
By Kosuke Takahashi
Why are Japan and South Korea, both U.S. allies and East Asian democracies, continuously at odds over everything from their territorial dispute to wartime labor compensation?
September 27, 2022
Abe’s Militaristic Funeral Captures Japan’s Internal Divisions
September 27, 2022
The Mixed Legacy of Abe Shinzo’s ‘Panoramic’ Foreign Policy
September 26, 2022
What Did Japan’s Kishida Do at the UN General Assembly?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
September 29, 2022
Pakistan Shouldn’t Get ‘Aid’ After Its Devastating Flood. It Is Owed Climate Reparations.
By Zareen Zahid Qureshi
After decades of climate injustice, the West should pay long overdue reparations to Pakistan and other development countries that bear the brunt of climate change.
September 29, 2022
Remembering Mohibullah, a Tireless Advocate for the Rohingya
September 28, 2022
Sri Lanka’s Worrying Exodus
September 25, 2022
Pakistan’s Floods Are a Man-Made Disaster
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
September 29, 2022
Why Mongolia Is Steering Clear of Full Membership in the SCO
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Mongolia was the first observer state in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and it has been content to remain there even as other countries upgrade to member status.
September 28, 2022
Kyrgyz Journalist Bolot Temirov Acquitted of Drugs Charges, Released
September 28, 2022
The Difficult Path Toward De-escalation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik Border
September 27, 2022
Kazakh President Urges Calm and Care for Russians Fleeing Mobilization
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
September 26, 2022
VP Harris Leads US Delegation to Japan for Slain Leader Abe’s Funeral
By Chris Megerian and Mari Yamaguchi
Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida told Harris that former PM Abe Shinzo had “poured his heart and soul” into strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance.
September 23, 2022
Marcos, Biden Meet on Sidelines of UN General Assembly
September 22, 2022
Making Sense of Biden’s Taiwan Policy
September 21, 2022
The US Opioid Problem Is Also a China Problem
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
September 29, 2022
Why Vietnam’s Economic Future is Bright – and Growing Brighter
By Vincenzo Caporale
Despite some potential headwinds, Vietnam is well positioned to capitalize economically on the growing Sino-American competition.
September 28, 2022
Vietnam Becomes Asia’s Economic Leader as China’s Growth Decelerates
September 28, 2022
Can ASEAN Currencies Hold Up as the Fed Raises Rates?
September 27, 2022
ADB to Devote $14 Billion to Help Ease Food Crisis in Asia-Pacific
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
September 29, 2022
Sogavare the Spoiler and the US Pacific Partnership Strategy
By Patricia O’Brien
The Solomon Islands’ prime minister promises to be a bit of a spoiler during the summit, even as Washington unveils its Pacific Partnership Strategy.
September 28, 2022
What to Watch for as the US-Pacific Island Country Summit Begins
September 28, 2022
Australia Aims for an Ambassador for First Nations People
September 28, 2022
New Zealand’s Ardern Continues Tilt Toward the West at the UN
Videos
Asia on Video
V
September 07, 2022
Keeping Muharram Processions Alive in Kashmir
By Darash Dawood and Nazrah Khan
In Kashmir, some of the main Muharram processions have been banned since 1989, but Muslims prepare for the ritual every year nonetheless.
September 03, 2022
Where Does China-US Trade Go From Here?
August 09, 2022
Indonesia’s Plans for the G-20
June 30, 2022
What Do the Pacific Island Countries Think About China?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
September 23, 2022
The Most Important Shanghai Cooperation Summit Ever?
By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz
The SCO meets at a time of geopolitical flux in the Asian heartland. What’s the significance?
September 19, 2022
North Korea’s Updated Nuclear Law Points At a Dangerous Nuclear Future
September 09, 2022
Getting Into ASEAN is ‘Harder Than Getting Into Heaven’
August 31, 2022
Pakistan’s Flooding Underscores Climate Risks in South Asia
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
July 26, 2022
Sri Lanka’s New President Cracks Down on Protests as Challenges Mount
By Luke Hunt
Ranil Wickremesinghe's use of troops to dismantle protest camps in Colombo sends out a chilling message.