Most Read
In Defiant Address, Yoon Denies Treason Charges, Vows to Fight on
Reversing his decision to defer to the ruling party, Yoon implied that the main opposition Democratic Party was the “anti-state forces” he referred to in his declaration of martial law.
BRICS Currency May Not Upstage the US Dollar Anytime Soon
BRICS states’ de-dollarization efforts are unlikely to beat the greenback’s continuing preference globally.
China’s Mineral Export Ban Strikes at the US Defense Industrial Base
The U.S. defense industry could experience short-term mineral shortages and higher prices – not to mention the impact on the U.S. economy more broadly.
Magazine
Governing From Weakness: The LDP Under Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru
Ishiba is in a far weaker political position than his immediate predecessors – and has far more international volatility to contend with.
Traveling Through Myanmar’s War-Ravaged Arakan
In the region of Myanmar now held by the Arakan Army, the impacts of war and decades of economic neglect are easily visible.
Is the Indian Ocean Ready for Another Mega-Tsunami?
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami sparked the world’s largest humanitarian and disaster recovery effort. But 20 years on, governments still fail to sufficiently integrate disaster reduction into longer-term strategic thinking.
Kelly Grieco on Indo-Pacific Reactions to Trump’s Reelection
“The Trump administration can have a tough-on-China policy, or it can have a tough-on-allies policy, but it probably cannot have both.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
China Launches New Military Drills Around Taiwan Following Lai’s First Overseas Trip
Responses to the drills, whether from abroad or from the Taiwanese public, were relatively muted.
The CCP’s Antisemitic Experiment
China Is Watching the Political Disarray in Nations Along the First Island Chain
Amid Political Turmoil, Germany Stresses De-Risking From China
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
Perfect Storm: The Rising Risk of China-US Conflict Over Taiwan
A PLA command structure in disarray and a hawkish Trump Cabinet could lead to disastrous miscalculation over Taiwan.
How China Could Emerge as an Unexpected Beneficiary From Assad’s Downfall in Syria
How North Korea Views Yoon’s Declaration of Martial Law
Salt Typhoon: China’s Attack on US Telecommunications Networks
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
Australia-Japan Defense Cooperation Must Stand on Its Own
The Australia-Japan-U.S. partnership might be at the core of the three countries’ regional deterrence strategy, but it will only ever be as strong as its weakest link.
Yoon’s Declaration of Martial Law: Implications for the South Korea-US Alliance
The Overlooked Trend in China’s Military Violations of Taiwan’s ADIZ
Revisiting ‘Forces Goal 2030’: Bangladesh’s Military Modernization Plan Under the New Government
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
The Philippines’ Stakes in South Korea’s Political Chaos
South Korea has played a crucial role in Manila’s maritime security strategy. Can that cooperation survive if the Yoon administration comes to an abrupt end?
Beyond Bandung: Indonesia’s Evolving Africa Policy Under Prabowo
Myanmar Remains World’s Leading Source of Illegal Opium Cultivation
In Recent Border Controversies, Thailand’s Government Has Been Missing in Action
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Bangladesh-India Relations at Stake: The Way Forward
While the government transition has exposed underlying tensions, it also presents an opportunity for both nations to redefine their relationship on more equitable and inclusive terms.
Pakistan-Russia Relations Mark Shifting Sands in South Asia
Maldives Government Offers Concessions to Quell Revolt By Resort Operators
Why Sri Lanka’s Minorities Voted for a Sinhalese Party
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
In Defiant Address, Yoon Denies Treason Charges, Vows to Fight on
Reversing his decision to defer to the ruling party, Yoon implied that the main opposition Democratic Party was the “anti-state forces” he referred to in his declaration of martial law.
The Economic Costs of Delaying the Impeachment of South Korean President Yoon
After Blocking Impeachment, South Korea’s PPP Wants to Absorb Yoon’s Presidential Powers
PPP Neutralizes Vote to Impeach South Korea’s President
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
For Japan, Whaling Is Intertwined With Maritime Sovereignty
Japan argues that whaling is part of its history and culture. A rigid insistence on maritime sovereignty offers a more convincing explanation for Tokyo’s stance.
Yoon’s Martial Law Declaration Puts Japan-South Korea Relations in Jeopardy
The Okinawa Conundrum: Rethinking Regional Security
60 Years of Japan-South Korea Relations: A Moment for Reflection and Progress
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
Trump’s Inauguration Invitation to China’s Xi Jinping Is a Slap in the Face to Uyghurs
For Uyghur Americans, its feels like a betrayal – a signal that the U.S. may deprioritize human rights advocacy in favor of smoothing over relations with Beijing.
Why the Acting President of Myanmar’s NUG Is Right to Prioritize Internal Politics
Beijing Is Squeezing Taiwan in the Pacific. The US Must Act.
Arrest of Kyrgyz Lawyer an Attack on the Legal Profession
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
In Kyrgyzstan, Matraimov Wriggles Free Again With a Fine
When he was extradited to Kyrgyzstan earlier this year, Matraimov was alleged to be connected to an opaque assassination plot. He just got off with a fine for hooliganism.
With Prime Minister’s Visit, Mongolia Boosts Third Neighbor Ties With the Middle East
The Legitimization of Land Grabbing in Uzbekistan’s Cotton Sector
No Rallies in 3 Years? Kyrgyz President Claims ‘Stability,’ Forgets Reality
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
The Importance of the EU-Philippines Trade Deal
The renewed interest from the EU underscores a positive shift under the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Myanmar Economy to Shrink Further in 2025, World Bank Says
The Taxman Cometh in Southeast Asia
Asia-Pacific Leads World in Crypto Adoption Amid Bitcoin’s $100,000 Rally
Oceania
The South Pacific
The Nauru-Australia Security Treaty: Win-Win or Trouble Ahead?
At first glance, Australia’s new treaty with Nauru seems to be benefit both sides. But questions remain.
Getting Australian Cities Back to Health
Why Are Votes of No Confidence So Common in the Pacific?
The Risks of Australia’s Approach to Sanctions
Videos
Asia on Video
What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
Chiang Min-yen, a non-resident fellow at the Taiwan Economic Democracy Union, joins The Diplomat to discuss the concerns over the bill, the China factor, and what comes next.
What’s Behind Vietnam’s Political Upheaval?
The Danger of China’s Digital Silk Road
What Will China’s Shift From Oil Mean for Saudi Arabia and Russia?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
America First, Again: US-China Relations and the Second Trump Administration
Where does the U.S.-China relationship go from here?
America First, Again: Asian Geopolitics and the Second Trump Administration
A New China-India Border Deal?
The Geopolitical Implications of the UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Deal
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
Life in Ladakh Along the Disputed Sino-Indian Border
For Changpa women in Chushul, the 2020 clashes came during a larger societal shift in gender roles.