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.
June 15, 2023
ASEAN Launches Cross-Border Payment System to Promote Regional Connectivity
June 8, 2023
At Shangri-La Dialogue, a Search for US-China Guardrails
May 31, 2023
China’s Double-Edged Fintech Ecosystem: Promoting Both Development and Surveillance
May 26, 2023
Thailand Edges Closer to New Government in Break With Recent Past
Magazine
M
June 01, 2023
Kalay: A Case Study of Resistance in Myanmar
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
The city in northwestern Myanmar was one of the first to see anti-coup protests – and also among the first to see pitched battles between resistance fighters and the military.

June 01, 2023
What Will It Take to Finally Build a ‘New Uzbekistan’?
By Madina Amin
Since 2016, Mirziyoyev’s reforms have often served two purposes: a populist aim paired with an overriding interest in regime security.

June 01, 2023
What Drives the Taiwanese Fighting in Ukraine?
By James Baron
Many Taiwanese feel a sense of kinship with Ukraine as it battles an invading neighbor. But only a few have made the heavy choice to travel to Ukraine and take up arms.

June 01, 2023
Pakistan in Crisis: Imran Khan vs. the Army Chief
By Ayesha Siddiqa
Even if the establishment manages to put Khan behind bars, his political ghost will not be that easy to get rid of.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
June 24, 2023
What Do Taiwanese Think About Expanding Conscription?
By Timothy S. Rich and Serena White
A new survey finds broad support for the lengthened conscription period, even past the current one year mark.
June 23, 2023
Child Sex Abuse Victim Gets a Landmark Win in Chinese Court
June 22, 2023
Can China Tip the Scales in the Palestine-Israel Peace Process?
June 22, 2023
Will Blinken’s Trip to China Have a Lasting Impact?
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
June 24, 2023
Will China’s Private Security Companies Follow the Wagner Group’s Footsteps in Africa?
By Jong Min Lee and Samuel Wittman
As the controversial Russian mercenary group is diverting its attention to Ukraine, China’s PSCs have a window to expand their engagement in African countries.
June 23, 2023
The Weakest Link: Securing Critical Undersea Infrastructure in ASEAN
June 23, 2023
US Coast Guard Ship Sailed Through Taiwan Strait a Day After Blinken’s China Visit
June 21, 2023
INSTC: Pipeline Dream or a Counterweight to Western Sanctions and China’s BRI?
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
June 21, 2023
The Philippines Is Leveraging Its Strategic Value to Become an Indo-Pacific Power
By Gavril Torrijos
Manila is embracing its alliance with the United States and building closer ties to Japan and Australia to become a strong, equal partner that can uphold a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
June 16, 2023
A NATO Office in Japan: Much Ado About Not Much
June 16, 2023
An Era of ‘Submarine Diplomacy’?
June 15, 2023
Japan Photographs China’s New Y-9DZ Electric Warfare Aircraft for First Time
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
June 23, 2023
Snares and Traps: Thai Politics After the May Election
By Punchada Sirivunnabood
If the victorious Move Forward Party is unable to garner the votes to form the country's next government, an alternative is lurking in the wings.
June 23, 2023
US Aircraft Carrier to Visit Vietnam Amid South China Sea Tensions
June 23, 2023
Malaysia Charges Four Men Over Mass Graves and Trafficking Camps
June 23, 2023
Suitcase Killer’s Plea Deal Is Rare Shot of Double Justice
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
June 24, 2023
India’s G20 Presidency: Giving Voice to the Global South
By Akanksha Singh
India has made clear that it wants to use its G-20 presidency to give voice to concerns of the Global South.
June 23, 2023
Modi Tests Bipartisan Support in Washington for India-US Ties
June 23, 2023
Ex-Sri Lanka President Ordered Police Records Destroyed to Stall Mass Grave Probes, Report Alleges
June 22, 2023
India-US Space Cooperation Takes Off
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
June 12, 2023
Where Does Japan Fit Into South Korea’s New Indo-Pacific Strategy?
By Shu Fukuya
Establishing a strategic relationship has become an urgent task to address threats to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region, but significant obstacles remain.
June 10, 2023
‘Dollarization’ of North Korean Economy, Once Vital, Now Potential Threat to Kim’s Rule
June 08, 2023
South Korea’s Healthcare Sector Is Heading Toward a Crisis
June 05, 2023
The Apparent Rise of Kim Jong Un’s Daughter
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
June 20, 2023
Victims of J-pop Talent Agency Speak Out About Sexual Abuse
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan has been rocked by allegations that the late J-pop music mogul Johnny Kitagawa was a serial sexual predator.
June 16, 2023
Abe’s Unfinished Business: Japan’s Agriculture Reform
June 13, 2023
Japan’s Lower House Passes Bill to Promote LGBTQ Awareness, But Not Guarantee Rights
June 12, 2023
The Fukushima Wastewater ‘Discharge’: What’s in a Name?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
June 23, 2023
Instead of a Cell, a Muzzle: How Kazakhstan Stifles Critics and Avoids Criticism
By Kyle Delbyck
Instead of lengthy jail terms, Kazakh authorities have taken to issuing years-long bans on speech and political activity, a tactic that incurs far less international condemnation.
June 23, 2023
One Year After a Landmark Green Finance Policy, Can Chinese Banks Go Green?
June 21, 2023
Will a Legal Case in Argentina Bring Justice for the Rohingya?
June 21, 2023
How to Stop the Myanmar Junta’s War on Its People
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
June 23, 2023
Kazakhstan and Germany: Dissecting President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s Visit
By Eldaniz Gusseinov
The German president’s recent visit to Kazakhstan underscores Berlin’s commitment to strengthening ties with Kazakhstan amidst a volatile geopolitical landscape.
June 23, 2023
Kazakhstan Is Vulnerable to Secondary Sanctions
June 23, 2023
Who Is Responsible for the Fires in Kazakhstan?
June 22, 2023
What Did Studying in China Teach Kyrgyz Students About Civic Engagement at Home?
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
June 21, 2023
Bringing the India-US Partnership to Third Countries
By Radhey Tambi
New Delhi and Washington can supercharge their partnership by coordinating efforts in third countries, especially island nations like Maldives.
June 16, 2023
Modi Comes to Washington: Prospects and Challenges for India-US Relations
June 15, 2023
US NSA Sullivan to Visit Tokyo for Talks With Japan, Philippines, South Korea Officials
June 13, 2023
US Secretary of State Blinken Poised to Finally Make His China Trip
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
June 22, 2023
Pakistan: Escaping the Sovereign Debt Trap
By Samir Tata
The key to escape Pakistan’s sovereign debt trap is hiding in plain sight – deleveraging.
June 21, 2023
How Last Week’s High-profile Resignation Will Impact the AIIB
June 21, 2023
Who Pays and Who Profits From High Energy Prices in Thailand?
June 19, 2023
How Vietnam Can Disrupt China’s Dominance in EVs
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
June 24, 2023
Suspected Russian Diplomat Is Occupying Proposed Embassy Site Vetoed by Australia
By Rod McGuirk
A man has been living on the site in a portable building since Sunday, after Parliament passed emergency legislation last week blocking Russia’s lease on security grounds.
June 19, 2023
End Days for Australia’s Nauru Detention Center?
June 16, 2023
2 Men Who Helped Run Megaupload Sentenced to Prison in New Zealand
June 16, 2023
Palau Leader Stresses Need for US Help to Deter China in the Pacific
Videos
Asia on Video
VPodcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
June 08, 2023
The Shangri-La Dialogue Hits 20 Years With US-China Tensions at the Center
By Catherine Putz and Ankit Panda
What does the 2023 Shangri-La Dialogue tell us about Asian geopolitics?
May 23, 2023
Takeaways From the 2023 Hiroshima G7 Summit
May 20, 2023
A New China-Central Asia ‘Blueprint’?
April 29, 2023
The Washington Declaration and the US-South Korea Alliance
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
June 15, 2023
Snapshots of Life in Myanmar’s IDP Camps
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
The Diplomat captures how those who were forced to flee their homes cook, eat and play in camps for the displaced in Chin State and Sagaing Region.









