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.
Magazine
M
February 01, 2023
Noor Amin Ahmad on Anwar Ibrahim’s Long Political Journey
By Sebastian Strangio
Anwar “made himself ‘a bridge’ between different groups of people and ideas… it comes with the risk of being hated by all.”

January 01, 2023
Bargaining Chips: US Allies and Export Controls
By Emily Benson
New controls, if maintained, enforced, and ultimately supported by allies, have the potential to reshape the world’s most consequential economic relationships.

January 01, 2023
Can Nepal Achieve Political Stability?
By Biswas Baral
Nepal’s political landscape after the November 2022 election looks disturbingly familiar – but there are some signs change is coming.

January 01, 2023
The Unraveling of Kazakhstan’s Social Contract
By Assel Tutumlu
The time has come to re-evaluate Kazakhstan’s social contract. Is President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev up to the challenge?
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
January 31, 2023
‘Human Mines’: China’s Population Policy Flip-Flops Spark Anger
By Chauncey Jung
As China’s government deepens its push to raise the birthrate, Chinese internet users compare themselves to extracted minerals.
January 30, 2023
China: Exploiting the ‘White Paper Protests’ to Revoke the Zero-COVID Policy
January 28, 2023
China Suddenly Abandoned Its Zero COVID Policy. How Did It Start In The First Place?
January 27, 2023
Becoming a ‘Sponge City’ at Shenzhen Speed
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
January 31, 2023
Perception of Corruption Stagnates Across Asia
By Catherine Putz
Governments in Asia are perceived to be as corrupt as ever.
January 31, 2023
How China Uses Geoengineering to Pursue a Hybrid Warfare Strategy
January 30, 2023
Why Is North Korea Supporting Russia on Ukraine?
January 30, 2023
China’s Navy, the West Pacific and the Role of Okinotorishima
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
January 31, 2023
In Defense Minister Talks, US Reaffirms Commitment to South Korea
By Mitch Shin
Kicking off his visit to Seoul, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend South Korea.
January 31, 2023
Japan Ups Profits for Its Defense Industry
January 23, 2023
Unmanned Systems in China’s Maritime ‘Gray Zone Operations’
January 13, 2023
Japan, India to Conduct First Joint Fighter Jet Drill in January
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
January 31, 2023
Cambodia’s Turn to Raise Eyebrows Over Infrastructure Projects
By Luke Hunt
Up to $30 billion in financing is potentially on the table – most of it from China.
January 31, 2023
US to Secure Access to New Philippine Military Facilities: Report
January 31, 2023
Myanmar Junta Invited to ASEAN Meeting on Maritime Security
January 31, 2023
There Is No Such Thing as ASEAN Neutrality
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
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January 31, 2023
Richest Asian Gautam Adani Battered in Stock Market Rout
By Krutika Pathi
U.S.-based Hindenburg Research accused the billionaire businessman, who is said to have close ties to India’s prime minister, of "pulling the largest con in corporate history.”
January 30, 2023
India’s G20 Presidency: Decoding the Digital Technology Agenda
January 30, 2023
India Has Lost Access to 26 of 65 Patrolling Points in Ladakh, Says Research Paper
January 30, 2023
Suicide Bomber Kills 28, Wounds 150 at Mosque in Northwest Pakistan
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
January 28, 2023
The Korean Wave’s Rocky Road in China
By Wang Linbin
After over six years, China has partially removed its ban on South Korean cultural content, but hallyu in China may never return to its glory days.
January 27, 2023
Where Is India in South Korea’s New Indo-Pacific Strategy?
January 27, 2023
North Korea Imposes 5-day Lockdown on Pyongyang
January 26, 2023
North Korea Mines New Revenue Sources in Its Trade With China
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
January 28, 2023
Japan’s Population Crisis Nears Point of No Return
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan’s population decline is following the worst-case scenario, prompting the government to devise urgent policies to incentivize more births.
January 21, 2023
Doubling the Defense Budget Won’t be Easy for Japan
January 19, 2023
Japan’s Largest Opposition Party Seeks Moderation, But the Base Disagrees
January 19, 2023
The Unification Church, Japan, and North Korea
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
January 31, 2023
Myanmar: Last Chance Before the Final Curtain Drops
By Emilie Lehmann-Jacobsen
New crises have distracted international attention from the country right at the time that it is needed the most.
January 31, 2023
Why the Netherlands Should Restrict Semiconductor Tech Exports to China
January 30, 2023
Repression, Debt, Corruption and Human Trafficking: Hun Sen’s Cambodian Legacy
January 27, 2023
How International Legal Interventions Can Help Pressure Myanmar’s Military
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
January 31, 2023
How Mongolia Is Navigating a Changing Security Environment
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Beyond the external security issues, Mongolia’s internal security environment is shifting as well.
January 30, 2023
Kazakhstan’s Uranium Industry and the Middle Corridor Come Together
January 28, 2023
What’s Behind Kyrgyzstan’s War on Radio Azattyk?
January 27, 2023
Mirziyoyev Lands in Kyrgyzstan for Long Delayed State Visit
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
January 31, 2023
Source: Dutch, Japanese Join US Limits on Chip Tech to China
By Dee-Ann Durbin and Aamer Madhani
The deal hasn't yet been formally announced, but a source told the AP that the U.S., Japan, and the Netherlands have come to an agreement.
January 27, 2023
A New Chapter for India-US Defense Ties
January 24, 2023
Biden Nominates New Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues
January 18, 2023
TSMC’s US Investments Spark Political Controversy in Taiwan
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
January 31, 2023
The Philippines’ Post-Pandemic Economy Is Booming
By James Guild
The country's economy has rebounded from its COVID-19 recession, posting a growth rate of 7.6 percent in 2022.
January 31, 2023
The Myth of Doi Moi in Vietnam
January 27, 2023
India’s Adani Mulls Suing US Short-seller as Shares Sink up to 20%
January 25, 2023
China’s Huawei Looks to Ports, Factories to Rebuild Sales
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
January 31, 2023
Australia’s Nauru Conundrum
By Grant Wyeth
The detention facility’s purpose has diminished, but the country’s geopolitical importance has increased. In the meantime, 73 people languish there.
January 27, 2023
Australia Day, Invasion Day: Evolving the Idea of Australia
January 27, 2023
Australia Day Focuses Attention on Indigenous Recognition in Constitution
January 24, 2023
Chris Hipkins Confirmed as New Zealand Leader, Picks Deputy
Videos
Asia on Video
VPodcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
January 27, 2023
The Drivers and Consequences of Vietnam’s January 2023 Political Shake-Up
By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz
Will Vietnam's political tumult have any geopolitical ramifications?
January 09, 2023
Locking Horns With the Khmer Rouge
January 06, 2023
A New Defense Era: Japan’s 2022 National Security Strategy
December 28, 2022
Asian Geopolitics in 2022: A Retrospective
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
January 31, 2023
Kashmir Welcomes Rahul Gandhi and His Bharat Jodo Yatra
By Numan Bhat and Mehroob Mushtaq
The politician's Unite India March ended on January 30 in Srinagar, where he was welcomed by local politicians.