Top Stories
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March 17, 2023
Indonesia Close to Closing Deal for BrahMos Weapons System: Report
By Sebastian Strangio
A deal would make Indonesia the second Southeast Asian nation after the Philippines to acquire the potent supersonic missile.
March 15, 2023
Xi Bets on His Own Personal Diplomacy in Russia, Ukraine
By Joseph Webster
Not lacking for self-confidence, Xi’s decision to insert himself into Russia-Ukraine mediation presents outsized opportunities and risks for Beijing, especially in Europe.
March 14, 2023
China Warns Philippines Over US Access to Military Bases
By Sebastian Strangio
The Chinese embassy in Manila said that the expansion of EDCA "will seriously harm Philippine national interests and endanger regional peace and stability."
March 14, 2023
The Broader Context Behind China’s Mediation Between Iran and Saudi Arabia
By Mehran Haghirian and Jacopo Scita
When it was clear that an agreement was possible to finalize the détente, China took the mantle of responsibility and the role of a direct mediator.
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trends in Asia.
March 20, 2023
South Korea and Japan Try Again to Overcome Bitter Historical Memories
March 13, 2023
China’s Two Sessions Present Institutional Reforms, Key Personnel Appointments
March 8, 2023
Opportunities and Risks for China’s E-Commerce Sector
March 7, 2023
China Unveils Global Security Initiative. Amid Ukraine War, Increased Focus on Security Role
Magazine
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March 01, 2023
China’s Rise Reverberates in Tajikistan
By Sher Khashimov
China’s growing importance to – and influence over – the country is a case study in Beijing’s geopolitical rise over the past several decades.
March 01, 2023
From Hope to Despair in Myanmar
By Zachary Abuza
From 2015-2020, Myanmar seemed on the cusp of a meaningful transformation. Then the coup set the country back decades.
March 01, 2023
In the Face of Climate Change, the Pacific Leads Boldly
By Jon Letman
Seven years after the Paris Agreement, Pacific Islanders demonstrate leadership and resolve in the face of the climate crisis.
March 01, 2023
Is China’s Reform and Opening Era Over?
By Sara Hsu
Xi changed China’s trajectory from the “Reform and Opening Up” of his predecessors toward a more internal and state-focused model of economic development.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
March 22, 2023
China, Russia Recommit to Close Partnership in the Shadow of Ukraine War
By Shannon Tiezzi
Anyone seriously considering China playing a role as peacemaker in Ukraine needs to wrestle with its constant and overt declarations of “unswerving” partnership with Russia.
March 21, 2023
Explaining China’s Diplomatic Strategy on Ukraine
March 20, 2023
China Commits to Another 5 Years of Xi Jinping’s Information Policies
March 21, 2023
Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou Will Visit China
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
March 22, 2023
China in Russia, Japan in Ukraine: Asian Powers Enter International Diplomacy
By William Figueroa
Understanding the meaning of the dueling trips requires a closer look at the larger context of China and Japan’s recent international diplomatic efforts.
March 21, 2023
Japan’s Kishida Offers Ukraine Support as China’s Xi Backs Russia
March 21, 2023
South Korea Will Stay Out of a Taiwan Strait War
March 20, 2023
North Korea Says It Conducted Tactical Nuclear Attack Drill
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
March 21, 2023
US, Philippines Break Ground on $25 Million Runway Rehabilitation Project
By Sebastian Strangio
The upgrade at Manila's Basa Air Base is part of $82 million in U.S.-funded infrastructure upgrades at military bases included under a 2014 defense pact.
March 20, 2023
Japan Commissions Second Taigei-Class Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine
March 17, 2023
Will Korea Aerospace Industries Be Privatized?
March 17, 2023
Indonesia Close to Closing Deal for BrahMos Weapons System: Report
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
March 22, 2023
Cambodia Arrests Opposition Activists for Posts About Country’s King
By Sebastian Strangio
The activists, who are reportedly close to opposition leader Kem Sokha had criticized the government's treatment of King Norodom Sihamoni.
March 22, 2023
Singapore Court Suspends Death Row Lawyer For Five Years
March 22, 2023
Thailand’s Long and Bumpy Road to Nuclear Energy Adoption
March 21, 2023
Thai PM Dissolves Parliament, Paving Way For May Election
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
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March 22, 2023
India Police Hunt Sikh Leader, Arrest Separatist Supporters
By Sheikh Saaliq and Krutika Pathi
Indian police say they have arrested over 150 supporters of Amritpal Singh, but the separatist leader himself remains at large.
March 22, 2023
In India, Kishida Papers Over the Cracks on Ukraine
March 21, 2023
In Afghanistan, Taliban Face a Growing Threat in ISKP
March 22, 2023
Kishida’s India Trip: A Reiteration of Strong India-Japan Ties
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
March 16, 2023
Rich South Korea, Unhappy Koreans
By Hyung-A Kim
South Korea has a glowing global reputation. So why do so many Koreans think “isaengmang” – this life is ruined?
March 15, 2023
How to Enhance South Korea’s Support for Ukraine
March 07, 2023
Kim Yo Jong Joins the North’s Chorus Threatening Response to South Korea-US Military Drills
March 06, 2023
South Korea Announces Plan to Resolve Forced Labor Disputes With Japan
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
March 21, 2023
India-Japan Relations: Out of the Shadow of Ukraine
By Titli Basu
Amid fractured global politics, Kishida’s visit to New Delhi proved how crucial India in for Japan’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
March 21, 2023
What’s Driving the Japan-South Korea Thaw?
March 15, 2023
The Politics of Sexual Minorities in Japan
March 14, 2023
The Japan-South Korea Thaw Is Far From a Done Deal
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
March 22, 2023
As Survivors of China’s Genocide, We Must Bear Witness
By Gulbahar Haitiwaji and Qelbinur Sidik
“We were in the camps, and now we are in the United States to tell you about China's crimes.”
March 21, 2023
Why China’s Xi Jinping Is Visiting Russia
March 21, 2023
India Can Bridge the US-Russia Divide Over Ukraine, If It Chooses
March 20, 2023
Hun Sen’s Cambodian Succession Plan Slides Into Chaos
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
March 21, 2023
What Does Xi Jinping’s Third Term Mean for China-Mongolia Relations?
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Since Xi assumed office, Mongolia has seen three different president, but the overall trajectory of the relationship has remained stable.
March 21, 2023
Low Turnout and a Victory for Kazakhstan’s Ruling Party in Parliamentary Polls
March 18, 2023
Detangling the Urban Paradox in Ulaanbaatar
March 16, 2023
Mongolia, US Seek to Advance Economic Ties
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
March 17, 2023
Artificial Intelligence Will Bring Social Changes in China
By Shaoshan Liu
The dark side of generative AI is that it is going to replace a lot of jobs, especially in the services sector. How will China weather the disruption?
March 16, 2023
Garcetti’s Long-stalled India Ambassador Nomination Faces Senate
March 11, 2023
Foreshadowing the US Marine Corps Landing at Guam’s Camp Blaz
March 11, 2023
China Is Meddling on America’s Doorstep
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
March 22, 2023
A Reality Check on China-US Decoupling
By Tamás Mészáros
Decoupling rhetoric masks the fact that the United States and China play very different economic roles in East Asia and possess very different sources of economic power.
March 21, 2023
Southeast Asia’s Post-Pandemic Tourism Revival
March 17, 2023
TikTok Dismisses US Calls for Chinese Owners to Sell Stakes
March 16, 2023
Thailand, EU Agree to Restart Free Trade Pact Negotiations
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
March 22, 2023
Another Way to Look at AUKUS: Keeping the US Engaged in the Indo-Pacific
By Grant Wyeth
Beyond responding to the China threat, AUKUS is also a tool to maintain U.S. Indo-Pacific engagement through whatever domestic storms are to come in Washington.
March 20, 2023
New Zealand’s Middle East Strategy, 20 Years After the Iraq War
March 16, 2023
Breach of Bail to Return as an Offense for Children in Queensland
March 16, 2023
Visionary Proposal or Pipe Dream? AUKUS Poses Challenges for Australia
Videos
Asia on Video
V
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
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February 22, 2023
The Diplomat Magazine Hits Issue 100
By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz
The Diplomat reaches a milestone: reflecting on 100 issues of the magazine.
February 27, 2023
Rescuing the Trafficked in Southeast Asia
February 22, 2023
What’s Driving South Korea’s Debate on Acquiring Nuclear Weapons
February 07, 2023
What the Chinese Surveillance Balloon Incident Tells Us About US-China Relations
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
March 17, 2023
A Community From India’s Northeast Finds a Home in Israel
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Around 4,000 people of the Bnei Menashe, one of 10 lost tribes of Israel, have emigrated to Israel.