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.
May 17, 2022
With Decisive Win, Ferdinand Marcos Jr Is the New President of the Philippines. Return of the Marcos Family Happens Amidst Growing Geopolitical and Economic Challenges
May 12, 2022
Sri Lanka Shaken by Protests and Repression. The Economic and Political Emergency May Herald Similar Crises in the Region
May 5, 2022
Faced With Stronger Headwinds, South Korea Looks for a New Strategy. President Yoon Wants a Break With the Past
April 29, 2022
Indian FinTech Gains Escape Velocity. The Sector Is a Bright Spot in India’s Race for Global Economic Influence
Magazine
M
May 01, 2022
Far From Home: The Afghans Aiding Afghanistan
By Ezzatullah Mehrdad
Global attention on Afghanistan has largely dried up, but the Afghan diaspora cannot look away.

May 01, 2022
Australia’s Elections: The China Narrative
By Natasha Kassam and Jennifer Hsu
How best to manage ties with China ought to be a central election issue, but the campaign narratives are focused on posturing rather than policy.

May 01, 2022
Japan’s Constitution at 75
By Sheila A. Smith
How does Japan’s post-war constitution hold up in an era of increasing great power competition and unexpected emergencies?

May 01, 2022
Can the US Deter a Taiwan Invasion?
By David Gitter
Rethinking “strategic ambiguity” is important, but in the meantime Washington must compensate for its dwindling military advantage over China with more costly signals of political resolve.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
May 18, 2022
Taiwan’s Quest to Attend the World Health Assembly
By Brian Hioe
Support for Taiwan's international participation has never been higher, but still hasn't moved the needle at the World Health Organization.
May 18, 2022
China’s Censors Aim to Contain Dissent During Harsh COVID-19 Lockdowns
May 17, 2022
Understanding the Extent (and Limits) of Chinese Public Support for Russia
May 16, 2022
Taiwan Fights for Its Diplomatic Survival in Latin America
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
May 17, 2022
Beware the Himalayan Heat: China, India, and Pakistan on the Brink
By Daniel Markey, Andrew Scobell, Vikram Singh
Even as war in Europe grinds on, Washington should not lose sight of the frightening implications of recent developments in South Asia.
May 12, 2022
North Korea Launches 3 Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Shortly After Confirming 1st COVID Case
May 11, 2022
The Ukraine War Might Kill China’s Nuclear No First Use Policy
May 09, 2022
North Korea Fires Suspected SLBM
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
May 13, 2022
The Changing Pattern of China’s Aircraft Incursions Into Taiwan’s ADIZ
By Olli Pekka Suorsa and Adrian Ang U-Jin
After frequent use, the KQ-200 anti-submarine warfare aircraft disappeared from China’s sorties near Taiwan for over two months. Why?
May 11, 2022
Will Australia and Japan Move Beyond the ‘Quasi-Alliance’?
May 09, 2022
Are Russian Arms Exports to Southeast Asia a Thing of the Past?
May 06, 2022
UK and Japan Reach New Defense Deal Amid Russia Concerns
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
May 18, 2022
History Education and the Politics of Identity in a Globalizing Vietnam
By To Minh Son
Conservatives fear that a recent decision to make history a high school elective will erode the "national consciousness" of the young.
May 18, 2022
Activists Seek Supreme Court Intervention to Head Off Marcos Presidency
May 17, 2022
Malaysian FM Meets With Counterpart from Myanmar Opposition Movement
May 14, 2022
Is the Biden Administration Serious About ‘ASEAN Centrality’?
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
May 18, 2022
Has the Sri Lankan Crisis Triggered a Change in Ethnic Relations?
By Eranga Jayawardena
For the first time ever, an event held by mostly Sinhalese also memorialized Tamil victims of the decades-long civil war.
May 18, 2022
Sri Lanka’s Meltdown Puts China’s Strategic Influence in Jeopardy
May 17, 2022
India’s Pandemic Mortality: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
May 17, 2022
Cyber Radicalization by Bangladeshi Islamists
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
May 17, 2022
Which Yoon Should Biden Expect at the Upcoming South Korea-US Summit?
By Gi-Wook Shin and Kelsi Caywood
Yoon has been compared to Biden’s own nemesis, Donald Trump, but he is far from a political iconoclast.
May 16, 2022
North Korea’s COVID-19 Crisis
May 13, 2022
North Korea Reports 6 Deaths After Admitting COVID-19 Outbreak
May 12, 2022
North Korea Confirms Omicron Case, Raising Fears of a COVID Catastrophe
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
May 18, 2022
Japan to Co-develop Future Fighter F-X With UK
By Kosuke Takahashi
Japan may choose BAE Systems, not Lockheed Martin, to support Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in developing next-generation fighter aircraft.
May 17, 2022
Okinawa Marks 50 Years of End to US Rule Amid Protests
May 13, 2022
Japan’s Food Self-Sufficiency Debate Overlooks the Core Problem
May 12, 2022
Japan’s Weak Yen Hampers Its Post-COVID Recovery
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
May 18, 2022
US-ASEAN Summit a Missed Opportunity to Tackle Shrinking Civic Space Across the Region
By Pornpen Khongkachonkiet
Civil society across ASEAN is struggling to survive in the face of growing repression. Countering this alarming trend must be a top priority for the U.S.
May 17, 2022
Marcos’ Victory Offers Washington the Chance for a Diplomatic Reset with the Philippines
May 16, 2022
South Korea Can Do More in the Battle Against COVID-19
May 12, 2022
Speak Up on Behalf of Afghan Women
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
May 13, 2022
China and Uzbekistan: An Emerging Development Partnership?
By Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi
Uzbekistan is leveraging its partnership with China to address the logistical and geographic challenges it faces.
May 13, 2022
The Richest Get Richer in Kazakhstan
May 12, 2022
The Trans-Caspian Corridor: Kazakhstan’s Silk Road?
May 09, 2022
What’s in Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Referendum?
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
May 18, 2022
Taiwan’s President Condemns California Church Shooting
By Associated Press
The shooter, who killed one and injured five at a Taiwanese church, was reportedly part of a pro-unification group.
May 17, 2022
Assessing the Outcomes of the US-ASEAN Special Summit
May 10, 2022
What to Expect From the US-ASEAN Special Summit
May 09, 2022
In the China-US Competition, Xi Jinping’s Loss Is Biden’s Gain
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
May 18, 2022
COVID-19 Lockdowns Bring Economic Woes for China
By Dmytro Spilka
China’s stock market woes added to a broader economic downturn in recent weeks, amid tough lockdowns in major cities.
May 17, 2022
The Economic Outlook for the Philippines Under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
May 16, 2022
What’s Behind China’s Ban on NFTs?
May 12, 2022
Economic Stimulus Has Become Inevitable for China
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
May 19, 2022
Australia’s Election Complicates Attendance at Quad Summit
By Rod McGuirk
Australia’s general election is on May 21, just three days before the summit in Tokyo. It’s unclear who would represent Canberra if the polls usher in a change of government.
May 17, 2022
Do Australian Politicians Know the Difference Between Hinduism and Hindutva?
May 16, 2022
Macho Election Tactics Miss the Point in Australia
May 13, 2022
Chinese Ambassador Says China’s Rise Is No Threat to Australia
Videos
Asia on Video
V
May 12, 2022
Russia-Ukraine War: The Economic Impact for the Asia-Pacific
Dingding Chen, Biswajit Dhar, and Bruno Maçães discuss how Asia-Pacific governments and companies are responding to the economic turmoil.
April 21, 2022
What’s Driving Pakistan’s Political Crisis?
March 16, 2022
What Does Russia’s Ukraine Invasion Mean for Central Asia?
February 18, 2022
South Korea’s Presidential Election: The Big Picture
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
May 18, 2022
Sizing-up the US-ASEAN Summit and Vietnam’s Place in the World
By Luke Hunt
A conversation with veteran academic Carl Thayer.
May 18, 2022
The Geopolitical Consequences of China’s Solomon Islands Pact
April 29, 2022
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine: Lessons for Taiwan
April 28, 2022
Troubled Waters in the Mekong Region
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
April 16, 2022
Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges are Headed for Global Recognition
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
The bridges have been included in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.