DRI | COVID-19 IN ASIA
Presented by Diplomat Risk Intelligence
July 10, 2020
Misinformation and Conspiracies Spread While Kazakhstan Reimposes Lockdown
By Anastassiya Fershtey
Kazakhstan, while also seeing a rapid rise on COVID-19 cases, has been hit with a storm of conspiracy theories.
July 08, 2020
Pakistan’s Great Digital Divide
By Shah Meer Baloch
A new reliance on virtual life in the COVID-19 era has laid bare the lack of internet access for much of the country.
July 07, 2020
After COVID-19: Rebooting Business in China
By Jennifer Choo, Jean Oi, Christopher Thomas, and Xue (Xander) Wu
What a survey of Chinese business leaders tells us about China’s post-COVID economy – and the future of U.S.-China economic relations.
DRI | APAC Risks, Analyzed
DRI
July 14, 2020
The US Announces a New Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea: First Takeaways
By Ankit Panda
In a welcome development, the revised U.S. position brings American policy in line with the July 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling.
July 11, 2020
The Origins and Drivers of Australia’s 2020 Defense Strategic Update
By Ankit Panda
Australia reacts to a shifting regional environment.
July 11, 2020
China’s Banking Sector Faces Multiple Challenges After COVID-19
By Yan Liang
From the economic toll of COVID-19 to the long-term implications of reforms, China's banking sector needs to tread carefully.
Magazine
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July 01, 2020
After the Virus: Japan’s Painful Economic Recovery
By Anthony Fensom
Anticipation of an economic windfall in 2020 has fallen flat, but there’s still hope for the post-COVID future.
July 01, 2020
Dangerous Waters: Maritime Crime in the Sulu Sea
By Zam Yusa
Despite COVID-19 and a number of security initiatives, piracy, kidnapping, and terrorist movements continue in the Sulu Sea.
July 01, 2020
New Zealand’s Quiet China Shift
By Anne-Marie Brady
The Ardern government is using deliberately ambiguous tactics to deter an increasingly aggressive partner while (so far) avoiding punishment.
July 01, 2020
Kashmir’s Dark Year
By Um Roommana
A loss of autonomy. A months-long security crackdown. Now, a pandemic. It’s been a rough year in Kashmir.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
July 14, 2020
Why Is China Going to Mars?
By Namrata Goswami
China's upcoming Mars mission is part of an integrated space strategy.
July 15, 2020
UK Reverses Course, Bans Huawei From 5G Network
July 13, 2020
Through Hong Kong, Beijing Channels Its Repression to the World
July 10, 2020
Beijing’s Plan for a Post-National Security Law Hong Kong
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
July 15, 2020
US Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation Near China-Held Features in Spratlys
By Ankit Panda
The operation comes shortly after the unveiling of a new South China Sea position by the U.S. government.
July 14, 2020
Amid the Pandemic, Australia and Japan Continue Their Strategic Convergence
July 14, 2020
The US Announces a New Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea: First Takeaways
July 14, 2020
Philippines: China Should Comply With 2017 South China Sea Ruling
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
July 14, 2020
US Air Force Grants Boeing $1.2 Billion Initial F-15EX Contract
By Ankit Panda
The first F-15EX fighters are expected to complete production next year.
July 14, 2020
US Amphibious Assault Ship Burns in Port for Second Day
July 13, 2020
USS Bonhomme Richard Suffers From Major Fire at US Naval Base San Diego
July 13, 2020
US Marine Corps Faces COVID-19 Outbreak in Okinawa
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
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July 14, 2020
Thais Seek to Fix Errors That Allowed Infected Foreigners in
By Associated Press
Two foreigners -- a member of an Egyptian military delegation and the child of a Sudanese diplomat -- infected with COVID-19 have prompted a revision of Thailand’s rules.
July 13, 2020
A ‘New Mandate’ for Singapore’s Government?
July 13, 2020
Malaysia Prime Minister Wins Test of Support, Ousts House Speaker
July 13, 2020
How Duterte’s Anti-Terror Law Unleashed Public Outrage Against His Leadership
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
July 14, 2020
China’s Engagement With Nepal’s Ruling Party Troubles India
By StoriesAsia
China’s ascendance in Nepali politics sends a strong message to India.
July 11, 2020
Uzair Baloch, the Pakistan People’s Party, and the 18th Constitutional Amendment
July 11, 2020
History of Tibet-Ladakh Relations and Their Modern Implications
July 09, 2020
Pakistan’s Kashmir Policy Post-Article 370
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
July 14, 2020
Seoul Mayor’s Death Sets Critical Test for South Korea’s Ruling Party in 2021
By Cory Bisbee
Next year’s by-elections will be unusually important – for the Democratic Party and for the current frontrunner to succeed President Moon Jae-in.
July 14, 2020
With Sudden Death of Seoul Mayor, South Korea’s 2021 By-Elections Gain New Importance
July 11, 2020
Seoul Mayor’s Death Shocks South Korea
July 09, 2020
South Korea’s Conscientious Objectors Are Getting an Alternative to Military Service
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
July 13, 2020
Japan Hammered by Record-Breaking Torrential Rains and Deadly Floods
By Thisanka Siripala
Once again, Japan's rainy season is taking a deadly turn this year.
July 08, 2020
Japan Promotes ‘Clean’ Coal in the Battle Against Climate Change
July 08, 2020
55 Dead, a Dozen Missing in Japan Floods
June 29, 2020
Tokyo’s Coronavirus Spike Points Finger at Controversial Alert System
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
July 14, 2020
COVID-19 Tests Communitarian Values
By Amitai Etzioni
The world's most communitarian countries are handling the pandemic well. The most individualistic countries are doing the worst.
July 13, 2020
Remember Liu Xiaobo by Supporting Rights Activists in China
July 09, 2020
Uzbekistan Must Stay on the Path of Religious Freedom Reform
July 08, 2020
Why Okinawans Are Outraged by the Aegis Ashore Cancellation
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
July 14, 2020
Kazakhstan’s COVID-19 Crisis Spinning on
By Catherine Putz
Kazakhstan has extended its second lockdown through the end of July and media have begun to compile lists of the dead.
July 13, 2020
Why It Matters That Uzbekistan’s President Endorsed Russia’s Referendum
July 11, 2020
China Missteps With Wild Allegation of a ‘New’ Deadly Pneumonia in Kazakhstan
July 10, 2020
Misinformation and Conspiracies Spread While Kazakhstan Reimposes Lockdown
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
July 15, 2020
Advancing US-Vietnam Relations: Past, Present, and Future
By Prashanth Parameswaran
The 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties is an occasion to reflect on the remarkable trajectory of relations to date, but also the work that lies ahead.
July 13, 2020
Bad Faith All the Way: US Attempts to Bring China to the Arms Control Table
July 07, 2020
China’s Maritime Militia Vessels May Be Military Objectives During Armed Conflict
July 02, 2020
Why South Korea Should Be Key to a Revised US Indo-Pacific Approach
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
July 15, 2020
India’s Economic Growth Is Central to a Successful Free and Open Indo-Pacific
By Max Frost and Michael Sauer
Indian growth is key to countering Chinese aggression.
July 11, 2020
China’s Banking Sector Faces Multiple Challenges After COVID-19
July 10, 2020
Globalization and Trade in a Post-Pandemic World: India’s Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan
July 09, 2020
Japanese Firms Exit South Korea Amid Prolonged Anti-Japan Movement
Asia Life
The Other Asia-Pacific
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July 09, 2020
How COVID-19 Is Impacting Asia’s Film Industries
By Alexander Ayertey Odonkor and Hiu Man Chan
From Southeast Asia to India, China, and Japan, cinemas are bleeding while online steaming booms.
July 02, 2020
COVID-19 Takes a Toll on Pakistan’s Transgender Community
June 25, 2020
New Film Tells Tale of North Korean Orphans Sent to Europe
June 17, 2020
How Bollywood Discriminates Against Playback Singers
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
July 14, 2020
Hedging or Balancing? Australia and New Zealand’s Differing China Strategies
By Lai-Ha Chan
Different approaches to China have led to different results for Australia and New Zealand.
July 09, 2020
Australia Ends Hong Kong Extradition Treaty Over National Security Law Concerns
July 09, 2020
Is It Safe for Australians to Travel to China?
July 02, 2020
Slow Progress Toward an Australian Magnitsky Act
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
PJuly 11, 2020
The Origins and Drivers of Australia’s 2020 Defense Strategic Update
By Ankit Panda
Australia reacts to a shifting regional environment.
June 26, 2020
Making Sense of Japan’s Decision to Scrap Aegis Ashore Missile Defense
June 23, 2020
The Problem With Travel in Southeast Asia and COVID-19
June 17, 2020
Saving Indochina’s Wilderness
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
July 09, 2020
Glimpses of Kaho: A Village Along the Line of Actual Control on the India-China Border
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Kaho is a village on the easternmost tip of India.
June 17, 2020
A Carnival on the City’s Margins: The Sonepur Mela of Bihar
June 19, 2020
Manila: From Galleons to the Belt and Road
June 12, 2020
Life in Jakarta’s COVID-19 ‘Transition’ Era
Videos
Asia on Video
V
May 19, 2020
Distance Learning During the COVID-19 Lockdown in India
By Vishal Arora
An Indian tutor teaches from her balcony with kids sitting a floor below