Top Stories
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October 19, 2021
A Remote Corner of Afghanistan Offers a Peek Into the Future of the Country
By Franz J. Marty
In Kamdesh, Nuristan, where U.S. forces withdrew more than a decade ago, the American presence is a distant – and negative – memory for many locals.
October 14, 2021
‘The Battle at Lake Changjin’ and China’s New View of War
By Carice Witte
War was once viewed as a danger to the ruling party. Now it is perceived as a way to strengthen CCP’s position.
October 14, 2021
Singapore and the Philippines: From Zero-COVID-19 to Living With COVID-19
By Kenneth Y. Hartigan-Go and Ronald U. Mendoza
Though at opposite ends of the spectrum in their COVID-19 performances, both countries are feeling pressure to find a way to live with the virus.
October 13, 2021
Why Is China Looking to Establish Banks in Nigeria?
By Oluwatosin Adeshokan
For China, the establishment of banks in Nigeria presents an opportunity to further integrate itself with the financial systems of the African continent.
DRI | Report
DRI
DRI REPORT NO. 5
Dense Grey Webs
Cyber Risks and Trends in the Asia-Pacific
COVID-19 in Asia
October 21, 2021
India Hits 1 Billion Vaccine Doses
By Krutika Pathi
However, there is a huge gap between the numbers who have received one shot and those who are fully immunized.
October 20, 2021
Thailand to Cease Using Sinovac Vaccines After Supplies Are Exhausted
By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement follows queries about the efficacy of the Chinese vaccine, the world’s most widely used COVID-19 jab.
October 19, 2021
Can the COVID-19 Playbook Prepare Nations For the Next Pandemic?
By Alifah Zainuddin
The fight against the coronavirus pandemic is often likened to a war, and every war needs a plan.
October 15, 2021
Why Vaccine Hesitancy is Rising Among Thailand’s Youth
By Wichuta Teeratanabodee
Many young Thais are deeply suspicious of the current government and its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Magazine
M
October 01, 2021
Samoa: Fiame’s Uphill Climb
By Amalyah Hart and Joshua Mcdonald
Samoa has its first-ever female prime minister, and the first new leader in 22 years. But Fiame Naomi Mata’afa comes to power at a fraught time.
October 01, 2021
Peace vs. Democracy in Cambodia
By Andrew Nachemson
The 1991 Paris Peace Accords had two primary goals: ending civil war and setting up democracy. One of those goals was achieved; the other has never looked less likely.
October 01, 2021
The Making of Mirziyoyev’s Uzbekistan
By Bruce Pannier
As Mirziyoyev gears up for his second term, Uzbekistan’s foreign relations and economy are moving forward, but political and social reforms are lagging.
October 01, 2021
Beijing and the UN, 50 Years On
By Rosemary Foot
Since taking over the China seat in the United Nations, Beijing’s approach to the global body has encompassed both ambivalence and ambition.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
October 23, 2021
Red Flag River and China’s Downstream Neighbors
By Genevieve Donnellon-May and Mark Wang
The proposed mega-water transfer project is already sparking fears abroad. China should start talking with countries downstream of the impacted rivers to address their concerns.
October 22, 2021
Is Russia Starting to Sour on China?
October 22, 2021
Hong Kong’s Media Under Siege
October 20, 2021
Op-Ed in China Draws Backlash for Advocating Women ‘Warm Rural Bachelors’ Beds’
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
October 22, 2021
How UAVs Could Spark a Military Conflict in the Taiwan Strait
By Tobias Burgers and Scott N. Romaniuk
It makes tactical, operational, and strategic sense for China to start using UAVs in its incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ. Taiwan needs to decide now how it would respond.
October 22, 2021
A Quad for the Middle East?
October 21, 2021
New Rule From US Commerce May Help Limit Spread of North Korean Cybercrime
October 21, 2021
Chabahar Port and Iran’s Strategic Balancing With China and India
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
October 22, 2021
How Indonesia’s Defense Ministry Has Changed Under Prabowo Subianto
By Jefferson Ng
Since his appointment in 2019, the former general has strengthened the Ministry's position vis-à-vis the country's powerful military.
October 21, 2021
What Do People in Taiwan Think About Their Military?
October 21, 2021
What’s the Deal With Myanmar’s New Coast Guard?
October 20, 2021
What’s Next for Indonesia-Vietnam Defense Relations?
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
October 22, 2021
Malaysian FM Calls for ‘Soul-Searching’ Over ASEAN Non-Interference
By Sebastian Strangio
Saifuddin Abdullah says the Southeast Asian bloc has to fundamentally rethink its approach to the crisis in Myanmar.
October 22, 2021
Does It Matter If Myanmar’s Junta Leader Is Banned From the ASEAN Summit?
October 21, 2021
US, Thailand Mull Crossborder Myanmar Aid Delivery Plan
October 21, 2021
Myanmar Junta Asks Telenor Executives Not to Leave the Country
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
October 22, 2021
India’s Congress Party Woos Women Voters in Uttar Pradesh
By Sudha Ramachandran
Will the strategy work in a state that is notorious for its patriarchy and misogyny?
October 22, 2021
From Exile, Afghanistan’s Fawzia Koofi Keeps Fighting
October 22, 2021
Storm Clouds Hang Over ‘All-Weather’ Sino-Pakistani Friendship
October 22, 2021
Over 180 People Killed After Heavy Rains in Nepal and India
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
October 22, 2021
The Foreign Policy Outlook of South Korea’s Ruling Party Presidential Candidate
By Hae Kyung Ahn
The Democratic Party has a presidential candidate: Governor Lee Jae-myung. Where does he stand on inter-Korean and foreign relations?
October 22, 2021
South Korea Test Launches 1st Domestically Made Space Rocket
October 19, 2021
Why Is North Korea Launching So Many Missiles?
October 16, 2021
Silencing North Korean Memory in South Korea
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
October 18, 2021
Japan Leader Calls for Greater Military Capability, Spending
By Mari Yamaguchi
Kishida said Japan's security environment has been rapidly changing.
October 16, 2021
How Will Japan’s Cybersecurity Posture Impact its Relations With China?
October 14, 2021
What Does a Kishida Government Mean for Japan-Russia Economic Relations?
October 14, 2021
What Is Kishidanomics?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
October 22, 2021
Why Cambodia’s Military History Is So Important for National Security
By Youk Chhang
Cambodia’s military history is full of lessons on how (and when) to exercise restraint, patience, and boldness in defending national security.
October 21, 2021
The Case for Renaming TECRO
October 19, 2021
India: The Quad’s Weakest Link
October 15, 2021
Negotiating With the Taliban After Their Victory
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
October 21, 2021
Kazakhstan Still Has a Protest Problem
By Catherine Putz
The Kazakh state still has the final say in who is allowed to engage in public demonstrations.
October 20, 2021
Russia Hosts Afghan Talks, Calls for Inclusive Government
October 20, 2021
Could Russia’s Buddhist Republics Complicate Relations With China?
October 20, 2021
Emomali in Paris: Tajikistan, Europe, and the Afghanistan Problem
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
October 22, 2021
US Leadership Could Change Course of Myanmar’s Human Rights Crisis
By Carolyn Nash
A U.S.-led coalition that intensifies this pressure could change the course of Myanmar’s protracted human rights disaster.
October 22, 2021
Biden’s Nominee for Singapore Ambassador Pledges to Bolster Economic, Security Ties
October 21, 2021
The Biden Administration Has Shown Unwavering Support for Taiwan
October 18, 2021
AUKUS Is Only Half the Equation
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
October 19, 2021
Breaking Down Indonesia’s 2022 State Budget
By James Guild
In 2022, the state intends to continue its robust spending on the areas most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: health and social assistance.
October 15, 2021
A Turning Point for Renewable Energy in Indonesia?
October 13, 2021
Doubling Down on Tourism Today will Constrain Cambodia’s Policy Options Tomorrow
October 12, 2021
What the AidData Report Reveals About BRI Lending in Southeast Asia
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
October 22, 2021
The Geopolitics Behind the New Zealand-UK Free Trade Agreement
By Geoffrey Miller
New Zealand’s free trade deal with the U.K. might be about “building back better” – but it could end up being more about Beijing.
October 19, 2021
Ahead of COP26, Australia’s PM Tries to Sell His 2050 Net Zero Emissions Target at Home
October 18, 2021
What’s the Real Cost of Papua New Guinea’s Palm Oil?
October 14, 2021
Tony Abbott in Taiwan: An Imperfect Messenger
Videos
Asia on Video
V
September 08, 2021
Where Does the China-India Border Dispute Stand?
Alka Acharya, M. Taylor Fravel, Lin Minwang, Lu Yang, and Sushant Singh discuss the state of the border today and the future of China-India relations.
August 10, 2021
Myanmar, Six Months After the Coup
July 17, 2021
Where Did COVID-19 Come From?
July 07, 2021
Webinar Alert: Where Did COVID-19 Come From?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
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October 15, 2021
The Inter-Korean Missile Race Picks Up the Pace
By Ankit Panda
Both North and South Korea demonstrated a wide range of new missile capabilities in September 2021. What’s driving their arms race?
October 13, 2021
Seismic Shifts in Geopolitics and the Challenge for ASEAN
September 28, 2021
AUKUS and the Indo-Pacific: Geopolitics, Technology, and Deterrence
September 27, 2021
Indonesia: Dividing the Spoils
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
September 23, 2021
Vaccination in an Indian Border District: Against All Odds
By Rajeev Bhattacharya
Treacherous terrain, poor connectivity, and low population density makes the vaccination drive in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley extremely challenging.