Latest Stories
Who Is Engineer Rashid, One of Kashmir’s New MPs?
Sheikh Abdul Rashid is now a member of India's Parliament. He is also being held in jail on terrorism funding charges. What does his election mean for Kashmir?
China’s Third Plenum Embraces a ‘New Development Philosophy’
The long-awaited economic-focused meeting of the CCP’s governing body emphasized Beijing’s commitment to growth centered on technology – and CCP control.
Vietnam’s President To Lam Assumes Leadership Duties as Communist Party Chief Trong Faces Health Crisis
The sudden announcement confirmed longstanding rumors of Trong's ill health, and locks in Lam as his successor.
Brides Too Soon: The Rising Trend of Early Marriages in Uzbekistan
Early marriages are on the rise, primarily driven by a growing scarcity of eligible brides.
South Korea in the Maelstrom: East Asia’s Geopolitical Upheaval Brings Danger
“With Kim now emboldened, the prospect of unconventional acts like terrorist attacks on South Korean infrastructure and civilians is a real possibility,” says Dr. Cho Sung-min.
Can China and the US Find Common Ground on Military Use of AI?
Entrusting AI with the autonomy and power to deploy nuclear weapons is a scenario to be avoided at all costs. Time to take baby steps toward that goal.
Most Read
Japan’s Defense White Paper Sounds Alarm Over China, North Korea, Russia
A situation similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may occur in East Asia, Tokyo warns.
The Fallout of Russia’s Veto and Putin’s North Korea Visit
The impact of the fall of the UN Panel of Experts and how Australia should respond to Russia’s increasing closeness to North Korea.
Vietnam, Not India, is in a Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Sweet Spot
India does not lack potential, but on both the geopolitical and geoeconomic fronts it has yet to seize the moment.
Magazine
SCO Expansion: A Double-Edged Sword
China and Russia have pushed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization beyond its original mission, at the expense of practical regional collaboration.
Japan’s Enhanced Security Engagement With the Pacific Islands
The expansion of security and defense cooperation stands as the most spectacular change in Japan’s contribution to the region in recent years.
Indian Foreign Policy Under Narendra Modi: A Decade of Transformation
Modi’s assertive foreign policy approach has redefined India's image to that of a more proactive global player. But can India live up to the hype?
Sara Hsu on China’s Economic Policy Under Xi Jinping
Under Xi, China’s economic approach “has been and is likely to be state-led innovation and development.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
China’s Third Plenum Embraces a ‘New Development Philosophy’
The long-awaited economic-focused meeting of the CCP’s governing body emphasized Beijing’s commitment to growth centered on technology – and CCP control.
Does Vietnam and Bangladesh’s Cheap Labor Threaten ‘Made in China’ Textiles?
China Has an Opportunity to Grow Its Military Influence in Niger
China’s Third Plenum Shines Light on Center-Local Fiscal Challenges
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
Can China and the US Find Common Ground on Military Use of AI?
Entrusting AI with the autonomy and power to deploy nuclear weapons is a scenario to be avoided at all costs. Time to take baby steps toward that goal.
Delayed US Arms Transfers to Taiwan: Déjà Vu?
India’s Arm Sales to Israel During a War Are a Political Statement
Japan Warms up to NATO
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
China’s Show of Force With Belarus Amid NATO Concerns
As NATO sharpens its focus on China, Beijing is tightening its own military ties to Belarus.
Russia-Ukraine War Provides New Opportunities For North Korea’s Tank Industry
Navigating Next-Gen Air Power in the Indo-Pacific
SIPRI Yearbook 2024: Rising Global Nuclear Arsenal Sparks Concerns
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Vietnam’s President To Lam Assumes Leadership Duties as Communist Party Chief Trong Faces Health Crisis
The sudden announcement confirmed longstanding rumors of Trong's ill health, and locks in Lam as his successor.
What’s Really Ailing Thailand’s Economy?
Indonesia’s Massive Metals Build-out Is Felling the Forest for Batteries
New Deal Establishes a Hotline Chinese and Philippine Presidents Can Use to Stop Clashes at Sea
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Who Is Engineer Rashid, One of Kashmir’s New MPs?
Sheikh Abdul Rashid is now a member of India's Parliament. He is also being held in jail on terrorism funding charges. What does his election mean for Kashmir?
Supply Chain Disruption: A Key Trigger for India’s Plea for Climate Change Action
Bangladesh’s Tough Tightrope Walk Between India and China
Will Nepal’s New Government Usher in a New Electoral System?
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
South Korea in the Maelstrom: East Asia’s Geopolitical Upheaval Brings Danger
“With Kim now emboldened, the prospect of unconventional acts like terrorist attacks on South Korean infrastructure and civilians is a real possibility,” says Dr. Cho Sung-min.
Who Is Han Dong-hoon?
South Korea to Deploy Laser Weapons to Intercept North Korean Drones
The Great Korean Garbage War
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Nippon Ishin no Kai’s Baba Nobuyuki Faces Hard Political Realities in Tokyo and Osaka
An interview with the opposition party leader on the push for political reform and setbacks to the upcoming World Expo in his political stronghold.
Japan’s Defense White Paper Sounds Alarm Over China, North Korea, Russia
In Okinawa, 2 New Sexual Assault Cases Implicating US Soldiers Fuel Public Anger
The Significance of East Asia’s Trilateral Summit
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
It Is Time for the World to Listen and Act to Help Rohingya
Rohingya are not asking for special treatment – they are asking for the most basic human rights that have been denied to them for far too long.
Taking Enhanced Russia-North Korea Ties in Stride
An Expanding BRICS Seeks to Reform Not Replace the Global Order
How Mongolia’s Foreign Policy Can Bolster Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Brides Too Soon: The Rising Trend of Early Marriages in Uzbekistan
Early marriages are on the rise, primarily driven by a growing scarcity of eligible brides.
The Stati v Kazakhstan Saga Ends
Why Did China, Mongolia, and Russia Skip Their Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at This Year’s SCO Gathering?
From Russian Ladas to Chinese BYDs: Central Asia’s Changing Priorities
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
Self-exiled Chinese Billionaire Guo Wengui Convicted of Fraud in US Court
Guo won fame for his criticism of the CCP and links to prominent U.S. conservatives. Now he’s been convicted of a massive multiyear racketeering operation.
What’s at Stake in the US Decision to Grant Vietnam ‘Market Economy’ Status?
US Lawmakers Meet Dalai Lama in India’s Dharamshala, Sparking Anger From China
Should the US Initiate a New Round of Backroom Diplomacy With China?
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
What Do Tongwei and LONGi’s Struggles Say About the Future of Solar Supply Chains?
The two Chinese companies play a dominant role in the solar panel supply chain. Now even they are suffering from overconcentration of the solar industry.
Sri Lanka’s Many IMF Programs: What’s Changed and What Hasn’t
China’s Economy Slowed Last Quarter as Weak Consumer Demand Dragged on Growth
Who Will Serve as Indonesia’s Next Finance Minister?
Oceania
The South Pacific
Australia Aims to Broaden Media Engagement in the Indo-Pacific
Maintaining a well-functioning media ecosystem is in the interests of domestic and regional stability alike.
The Pacific’s Evolving Map
New Zealand Forges Deeper Ties with NATO
Tropical Tug-of-War: China and the West’s Influence Battle in the Pacific
Videos
Asia on Video
What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
Chiang Min-yen, a non-resident fellow at the Taiwan Economic Democracy Union, joins The Diplomat to discuss the concerns over the bill, the China factor, and what comes next.
What’s Behind Vietnam’s Political Upheaval?
The Danger of China’s Digital Silk Road
What Will China’s Shift From Oil Mean for Saudi Arabia and Russia?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
The Future of Cross-Strait Ties Under a Lai Presidency in Taiwan
How will China approach a Lai-led Taiwan?
A New Russia-North Korea Strategic Partnership: Geopolitical Implications for Asia
Putin Goes to Beijing: Where the Russia-China Relationship Stands in 2024
Taking Stock of Russia-Central Asia Relations in 2024
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
Bangladeshi University Students Protest Quota System Reforms
The students argue that the quota system is discriminatory and hinders merit-based appointments in government jobs.