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April 15, 2021
How South Korean Soldiers and YouTube Catapulted a K-Pop Girl Group to Fame
By Jenna Gibson
Brave Girls hit it big after a viral video popularized a four-year-old song.
April 15, 2021
Chinese Militia Vessels Departing Contested South China Sea Reef
By Steven Stashwick
Over 200 Chinese ships occupied Whitsun Reef for several weeks. Only a handful remain.
April 14, 2021
After Myanmar’s Military Coup, Arakan Army Accelerates Implementation of the ‘Way of Rakhita’
By Kyaw Hsan Hlaing
Despite its support for the national protest movement, various factors have contributed to the armed group’s relative silence since the coup.
April 12, 2021
Thailand Buffeted by Third Wave of COVID-19 Infections
By Sebastian Strangio
The new outbreak threatens to undermine Thailand's economic recovery before it has even begun.
DRI | Monthly Report
DRI
DRI REPORT NO. 3
An Asian Space Odyssey
Civil, Military, and Commercial Space Ambitions
COVID-19 in Asia
April 21, 2021
‘No Place For You’: Indian Hospitals Buckle Amid Virus Surge
By Aniruddha Ghosal and Neha Mehrotra
Amid a ferocious second wave of COVID-19, India's hospitals are overrun.
April 20, 2021
What the Second Wave of COVID-19 Means for India’s Public Diplomacy
By Muhsin Puthan Purayil and Anudeep Gujjeti
Vaccine diplomacy has given way to vaccine nationalism as India struggles with a massive spike in infections.
April 20, 2021
Kyrgyz President’s Promotion of Poison to Treat COVID-19 Taken Down by Facebook
By Catherine Putz
Japarov's press secretary claims the president took the posts down himself, but Facebook says they were removed for being harmful "misinformation."
April 17, 2021
Even as Virus Cases Soar, Nepal Re-Opens Mt. Everest
By Kamal Dev Bhattarai
Amid a second wave of COVID-19 infections, hundreds of climbers are set to scale the world’s tallest mountain.
Magazine
M
April 01, 2021
Asia’s Youth in Revolt
By Nicholas Farrelly
In Thailand, Myanmar, and Hong Kong, Asia’s brave youth go toe-to-toe with history.
April 01, 2021
Australia-China Relations: The Great Debate
By Jane Golley
All sides can agree that the relationship is at a historic low. But the causes – and possible solutions – are far more contentious.
April 01, 2021
What Explains Nepal’s Perennial Instability?
By Peter Gill
Decisive election results in 2017 raised hopes that Nepal would finally see a government finish its term. That looks like a distant dream today.
April 01, 2021
The Making of Brand Modi
By Asim Ali
Narendra Modi has created one of the most powerful political brands in India’s history. But that centralization of power creates its own weaknesses.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
April 20, 2021
Beijing’s Military-Heavy Approach to Taiwan Locks the US and China in a Security Dilemma
By Jo Kim
Beijing’s non-military options for coercing Taiwan are showing dwindling returns, meaning China is increasingly using military signaling to respond to any perceived provocation.
April 20, 2021
Kerry Visits Renews China-US Climate Cooperation
April 17, 2021
Hong Kong Tries to Boost Flagging COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign
April 17, 2021
Mass Prosecutions Send Chills Across Hong Kong’s Political Spectrum
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
April 20, 2021
The EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in 10 Points
By Eva Pejsova
The main takeaways from the European Union's long-awaited strategy document on the Indo-Pacific region.
April 19, 2021
Managing the Military Problem of Space: The Case of India
April 19, 2021
China and Artificial Intelligence
April 16, 2021
Fresh Calls for Space Security Governance Measures Unlikely to Yield Results
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
April 20, 2021
China’s Military Has a Hidden Weakness
By Steve Sacks
High-tech new weapons are useful, but current military reform shortfalls hinder the PLA’s ability to employ such hardware.
April 16, 2021
The Strategic Impact of Indonesian KF-21s
April 16, 2021
Indonesia-South Korea Defense Ties in the Headlines with Fighter Jet Rollout
April 15, 2021
Can Smaller Countries Produce Competitive Fighters?
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
April 20, 2021
Pandemic Year Saw Sharp Decline in Southeast Asian Press Freedoms
By Sebastian Strangio
COVID-19 has offered governments a handy pretext for settling their scores with journalists and independent media outlets.
April 20, 2021
The Prospects for ‘Global Britain’ in Southeast Asia
April 20, 2021
Former UN Leader Presses for ‘Strong Action’ on Myanmar
April 19, 2021
Myanmar Coup Opponents Announce National Unity Government
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
April 21, 2021
Pakistani Parliament Debates Whether to Expel French Envoy
By Babr Dogar and Munir Ahmed
Will the Pakistani government give in to threats from radical Islamists?
April 21, 2021
‘No Place For You’: Indian Hospitals Buckle Amid Virus Surge
April 20, 2021
What the Second Wave of COVID-19 Means for India’s Public Diplomacy
April 20, 2021
UN Urges Bangladesh to Delay Rohingya Refugee Island Transfers
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
April 20, 2021
As Approval Rating Declines, Moon Reshuffles Cabinet Ministers
By Mitch Shin
Following setbacks at the polls, President Moon is hoping to stave off lame-duck status by shaking up his cabinet.
April 16, 2021
What Does South Korea Think of the China-US COVID Blame Game?
April 16, 2021
7 Years After Sewol Ferry Disaster, Bereaved Families Still Urge Government to Reveal the Truth
April 16, 2021
Is North Korea Returning to Diplomacy?
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
April 20, 2021
‘Joe-Yoshi’ Spirit Buoys Japan-US Alliance in Turbulent Seas
By Scott W. Harold
With both countries facing serious challenges at home, their leaders remained committed to building a personal rapport.
April 20, 2021
Why Matsuyama at the Masters Matters
April 19, 2021
The US and Japan Must Lead on Climate Cooperation
April 16, 2021
Japan Faces Growing Pressure to Rethink Releasing Fukushima’s Wastewater into Ocean
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
April 20, 2021
What ASEAN Leaders Should Say to the Head of Myanmar’s Junta
By Dino Patti Djalal
At this weekend's summit, Southeast Asian leaders need to take a firm and principled stance.
April 19, 2021
Myanmar’s Civil War Has Already Begun
April 16, 2021
Long After the World Moved on, Bangladesh Is Still Sheltering Rohingya Refugees
April 16, 2021
A Crisis in Timor-Leste Reveals the Hollowness of ‘Build Back Better’ Rhetoric
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
April 20, 2021
Grappling With Parliament Limiting His Powers, Mongolian President Moves to Dissolve Ruling Party
By Marissa Smith, Bulgan Batdorj, and Julian Dierkes
Political maneuvering ahead of June's presidential election may post a general threat to Mongolia's democracy.
April 20, 2021
Kyrgyz President’s Promotion of Poison to Treat COVID-19 Taken Down by Facebook
April 19, 2021
Uzbekistan Pushing to Realize the Trans-Afghan Railroad
April 16, 2021
Europe’s Troubling Turkmenistan Engagement
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
April 19, 2021
Outlook: China-US Cross-Border Investment
By Mercy A. Kuo
Insights from Jean-Marc F. Blanchard.
April 17, 2021
Biden Delegation Pledges US Support for Taiwan Self-Defense
April 10, 2021
US Envoy Kerry Discusses Climate Challenges in Bangladesh
April 06, 2021
The China Plan: Transatlantic Blueprint for Strategic Competition
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
April 14, 2021
Singapore Eyes SG$90 Billion in Infrastructure Bonds
By James Guild
For the first time in 40 years, the state is seeking to borrow money to fund long-term infrastructure improvements.
April 14, 2021
China’s Exports Rise as Global Demand Revives
April 12, 2021
Sacred Sustainability: Singapore, Greening, and Biophilic Design
April 06, 2021
How Independent Should Bank Indonesia (or any Central Bank) Be?
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
April 19, 2021
Examining Australia’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security
By Grant Wyeth
Women and girls often suffer the effects of conflict disproportionately to men.
April 16, 2021
The Nordic Paradox in Australia: Women’s Advancement and Male Resentment
April 06, 2021
New Zealand to Open Travel Bubble With Australia on April 19
April 06, 2021
Why Australia Needs to Prioritize Women
Videos
Asia on Video
V
March 23, 2021
Ceasing Fire: India, Pakistan, and Elusive Peace in South Asia
By The Diplomat
Madiha Afzal, Michael Kugelman, and Asfandyar Mir discuss the surprise ceasefire and the long-term implications for South Asian peace.
March 15, 2021
Violence Follows New ‘Anti-Conversion’ Law in India’s Madhya Pradesh
March 04, 2021
Myanmar Coup and the Aftermath
February 09, 2021
African Perspectives on China
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
April 14, 2021
Understanding North Korea’s Fuel Smuggling Networks in East Asia
By Ankit Panda
How does North Korea keep fueling its military and other needs?
April 03, 2021
China’s Maritime Militia at Whitsun Reef: Trouble in the South China Sea
March 30, 2021
Breathing Fresh Life into Cambodia’s Art Scene
March 17, 2021
Southeast Asia’s Emerging Markets, Post-Pandemic
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
March 08, 2021
In Photos: China and India’s Pangong Lake Disengagement
By Rajeev Bhattacharya
After false starts China-India military disengagement in the northern and southern banks of the Pangong Lake is finally over. This is how the process looked.