Latest Stories
Clearing the Air: Next Steps for India-Pakistan Climate Diplomacy
As both sides of the border experience a worsening air pollution crisis, calls for cooperation have gained momentum. Can China-U.S. climate talks show the way?
Resilient Democracy: How South Korea’s Institutions Rejected Authoritarian Overreach
South Korea’s democracy has evolved to resist authoritarianism – a sharp contrast to the weaker historical response of its institutions during previous martial law impositions.
Rumor Night: The Yunus Government’s Struggle With Disinformation in Post-Revolution Bangladesh
Disinformation, misinformation, and structured social media propaganda have posed significant challenges for Dr. Muhammad Yunus’ interim government in Bangladesh.
PTI’s ‘Do or Die’ Protest Ends, But Incitement of Instability Continues
Perhaps Imran Khan sees stirring instability as his only way to evade prison and reclaim power.
Yoon’s Martial Law Declaration Puts Japan-South Korea Relations in Jeopardy
The political chaos in Seoul is casting dark clouds over not only Japan-South Korea relations but also Japan-South Korea-U.S. trilateral security cooperation.
Yoon Accused of Trying to Arrest Key Political Leaders During Martial Law
After the revelation, the leader of the ruling People Power Party called for Yoon's presidential authority to be suspended immediately.
Most Read
The Significance of Putin’s Visit to India
The past month has seen definite progress in New Delhi’s relations with Moscow. That trend is set to continue into 2025, with the Russian leader's first post-COVID visit to India.
How Do Uzbek Men Kill Women? Impulsively, Brutally, and Often at Home
In Uzbekistan, women are often killed by men close to them – intimate partners and family members – and usually at their own homes, a space meant to be safe. Here is what our recent research reveals.
Chinese Demand for Rosewood Empowers Some of Africa’s Deadliest Terrorist Groups
Chinese smuggling rings have been instrumental in the illegal trafficking of rosewood. They also provide support to terrorist groups in West Africa and Mozambique.
Magazine
Governing From Weakness: The LDP Under Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru
Ishiba is in a far weaker political position than his immediate predecessors – and has far more international volatility to contend with.
Traveling Through Myanmar’s War-Ravaged Arakan
In the region of Myanmar now held by the Arakan Army, the impacts of war and decades of economic neglect are easily visible.
Is the Indian Ocean Ready for Another Mega-Tsunami?
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami sparked the world’s largest humanitarian and disaster recovery effort. But 20 years on, governments still fail to sufficiently integrate disaster reduction into longer-term strategic thinking.
Kelly Grieco on Indo-Pacific Reactions to Trump’s Reelection
“The Trump administration can have a tough-on-China policy, or it can have a tough-on-allies policy, but it probably cannot have both.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
China’s G20 Agenda and Its Effect on Multilateralism: The Emerging Global South
Xi Jinping made several important declarations during the summit that both subverted the established power structures in global governance and reaffirmed China’s role as the voice of the Global South.
Should China Be Worried About the Biden Administration’s Growing Africa Engagement?
Between Trump and China: Will Hungary’s Orbán Manage a Balancing Act?
China Deepens Its Engagement With Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
China’s Mineral Export Ban Strikes at the US Defense Industrial Base
The U.S. defense industry could experience short-term mineral shortages and higher prices – not to mention the impact on the U.S. economy more broadly.
The EU Is Following the US North Korea Playbook – But Should It Be?
In Handling the North Korea-Russia Alliance, Trump Should Follow Nixon
Chinese Vessel Suspected of Damaging European Submarine Cables
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
Revisiting ‘Forces Goal 2030’: Bangladesh’s Military Modernization Plan Under the New Government
Every major step taken during the Hasina administration is now subject to change – including Bangladesh’s first formalized military modernization blueprint.
KMT, DPP Clash over Taiwan Defense Initiatives
Will AUKUS Survive the Trump Administration?
Japan, Germany Listed as Finalists for Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigates
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Thailand to Host ASEAN Talks on Myanmar Conflict This Month
The December 20 meeting in Bangkok will seek a way through the thicket of Myanmar's intertwined conflicts.
Activists File Second Impeachment Complaint Against Philippine Vice President
Philippines, China Again Clash at Two Disputed South China Sea Shoals
In Singapore, the Hangman’s Noose is Growing Threadbare
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Clearing the Air: Next Steps for India-Pakistan Climate Diplomacy
As both sides of the border experience a worsening air pollution crisis, calls for cooperation have gained momentum. Can China-U.S. climate talks show the way?
Rumor Night: The Yunus Government’s Struggle With Disinformation in Post-Revolution Bangladesh
PTI’s ‘Do or Die’ Protest Ends, But Incitement of Instability Continues
Karachi’s Air Quality Crisis: A Call for Urgent Action
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
Resilient Democracy: How South Korea’s Institutions Rejected Authoritarian Overreach
South Korea’s democracy has evolved to resist authoritarianism – a sharp contrast to the weaker historical response of its institutions during previous martial law impositions.
Yoon Accused of Trying to Arrest Key Political Leaders During Martial Law
South Korea’s PPP Decides to Protect Yoon Ahead of Impeachment Vote
Yoon’s Madcap Martial Law Was Predictable
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Yoon’s Martial Law Declaration Puts Japan-South Korea Relations in Jeopardy
The political chaos in Seoul is casting dark clouds over not only Japan-South Korea relations but also Japan-South Korea-U.S. trilateral security cooperation.
The Okinawa Conundrum: Rethinking Regional Security
60 Years of Japan-South Korea Relations: A Moment for Reflection and Progress
Was the Abe-Trump ‘Bromance’ a Real Thing?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
India’s Mosques Are Under Siege. The Destruction of the Babri Masjid Explains Why.
The destruction of the Babri Masjid in 1992 has emboldened others attempting to destroy mosques, providing them with a game plan.
The Axis of Trump: Russia, Israel, and India
Across the Asia-Pacific, Governments Criminalize Human Rights Defenders Like Me
COP29 Finance Goal Falls Short of Addressing Southeast Asia’s Needs
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Mongolia Eyes India as Third Destination for Coal Exports
Mongolian coal exports to India have the potential to reduce Ulaanbaatar’s landlocked conundrum.
Sanctions on Gazprombank Imperil Uzbek Copper Mine Expansion
After 33 Years, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Announce Border Agreement
Door-to-Door: Tajikistan’s Fight Against Radicalization
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
With Visit to Angola, Biden Claims the US Is ‘All in on Africa’
U.S. Africa policy is often viewed through the prism of competition with China. If so, the United States has a long way to go to catch up.
Trump and Great Power Competition in the Pacific Islands
Rubio’s Nomination to Head US Diplomacy Bodes Well for Human Rights in China
The Democratic Party’s Electoral Rout Stemmed From Its China Strategy
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
Vietnam Signs Agreement with Nvidia to Establish AI Research and Data Centers
Last year, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that he wanted to make Vietnam the AI chipmaker's "second home."
Apple Plans to Invest $1 Billion in Indonesian Manufacturing Plant, Minister Says
The End of Japan’s Hydrogen Rush in Australia?
What’s the Deal with COP29?
Oceania
The South Pacific
The Risks of Australia’s Approach to Sanctions
Australia has long aligned with the United States on sanctions. With Trump’s return, this is an increasingly dangerous approach.
Why Is Australia Banning Social Media for Youth Under 16?
A Little Less Like-minded? Australia and the US Under Trump 2.0
The Australia-Pacific Bid to Host UN Climate Talks in 2026 Is in Limbo
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
America First, Again: US-China Relations and the Second Trump Administration
Where does the U.S.-China relationship go from here?
America First, Again: Asian Geopolitics and the Second Trump Administration
A New China-India Border Deal?
The Geopolitical Implications of the UK-Mauritius Chagos Islands Deal
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
Life in Ladakh Along the Disputed Sino-Indian Border
For Changpa women in Chushul, the 2020 clashes came during a larger societal shift in gender roles.