Archive
2019
Play The Diplomat’s Quiz: December 15, 2019, Edition
By Ankit Panda
Test your knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region with The Diplomat's weekly news quiz!
China’s ’Hostage Diplomacy’ Cannot Be Allowed to Stand
By Ankit Panda
Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor, and Yang Hengjun must be freed.
Japan-Korea: What’s in a Flag?
By Kan Kimura
Japan’s flag has emerged as a key element of bilateral tensions.
Bougainville Votes for Independence From Papua New Guinea
By Associated Press
Over 98 percent of voters in a long-awaited referendum wanted independence. Will they get it?
Abdullah Agrees to Allow Afghan Presidential Election Ballot Recount
By Catherine Putz
Neither Ghani nor Abdullah are keen to repeat the 2014 election experience.
After Exposing Corruption, Media Under Pressure in Kyrgyzstan
By Catherine Putz
Individuals implicated in massive corruption exposed in a recent joint investigation by RFE/RL’s Radio Azattyk, OCCRP, and Kloop have hit back with a lawsuit.
Violence in India’s Northeast Forces Delay of Japanese Prime Minister Visit
By Associated Press
Japanese PM Abe postponed a planned summit with Modi in Assam and Manipur, where protests are raging.
The US-China Trade Deal Is Finally Here
By Shannon Tiezzi
The U.S. and Chinese announcements on the “phase one” deal are optimistic in tone, but their differences hint at lingering frictions.
To Boost Its Economy, the Philippines Can’t Forgo Human Rights Protections
By Ronald U. Mendoza
Rule of law, human rights, and economics in Duterte’s Philippines.
The Politics Behind Australia’s Submarine Maintenance Decision
By Adil Cader
National defense becomes a domestic political issue in Australia.
‘Buy Yellow, Eat Yellow’: The Economic Arm of Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Protests
By Alexandra Chan
How Hong Kong’s rising “Yellow Economy” sustains its pro-democracy movement.
US Conducts Test of Prototype Ground-Launched Ballistic Missile
By Ankit Panda
The post-INF era pushes ahead.