Archive
April 2021
Learning From Kyrgyzstan’s Local Elections
By Colleen Wood
Local elections provide a window into the state of Kyrgyz politics – and what might come next in the three decade-long game of political musical chairs.
5 Years of Duterte: A Calamity Reaching Its Crescendo
By Michael Beltran
The Diplomat spoke with experts, victims, documenters, and communities affected by one of the most polarizing governments in Philippine history.
South Korea’s Political Pendulum Swings Again
By Youngmi Kim
The “old boys” are back after April 7 by-elections in Seoul and Busan.
Beyond Xinjiang: Xi Jinping’s Ethnic Crackdown
By James Leibold
The shifts in ethnic policy go well beyond Xinjiang. This is fundamental rethink of how the CCP manages ethnocultural diversity and its colonial possessions.
Raffaello Pantucci on China’s Presence in South Asia
By Catherine Putz
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan highlights the importance of South and Central Asia to China.
The Coming Age of Strategic Annoyance
By Jacob Parakilas
Small drones, used unpredictably, could conceivably force defenders to adopt a wearying posture of constant readiness and uncertainty.
The Taliban’s Difficult Pledge
By Obaidullah Baheer
Even if it wanted to, could the Taliban ever really cut ties with and oppose al-Qaida?
China Launches Core Space Station Module
By Abhijnan Rej
The country expects to complete construction of its space station, called Tiangong, next year.
Japan Has a Chance to Break the Ice With South Korea
By Darlene Onuorah
Recent developments coming out of Seoul have presented opportunities for Tokyo to explore means of cooperation.
The CCP Hand Behind China’s Xinjiang Cotton Backlash
By Angeli Datt
The boycott movement marks a blurred line between genuine anger and manufactured outrage.
Myanmar Ethnic Rebel Coalition to Begin Unity Talks: Report
By Sebastian Strangio
Signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement are looking to build an "all-inclusive" ethnic minority front against the junta.
Thailand’s COVID-19 Cases Skyrocket, Eroding Support for Prayut Government
By Tita Sanglee
After containing COVID-19 for most of 2020, the Thai government is coming under increasing pressure for its slow response to the latest outbreak.
ASEAN’s Next Steps for Ending the Myanmar Crisis
By Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma
ASEAN's special envoy to Myanmar has the potential to push the warring parties onto the path of peaceful dialogue.
Cambodia Opposition Leader Charged Over COVID-19 Lockdown Comments
By Sebastian Strangio
The charge against Sam Rainsy comes amid controversy over the severity of the lockdown around the capital Phnom Penh.
How Biden’s Attempted Shortcut Undermines Peace in Afghanistan
By Ezzatullah Mehrdad
The Biden administration hoped to take a shortcut to peace in Afghanistan with one more big conference. It won’t work.
Facing $11B Tax Bill, Samsung Heirs Donate Massive Art Trove
By Kim Tong-hyung
The family plans to donate 23,000 art pieces from Lee's personal collection to two state-run museums.
US Afghan Envoy Khalilzad Defends Biden Withdrawal Plan
By Catherine Putz
In a hearing called by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week, Khalilzad reiterated the rationale for the administration’s decision to exit Afghanistan.
Chinese Companies Consider Mixing Vaccines, Booster Shots
By Huizhong Wu
China's vaccine makers are looking at ways to increase the efficiency of their shots.
China’s Coast Guard Law Challenges Rule-Based Order
By Wataru Okada
The international community must respond to China’s maritime coercion.
Nations in Transit: Central Asia Remains Locked in Consolidated Authoritarianism
By Catherine Putz
Another bad year for democracy across the former Soviet Union, with Kyrgyzstan slipping further into authoritarianism too.
Policy Advisers Urge US Government to Ratchet up the Pressure on China
By Bonnie Girard
From economies to politics, the language on China is increasingly direct, as evidenced by a recent USCESRC hearing.
Why Isn’t South Korea Buying Chinese Vaccines?
By Jin Kai
Like many Asian countries, Seoul is having troubling sourcing vaccines. But unlike its neighbors, South Korea has so far refused to turn to a ready supplier: China.
India Grieves 200,000 Dead, With Likely Many More Uncounted
By Sheikh Saaliq, Krutika Pathi, and Aniruddha Ghoshal
Information about where people were getting infected and dying could have helped India better prepare for the current surge, an expert noted.
Pakistan Army to Enforce Pandemic Protocols
By Niha Dagia
But is it really a good idea to expose the armed forces to a deadly virus when the country is seeing a surge in terrorism?