Archive
February 2023
Neither China Nor Iran Will Get What They Want From Their Relationship
By Guy Burton
Iran wants more Chinese investment, but Beijing wants progress on the nuclear issue first.
South Korea’s Enduring Restraint Toward China
By James Park
Despite much bluster on the campaign trail, President Yoon Suk-yeol's promise to get “tougher on China” has been rhetorical at best.
This Week in Asia: February 17, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
Indian Child Marriage Crackdown Leaves Families in Anguish
By Piyush Nagpal
In Assam, police arrested over 3,000 men on charges of marrying girls below the age of 18.
Changes to Indus Water Treaty Could Raise Hostility Between India, Pakistan
By Umair Jamal
Many in Islamabad believe India’s threats are meant to strengthen Prime Minister Modi’s electoral prospects in upcoming general elections.
Sulu Sultanate Heirs Make Fresh Bid to Seize Petronas Assets
By Sebastian Strangio
Court bailiffs in Luxembourg have again issued seizure orders for two local units of the Malaysian state oil firm, as part of a contentious $15 billion arbitration dispute.
The Significance of a More Robust Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership
By Don McLain Gill
The two nations are witnessing a strategic convergence based on shared threat perceptions of a rising and more assertive China.
More of the Same or Different? Japan’s New Security and Defense Policy
By Guibourg Delamotte and Hideo Suzuki
With new defense budget ambitions and revised security documents, Japan’s current security policies reflect both continuity and change.
Watchdog Group Adds Cambodia to Human Rights Watch List
By Sebastian Strangio
The CIVICUS Monitor has cited the “rapid decline in civic freedoms" as the country moves toward national elections in July.
Amid Hard Times for Multilateralism, New Delhi Triumphant Over G20 Presidency
By Sanjeet Kashyap
India may be optimistic about its G-20 presidency, but the prospects for a transformative multilateralism are currently dim.
Gauging the Impact of the China-US Trade War
By Ka Zeng
Did the tit-for-tat tariffs move China and the U.S. toward economic decoupling?
Japan Suspects Chinese Spy Balloons Violated Its Airspace
By Thisanka Siripala
Japan is debating the appropriate response to tackle such surveillance following the U.S. shootdown of a balloon from China.