Top Stories
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April 08, 2021
US Destroyer Carries Out FONOP in Indian EEZ
By Abhijnan Rej
The move to publicly challenge India’s “excessive maritime claims” is sure to irk New Delhi privately.
April 08, 2021
How Japanese Women Saved Shinto
By Cristian Martini Grimaldi
A Shinto priest explains the ancient Japanese religion – and the crucial, often forgotten role women played in keeping it alive after World War II.
April 07, 2021
Yes, China Has the World’s Largest Navy. That Matters Less Than You Might Think.
By Benjamin Mainardi
China’s fleet relies disproportionately on smaller classes of ships – and U.S. capabilities are bolstered by its allies’ navies.
April 07, 2021
Would Access to Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base Really Benefit China?
By Chen Heang
Gaining access to a Cambodian naval facility would give China's navy little discernible strategic advantage.
DRI | Monthly Report
DRI
DRI REPORT NO. 3
An Asian Space Odyssey
Civil, Military, and Commercial Space Ambitions
COVID-19 in Asia
April 14, 2021
COVID-19 Resurgence Threatens India’s Economic Recovery
By Prachi Priya and Aniruddha Ghosh
Just when there was growing optimism over India’s economic rebound, the second COVID-19 wave has come as a rude shock to businesses and consumers alike.
April 14, 2021
Cambodia and Its ‘Dictator’ Struggle With the Pandemic
By Luke Hunt
The WHO issues “dire warning” ahead of Khmer New Year.
April 13, 2021
Bhutan Vaccinates 93% of Adults in 16 Days
By Associated Press
In just over two weeks, Bhutan has vaccinated more of its population than any country in the world but the Seychelles.
April 12, 2021
Global Trade Is Recovering From the Pandemic. North Korea’s Economy Isn’t.
By Troy Stangarone
With its borders still locked down, North Korea isn’t benefiting from China’s return to growth. That’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
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 15, 2021
Kerry Heads to China for Climate Talks
By Shannon Tiezzi and Ellen Knickmeyer
In a sign of the issue's important in the overall relationship, climate envoy John Kerry will be the first high-ranking Biden official to travel to China.
April 13, 2021
Hong Kong’s Activists in Exile
April 13, 2021
China’s Digital Silk Road and the Global Digital Order
April 12, 2021
Zhao Kezhi’s Legacy Could Define China’s Regional Security Paradigm
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
April 15, 2021
Biden Announces Plan for US Exit from Afghan War, Urges Attention to Future Challenges
By Catherine Putz
"No one wants to say that we should be in Afghanistan forever. But they insist that now is not the right moment to leave,” Biden rebuffs critics, charting a U.S. exit from its longest war.
April 13, 2021
Official: Iran to Enrich Uranium to 60%, Highest Level Ever
April 09, 2021
Iran Frees South Korean Ship Held Amid Dispute Over Funds
April 09, 2021
Welcome to the Fog of More
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
April 15, 2021
What’s in the New Russian Military Facility Chatter in Laos?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
A closer look at a latest manifestation of Moscow’s growing defense presence in the Southeast Asian nation.
April 09, 2021
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Conducts ‘Routine’ Drills Near Taiwan
April 08, 2021
US Destroyer Carries Out FONOP in Indian EEZ
April 08, 2021
Japan Could Deliver 8 Cutting-Edge Frigates to Indonesia
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
April 15, 2021
Myanmar Charges Doctors Over Civil Disobedience Protests
By Associated Press
Doctors, nurses, and medical students have marched and joined strikes to show their opposition to the military coup.
April 14, 2021
After Myanmar’s Military Coup, Arakan Army Accelerates Implementation of the ‘Way of Rakhita’
April 14, 2021
Cambodia and Its ‘Dictator’ Struggle With the Pandemic
April 13, 2021
Malaysia and Indonesia in the Middle East
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
PApril 14, 2021
COVID-19 Resurgence Threatens India’s Economic Recovery
By Prachi Priya and Aniruddha Ghosh
Just when there was growing optimism over India’s economic rebound, the second COVID-19 wave has come as a rude shock to businesses and consumers alike.
April 13, 2021
Taliban Not Ready to Attend Turkey Summit on Afghan Peace
April 13, 2021
Nepal’s Burn Violence Survivors Await New Law
April 13, 2021
Pakistan Police Arrest Radical Islamist Party Head in Lahore
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
KApril 12, 2021
Global Trade Is Recovering From the Pandemic. North Korea’s Economy Isn’t.
By Troy Stangarone
With its borders still locked down, North Korea isn’t benefiting from China’s return to growth. That’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
April 09, 2021
Why Did Young South Koreans Ditch the Democratic Party and President Moon?
April 08, 2021
Seoul and Busan Mayor By-Elections Spell Trouble for President Moon
April 06, 2021
North Korea Says It Won’t Participate in Tokyo Olympics
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
April 13, 2021
The Biden-Suga Summit: What to Expect
By Joshua W. Walker
If both leaders play their cards right, ties between Tokyo and Washington could anchor a peaceful and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific for years to come.
April 09, 2021
The Japan-US Alliance During the Biden Administration
April 08, 2021
Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Operators Penalized for Sloppy Safeguards at Niigata
April 08, 2021
Japan Regulator Bans Nuke Plant Restart Over Lax Safeguards
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
April 15, 2021
Vietnam’s Great Debate Over Democracy
By Trien Vinh Le
Dynamic political reform can resolve an internal ideological conflict – and help differentiate Vietnam from China.
April 14, 2021
Afghan Civil Society Must Not Be Left Out of the Peace Process
April 09, 2021
Sri Lankan Muslims Fear Speaking Out
April 08, 2021
The US Must Help Afghans Who Helped It
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
April 13, 2021
Europe Adds Uzbekistan to GSP+ Trade Scheme
By Catherine Putz
The benefits -- zero tariffs on a range of goods -- come with rights monitoring requirements of shortcomings Uzbekistan may have difficulty improving.
April 12, 2021
Low Turnout for a Strong President: Kyrgyzstan Approves New Constitution
April 12, 2021
Turkic Council Sets Sights on Upgrade Rooted in Economic Connectivity Projects
April 10, 2021
Settling Central Asia’s Borders Is No Easy Task
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
April 10, 2021
US Envoy Kerry Discusses Climate Challenges in Bangladesh
By Julhas Alam
The U.S. special envoy on climate stopped in Bangladesh as part of a tour of climate change-vulnerable nations.
April 06, 2021
The China Plan: Transatlantic Blueprint for Strategic Competition
April 06, 2021
The Challenges of US China Policy
April 06, 2021
The Japan-US Summit and Cooperation With South Korea
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 06, 2021
New Zealand to Open Travel Bubble With Australia on April 19
By Nick Perry
Australia had previously allowed New Zealanders to arrive without going into quarantine but New Zealand had taken a more cautious approach.
April 06, 2021
Why Australia Needs to Prioritize Women
April 05, 2021
Heavy Rains Over Easter Weekend Flood Timor-Leste’s Capital
March 31, 2021
Palau President Visits Taiwan Despite Chinese Pressure
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 03, 2021
China’s Maritime Militia at Whitsun Reef: Trouble in the South China Sea
By Ankit Panda
China’s maritime militia is once again at the center of a crisis in the South China Sea. What now?
March 30, 2021
Breathing Fresh Life into Cambodia’s Art Scene
March 17, 2021
Southeast Asia’s Emerging Markets, Post-Pandemic
March 17, 2021
The ‘Quad’ Summit: Delivering Value in the Indo-Pacific
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.