DRI | COVID-19 IN ASIA
Presented by Diplomat Risk Intelligence
September 25, 2020
Uzbekistan’s COVID-19 Response Exposes Tashkent’s Reform Successes and Failures
By Benjamin Godwin
What does the coronavirus response say about the government’s ability to deliver on its ambitious reform program?
September 23, 2020
COVID-19 Is Further Disenfranchising China’s Queer Youth
By Lakshmi Iyengar and Yu Songqi
The pandemic and the ensuing need to quarantine, often with conservative family, poses unique issues for young LGBTQ+ Chinese.
September 22, 2020
The Riddle of COVID-19 and Democracy in Southeast Asia
By Sebastian Strangio
How much should we read into the fact that the region’s most robust democracies have fared the worst from the coronavirus? Probably not a lot.
DRI | APAC Risks, Analyzed
DRI
September 30, 2020
Another ‘Quad’ Ministerial in Early October 2020: What Now?
By Ankit Panda
A new Suga administration in Japan will host the second-ever Quad ministerial.
September 25, 2020
Southeast Asia Caught Between the US and China
By Ankit Panda
How do Southeast Asian countries view intensifying geopolitical competition between the United States and China in Asia?
September 25, 2020
Can China Become the World Leader in Semiconductors?
By Justin Hodiak and Scott W. Harold
China’s semiconductor industry faces considerable challenges in reaching global leadership status. But don't assume it's impossible.
Magazine
M
September 01, 2020
Inter-Korea Relations: Things Fall Apart
By Christopher Green
The diplomacy of 2018 could have changed the political landscape of the Korean peninsula permanently. Two years later, does any of that progress remain?
September 01, 2020
Australia Steps Up in Defense of the Indo-Pacific Order
By Ashley Townshend and Brendan Thomas-Noone
The Strategic Update provides a blueprint for how Australia will navigate a “poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly” future in the Indo-Pacific.
September 01, 2020
What’s Left of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan?
By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska
While the IMU itself might no longer be an important player in the complex landscape of international jihad, it may yet be too soon to portend its total demise.
September 01, 2020
China and the EU: A Tale of Two Summits
By Theresa Fallon
COVID-19 has accelerated shifting dynamics in EU-China relations.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
September 29, 2020
It’s Time to Offer Washington Innovative Solutions for Dealing with China
By Bonnie Girard
As recent testimony to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission demonstrates, there’s a need for specific, innovative policy suggestions regarding China.
September 28, 2020
COVID-19: The Nail in the Coffin of China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
September 28, 2020
China Fires Back at US Over Environment, South China Sea
September 25, 2020
China Is Signaling Its Desire to Improve Relations With the US. Is Anyone Listening?
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
October 01, 2020
China Muddies Waters Further in Ladakh by Resurrecting Old Claim
By Abhijnan Rej
With each passing provocative claim, Beijing is making the possibility of a face-saving solution remote for India – and itself.
September 29, 2020
Less Than the Sum of Its Parts: China’s ‘Negative Competition’ in the Middle East
September 29, 2020
Quad Foreign Ministers to Meet in Tokyo on October 6
September 28, 2020
The Code of Conduct for the South China Sea: A Long and Bumpy Road
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
September 30, 2020
No Matter Who Wins in November, Budget Cuts and Domestic Politics Will Crimp America’s China Strategy
By Jacob Parakilas
Even though China is a rare point of convergence for both parties, partisan politics and COVID-19 induced cuts will affect the U.S. military’s ability to hold the fort in Asia-Pacific come January.
September 30, 2020
Why US Export Control Policy Matters
September 28, 2020
India and Japan Hold Bilateral Naval Exercise in North Arabian Sea
September 26, 2020
Pentagon Hosts Meeting on Ethical Use of Military AI With Allies and Partners
By Other Means
Geopolitics in Asia With Ankit Panda
BSeptember 30, 2020
Another ‘Quad’ Ministerial in Early October 2020: What Now?
By Ankit Panda
A new Suga administration in Japan will host the second-ever Quad ministerial.
September 16, 2020
What Can Asia Expect From Suga’s Japan?
September 13, 2020
India and Japan’s Proactive Convergence Continues: The ACSA and Beyond
September 05, 2020
India-China Tensions Spike in the Himalayas
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
September 30, 2020
Opposition Leaders Testing Cambodia’s Chilly Political Waters
By Luke Hunt
The maneuvering of Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy once again spells trouble for their supporters inside Cambodia.
September 30, 2020
Sino-Thai Railway Inches Toward Resumption
September 30, 2020
As Thailand’s Protests Gather Momentum, What is the Endgame?
September 30, 2020
Philippine President Targets Facebook for Taking Down Fake Accounts
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
September 30, 2020
Indian Court Acquits All Accused in the 1992 Destruction of a 16th Century Mosque
By Abhijnan Rej
The contentious Ayodhya verdict is likely to further aggravate Hindu-Muslim relations in India.
September 30, 2020
Reckoning With India’s Illiberal Turn – Or Buyer’s Remorse?
September 29, 2020
Will an Intra-Afghan Peace Deal Bring Displaced Afghans Home?
September 29, 2020
Afghan Peace Negotiator Urges New Era in Ties with Pakistan
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
September 25, 2020
Kim Jong Un Apologizes Over Shooting Death of South Korean
By Associated Press
South Korean officials said the North Korean leader had issued a rare apology, likely to de-escalate tensions after the shocking incident.
September 25, 2020
Role of Unification Ministry Questioned After South Korean Official Shot Dead by the North
September 24, 2020
Seoul Says North Korea Killed South Korean Official, Burned His Body
September 23, 2020
South Korea President Stresses Peace, Inclusiveness, and Multilateralism at UN
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
September 25, 2020
Can Japan’s New Suga Administration Steer the Battered Economy Toward Growth?
By Thisanka Siripala
All eyes are on the Suga administration’s policy agenda after committing to advancing his predecessor’s Abenomics growth strategy.
September 22, 2020
After Abe, Opportunities Loom for Japan-Indonesia Relations
September 18, 2020
Japan’s Defense Ministry Launches Protocol for UFO Sightings
September 17, 2020
In Japan’s Post-Abe Era, Addressing Political Gender Inequality is Essential
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
September 30, 2020
Myanmar Desertions Offer an Opening for Rohingya Justice
By Shannon Maree Torrens
The recent confessions of the two Myanmar army defectors bring justice one step closer to fruition.
September 25, 2020
Democracy Is Dying in Bangladesh. Targeted Sanctions Could Save It.
September 24, 2020
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit on the Struggle for a Free Thailand
September 24, 2020
The India-China Ladakh Crisis: Why So Silent, World?
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
September 29, 2020
China-India Tensions Put New Delhi at the Margins of the SCO
By Phunchok Stobdan
As Sino-India relations enter free-fall, New Delhi finds itself at the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
September 29, 2020
After Brawls and Protests, Kyrgyzstan’s Campaigns Near Election Day
September 25, 2020
Uzbekistan’s COVID-19 Response Exposes Tashkent’s Reform Successes and Failures
September 24, 2020
What Did Central Asia’s Leaders Have to Say to the UN General Assembly?
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
September 29, 2020
How the US Army Fits into America’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
By Francis P. Sempa
The geography of the Indo-Pacific requires a strong U.S. naval and air presence, but the army has a critical role to play, too.
September 28, 2020
Can America Escape Plutocracy?
September 22, 2020
New York City Police Officer of Tibetan Origin Charged With Acting as ‘Illegal Agent’ of China
September 18, 2020
What the US Thinks It Learned About Kim Jong Un
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
September 30, 2020
Are Private Chinese Companies Really Private?
By Stephen Olson
Beijing has been very transparent about its intentions and ambitions when it comes to “private” sector businesses.
September 29, 2020
Indonesia’s State-Owned Power Company is Hemorrhaging Cash – And That’s OK
September 26, 2020
Taiwan Charges Five Politicians With Bribery, Sparking Criticism of Weak Lobbying Laws
September 23, 2020
Turkey’s Turn to the Asia-Pacific
Asia Life
The Other Asia-Pacific
L
September 28, 2020
Uncle Roger: The East to West Comedic Sensation
By Layne Vandenberg
Nigel Ng’s viral comedy sketches, featuring his middle-aged Malaysian “uncle” alter-ego, have resonated with fans both in Asia and the West.
September 25, 2020
Hong Kong-Indonesian Couples Caught in the Middle Amid COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
September 21, 2020
Beyond Data Privacy: Trump’s Proposed Ban of WeChat
September 18, 2020
‘Mulan’ Wanted Chinese Money. Taiwan’s Rising Filmmakers Don’t.
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
September 30, 2020
New Caledonia Again Ponders Independence From France
By Joshua Mcdonald
A second independence referendum, of a possible three, is scheduled for October 4.
September 28, 2020
Bougainville Elects Ishmael Toroama President, Eyes Set on Independence
September 24, 2020
The Waning Health of US Democracy Is a Poignant Reminder for Australia
September 24, 2020
The Case of Cheng Lei: China Blurring the Lines of Ethnicity and Citizenship
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
PSeptember 25, 2020
Southeast Asia Caught Between the US and China
By Ankit Panda
How do Southeast Asian countries view intensifying geopolitical competition between the United States and China in Asia?
September 21, 2020
Cambodia’s Microfinance Industry in Troubled Waters
September 09, 2020
Assessing Abe Shinzo’s Geopolitical Legacy
September 03, 2020
Space Security and Geopolitical Competition in the Asia-Pacific
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
September 21, 2020
Scenes From Thailand’s Massive Protests Demanding Reform
By Cory Wright
For months, protesters in Thailand have called for reforms. This weekend as many as 100,000 protesters descended on Bangkok.