Blog
Asia Life
Sports, culture and the arts are a passion for billions in the Asia-Pacific, and offer unique insights into what makes countries here tick. From the latest cricket match to prize-winning novels and the latest art exhibitions, The Diplomat's bloggers cover it all, giving you a fresh perspective on the region.
Defying National Divide, Indians and Pakistanis Unite in Matrimony
By Ayesha Khan and Tahira Noor
“We saw each other as individuals rather than as an Indian or a Pakistani."
Daryaganj: Old World Charm at Delhi’s Used Book Bazaar
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Delhi’s Sunday book market is exceptional and very Indian.
The Game of the Great Games: How the Olympic Fad Hurts the Postcolonial World
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Seeking international recognition through grand sport events exacts a heavy price on Asian cities.
Pakistan’s Cinematic Revolution in the Making
By Turyal Azam Khan
Cake and Motorcycle Girl signal a new, refreshing direction for Pakistani cinema
Adopt a Heritage: Should Private Companies Be Caretakers of Indian National Monuments?
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Will sites like the Taj Mahal become better managed or will they become banners for private firms?
Modern, Not Western: Why Hindu Nationalists Do Not Resist Technology
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Modern technology is not inherently Western and the East does not resist it.
Using Education to Make Japan Great Again?
By Richard Solomon
The rise of authoritarian tendencies in Japanese schools is a worrying trend.
Isao Takahata: A Life of Changing the Perceptions and Possibilities of Animation
By Kiran Mohandas Menon
Isao Takahata died last week at 82. He created some of the most influential and poignant films in the history of Japanese animation.
How Ancient Exchanges in Central Asia Shaped the Modern World
By William Taylor
Across the high mountains of Central Asia, movements of people, plants, and animals shaped human history.
How Marvel Failed to Promote Seoul and Busan
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Black Panther and Age of Ultron did not focus on the unique highlights of Korean cities.
Remembering Cambodia Rock Star Kak Channthy
By Luke Hunt
The frontwoman of the Cambodian Space Project, who died in a fatal car crash Tuesday morning, breathed life into a music scene devastated by three decades of war.
The Rise of South Korea’s Soft Power in the Middle East
By Donya Saberi
As the case of the UAE shows, Seoul has enticed greater relations via pop culture and reinforced its interests with economic power.