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.
Review: Two Worlds, Eerily Similar in Rushdie’s Golden House
By Sumit Poudyal
"Histories of empires are misleadingly romantic, because they obscure the inglorious end for too long."
Shrimps, Cheese, and Knives: What Do Nations Really Fight for?
By Krzysztof Iwanek
The ‘Dokdo shrimp’ controversy is not the first argument of its kind – in Asia or elsewhere.
A Semantic Masala: Oxford English Dictionary Fills up With Indian Words
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Dozens of new English-Indian terms reveal a lot about the dialogue of cultures.
The Difficult Discussion on Cambodia’s Forests
By Tyler Roney
Cambodia did not take kindly to satellite images from NASA showing the extent of deforestation.
Why Doesn’t Taiwan Make Political Movies?
By Anthony Kao
Films about Taiwan political history are few and far between, especially compared to South Korean cinema.
No, the Taj Mahal Wasn't a Hindu Temple
By Krzysztof Iwanek
But attempts to prove it was are interesting feats of selective partisan history.
‘The Nonsense of Witnessing Such Beauty’: Malinowski’s Tryst with Sri Lanka
By Krzysztof Iwanek
The great ethnographer’s little-known adventures on the way to the Pacific.
Destny in Numbrs: How Numerology is Ruining Indian Names and Traditions
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Want to change your fate? Change your name!
Game of Fans: China and India’s Reception of the Game of Thrones
By Antonina Luszczykiewicz and Krzysztof Iwanek
The popular HBO show left an imprint even on Chinese and Indian pop culture.
Sugary Soda Tax Not Enough to Halt the March of Obesity in Asia
By Asit K. Biswas and Kris Hartley
Alarmingly, two out of five adults in the Asia-Pacific region are either overweight or obese.
Symbols and Time: Debating Official Scripts in India
By Krzysztof Iwanek
India scripts a retention of its diversity – through scripts.
One Last Lens on North Korea
By Tyler Roney
One of the last American tourists to visit North Korea hopes to showcase the country's complex nature.