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.
New Zealand and Williamson Script Journey to Remember in 2019 Cricket World Cup
By Kiran Mohandas Menon
New Zealand’s unconventional and rather unexpected path to the final was among the highlights of the 2019 World Cup.
Rise of the Korean Zombie Thriller
By Layne Vandenberg
Mixing symbolic cinematography, imaginative storylines, and harsh societal critiques, Korea has joined the zombie craze.
The Poll: An Indian Board Game Reflects Indian Society and Politics
By Krzysztof Iwanek
What does a board game tell us about today’s India? (A lot, actually.)
Should Amateur Baseball Players Go Pro in South Korea and Japan?
By Troy Stangarone
Shifting trends in Major League Baseball open a potential window for teams in Japan and South Korea to compete for top amateur talent.
Taiwan’s Airline Employees Are Striking for the 2nd Time in 2019
By Nick Aspinwall
A strike by over 2,000 EVA Airways flight attendants is entering its second week, further dampening a difficult 2019 for the major Taiwan airline.
Asia Stands up to 'Waste Colonialism'
By Shona Warren
Developing nations in Asia are no longer willing to receive metric tonnes of untreated, unsorted rubbish.
Labor Exploitation, Illegal Fishing Continue to Plague Asian Seas
By James X. Morris
A new EJF report finds widespread violations in the global seafood industry, including in Taiwan, Vietnam, and elsewhere in Asia.
Suketu Mehta’s Manifesto: This Land is Our Land
By Krzysztof Iwanek
This Land is Our Land is a defense of people’s right to migrate and a strong critique of Trump’s migration policies.
Taiwan’s Democracy Is Utterly Confounded by Populist Mayor Han Kuo-yu
By Nick Aspinwall
The controversial Kaohsiung mayor, now a presidential frontrunner, was never supposed to make it this far. It’s an increasingly familiar story.
Cutting Chopsticks From China's Food Delivery Waste
By Layne Vandenberg
China’s food delivery industry is searching for ways to make the sector more environmentally conscious, one order at a time.
The Significance of Son Heung-min, South Korea’s Star Footballer
By Layne Vandenberg
The 26-year-old striker for the Tottenham Hotspurs is one of South Korea’s most valuable cultural exports.
Coping With War, Afghans Turn to Art and Books
By Ezzatullah Mehrdad
Dealing with decades of violence and war, Afghans turn to art and books to soothe their souls.