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The Debate
The Debate is our home for the best opinions from around Asia. Whether it is negotiating with Iran, responding to North Korean provocations, discussing Japan's looming demographic issues, or considering the new balance of power in the Asia-Pacific, some of the region's leading thinkers offer their take.
March 28, 2020
Suspending Sanctions on Iran During the COVID-19 Crisis Serves American Interests
By Lucille Greer
A temporary suspension of sanctions now will serve the United States well in future negotiations with Iran.
March 27, 2020
A Rohingya Coronavirus Catastrophe Looms if Their Internet Blackout Continues
By Sirazul Islam
Leaving the group cut off from the outside world leaves them especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
March 27, 2020
Trump’s COVID-19 Blame Game
By Chi Wang
Trump’s “Chinese virus” rhetoric is politically motivated, but diplomatically damaging.
March 25, 2020
COVID-19 and Protests Need Not Cripple Tourism-Heavy Hong Kong
By Jason Hung
The city is well-positioned to weather both challenges, but it will take innovative policy thinking.
March 24, 2020
China’s Coronavirus Information Warfare
By Valérie Niquet
Beijing has embarked on a desperate information war in an attempt to revive its global image amid the pandemic.
March 23, 2020
The Taliban Doesn’t Care About Women’s Rights and Neither Does the Afghan Government
By Sabera Azizi
The Afghan government must take a greater stake in the future of the country’s women.
March 20, 2020
Why China’s COVID-19 Disinformation Campaign Isn’t Working in Taiwan
By Yi-Ting Lien
Taiwan’s resiliency highlights the importance of its participation in global efforts to fight coronavirus misinformation.
March 20, 2020
Cooperating to Save Laos’ Plain of Jars
By Kamonrat Chayamarit
With disaster management efforts just now underway, the Plain of Jars is an important example of safeguarding World Heritage.
March 20, 2020
India’s Banks Are Imploding – As Is Its Fintech Bubble
By Sarika Kumar
No investor will be convinced to enter India until it gets its house in order.
March 20, 2020
It’s Time for US Companies to Investigate Forced Labor in China
By Richard Altieri and Benjamin Della Rocca
The U.S. government should shift the burden of due diligence to companies, which are best positioned to uncover their business partners’ labor practices.
March 18, 2020
Uneven ‘Extremism’ Justice in Kyrgyzstan
By Laura Mills
In Kyrgyzstan, there are people serving time for a crime no longer in the books.
March 18, 2020
Coronavirus and the Future of Globalization
By Mie Oba
The pandemic may exacerbate an existing tendency for countries to turn inward.
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