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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.
January 28, 2022
How Realpolitik 2.0 Can Prevent a Global Conflict
By Liam Gibson and Erich Elkins
Proponents of a rules-based order can learn much from the pragmatic policies pursued by West German leaders during the Cold War.
January 27, 2022
Taiwan Provides Powerful Lessons on Democratic Resilience
By Zoe Leung and Alan H. Yang
The future of democracy hinges on inclusive partnerships among like-minded democracies and stakeholders.
January 27, 2022
Barbados’ New Republic: A Win for China?
By Judith Mwai and Lauren Ashmore
Centering Barbados’ decision to end ties with the British monarchy around China only underscores the problem: The U.K.'s lack of interest in Barbados and similar countries.
January 25, 2022
Myanmar Has Moved Beyond Aung San Suu Kyi vs. the Generals
By Philipp Annawitt
One year on from Myanmar's coup, things on the ground have moved on. It's time the international community does as well.
January 22, 2022
North Korea’s Escalation Strategy Won’t Work Anymore
By Man-seok Lee and Seung-min Woo
If North Korea conducted the recent missile tests in order to convince the U.S. to return to the negotiation table, Pyongyang should quickly change strategy.
January 21, 2022
How Energy is Aiding ASEAN’s Post-Pandemic Recovery
By Helena Aurellia and Gabriella Ienanto
The energy sector is in a good position to drive ASEAN's recovery and its transition to a greener economy.
January 20, 2022
It’s Time for a Japan-US Pandemic Partnership
By James Gannon
Beyond their moral responsibility, Japan and the United States have compelling interests in doing more together to battle COVID-19 internationally.
January 19, 2022
Little Blue Helmets in Kazakhstan
By Matt Cavanaugh and Jahara Matisek
A blue line was crossed; the international community must respond.
January 16, 2022
Summit for Democracy Showed the Challenges to Democracy
By MIMAKI Seiko
The problem is not just the rival camp, but the unclear US strategy.
January 14, 2022
How Myanmar’s Coup Has Reshaped Its Ethnic Conflicts
By Thomas Kean
The coup has given way to potentially transformative negotiations aimed at the creation of a genuinely inclusive federal state.
January 14, 2022
How COVID-19 Has Enriched Asia’s Wealthy and Punished Its Poor
By Sebastian Strangio
A new report from the NGO Oxfam provides crucial context for the region's recent democratic decline.
January 12, 2022
How to Lose a Cold War With China
By Danny Sjursen
The U.S. military and its civilian leaders are overemphasizing militarized responses to what is largely an economic and diplomatic challenge.
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