Blog
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.
How Sri Lanka Can Enhance the Bay of Bengal Initiative
By Anishka De Zylva and Divya Hundlani
Sri Lanka has diverse and untapped opportunities to transform BIMSTEC into a more impactful organization.
How Enforced Disappearances Get Suppressed in Bangladeshi Media
By Faisal Mahmud
Enforced disappearances have become an accepted reality, and the media appear nonchalant about such cases.
Overcoming the EU-Indonesia Palm Oil Challenge
By Andi Sparringa
While differences persist, there is enough room for both sides to carve out wider collaboration on sustainability issues.
US-China Relations: From Cooperating Rivals to Competing Rivals
By He Yafei
China and the United States' relationship as “cooperating rivals” lasted for four decades. Now it's changed.
Myanmar Remains Disingenuous When It Comes to Rohingya Repatriation
By Farhaan Uddin Ahmed
In a recent speech, Aung San Suu Kyi tried to shift blame to Bangladesh for the delay in repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
Trump's Space Force Misses the Mark on Chinese and Russian Space Threats
By Ankit Panda
The United States should avoid launching an arms race in space.
Trump’s Disastrous Plan to Increase Contracting in Afghanistan
By Noah Coburn
Such a move would be militarily unsound, financially unproven, and disastrous for human rights.
Foreign Companies Should Give up Their China Fantasy
By Chauncey Jung
China is now attempting to force foreign companies to accept its own ideology.
Bhutan’s Unique Success in Reducing Poverty
By Kezang Wangchuk
“If the government cannot create happiness for its people, there is no purpose for the government to exist.”
The Repression of Uyghurs Is Now an All-Out War Against a People
By Omer Kanat
Uyghurs fear that Beijing wants nothing less than for them to disappear as a people.
Korea's Heatwave Is an Opportunity for Samsung to Act
By Insung Lee
Now is the tech giant’s chance to truly “Do Bigger Things” for climate change.
ASEAN Security 'Centrality' and the South China Sea
By Mark J. Valencia
ASEAN ‘‘centrality’’ in security of the South China Sea is rapidly becoming ever more an unobtainable goal.