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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.
Can Imran Khan Become Tehran's Man in Islamabad?
By Rupert Stone
Pakistan’s next prime minister wants to improve relations with Iran, but he may struggle.
Is Japan Finally Turning Away From Coal?
By Marie Tanao
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank and Nippon Life start the race to move beyond coal in Asia.
Imran Khan: Another Act in Pakistan’s Circus
By C. Christine Fair
It wasn't Imran Khan who won the election. It was (as always) Pakistan's army.
Taiwan Is Not a Bargaining Chip
By Patrick M. Cronin and Kristine Lee
As Washington dials up pressure on Beijing, it should not view Taiwan simply as a lever in its diplomatic toolkit.
Doing More Harm Than Good: International Election Aid to Cambodia
By Charles Santiago
International election aid to Cambodia will only lend legitimacy to a sham vote.
National Ambitions Meet Local Opposition Along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
By Michael Kovrig
Pakistan's central government is all-in on CPEC. But at key points, local communities are resisting.
Amid the Election Fanfare, How Are Pakistan’s Minorities Faring?
By Ben Francis
The role of minorities in 21st century Pakistan and the issues they face has been absent from public discourse.
Why the Pakistan Army Is Vying to Influence the General Elections
By Kunwar Khuldune Shahid
The upcoming election is about more than Nawaz Sharif – or even Pakistani democracy.
Afghanistan’s Success Story? Its Young Leaders
By Maiwand Rahyab
Afghanistan’s young leaders are uniquely prepared to move Afghanistan toward a better future.
Sri Lanka’s Strategy for Regional Security
By Barana Waidyatilake
As geopolitical competition intensifies in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka’s best strategy is to stand for a rules-based order.
Even After the Singapore Summit, Denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula Might Be a Pipe Dream
By Ankit Panda
North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons. Successful U.S. diplomacy hinges on that realization.
China and the Lessons of Modern Surveillance Technology
By Amitai Etzioni
Could a model of AI-based surveillance actually be a force for good?