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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.
Xi Jinping and China's Return to One-Man Rule
By Quinn Marschik
Throughout Chinese history, one-man rule has been the norm. The abolition of presidential term limits should not surprise anyone.
What Will Mike Pompeo Bring to US-China Ties?
By Ankit Panda
In Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump has the enabler for his multifaceted China policy.
The Trump-Kim Summit and the Truth About North Korean Denuclearization
By Ankit Panda and Vipin Narang
The good, the bad, and the ugly about Trump's upcoming summit with Kim Jong-un.
Is Pompeo’s Appointment Making US Military Action in Asia More Likely?
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to embrace more hawkish policies than his predecessor.
What My DNA Says About India’s History
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
What a dive into the past, as told through genetics, can reveal about South Asia's history.
Tillerson Is Out, But Let's Hope His North Korea Approach Sticks Around
By Edward Howell
What Trump can learn from Tillerson’s approach to North Korea.
Can the Quad Counter China's Belt and Road Initiative?
By Zhiqun Zhu
For a number of reasons, a proposed plan is unlikely to ever materialize.
Thinking the Unthinkable: Central Europe at War With North Korea
By Tomáš A. Nagy
The “soft” and “light” military capabilities of Central European armies could come in handy if war erupts on the Peninsula.
Why Did Duterte Chicken out of the ASEAN-Australia Summit?
By Luke Hunt
The strongman is clearly afraid of the scrutiny that might come from making the trip.
Bangladesh’s ‘Digital Island’ Brings Future to Nation’s Poorest
By Sajeeb Wazed
A remote, impoverished island is now a showcase for the government's Digital Bangladesh initiative.
The Trouble With Talk of Kim Yo-Jong's 'Charm Offensive'
By Antoine Got and Danny Anderson
Media depictions of Kim Yo-Jong as a charming 'princess' reveal a larger bias against women in diplomacy.
Washington Must Own up to Superpower Competition With China
By Will Saetren and Hunter Marston
The first step is for the U.S. to admit that China is a full-blown superpower.