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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.
Political Struggles at Home Shape Beijing’s Meddling Abroad
By Sarah Cook
Authoritarian rule in China poses a growing threat to democracy elsewhere.
Trump's Dangerous Twitter Rebuke of Tillerson May Make Diplomacy Impossible With North Korea
By Ankit Panda
Trump's comments risk serious destabilization and even war.
Forget Diplomacy With North Korea if Trump Decertifies the Iran Deal
By Troy Stangarone
Reopening the Iran deal risks placing the United States in the middle of two nuclear crises.
Kabul to Host Silk Road Mayors Forum in Defiance of Security Threats
By M. Ashraf Haidari
The 12th Silk Road Mayors Forum is due to open in Kabul on October 20.
Taiwan’s Human Rights Revolution and China’s Devolution
By Margaret K. Lewis
There is an increasing divergence between China and Taiwan with respect to protecting human rights.
Trump Goes to Asia: What's on the Line?
By Ankit Panda
Donald Trump's first trip to Asia won't be a walk in the park.
Matching Means and Ends in North Korea
By Theresa Lou
Sanctions won't work and haven't worked against North Korea. What will?
Asia’s Older People Are Key Players in the Global Development Agenda
By Shamshad Akhtar
With the right preparation, we can benefit from a golden generation of healthy, wealthy and active older persons.
Rohingya Fleeing Myanmar Face Difficulties in Thailand
By Audrey Gaughran
Thailand needs to take action to address its failure to offer protection to those most in need.
Attacking KORUS is Worse than Abandoning TPP
By Shihoko Goto
Retreating from the agreement would not only damage U.S.-ROK relations but impact key U.S. industries that have benefited from the deal.
MIKTA’s Next Steps
By Fikry Cassidy
Its members -- Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia -- have some shared and some divergent interests.
US Threat of War on North Korea: Fulfilling 'Rocket Man' Kim Jong Un’s Wishes
By Patrik K. Meyer
A misguided, ineffective, and disastrous war.