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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.
What Trump Left Out of His Afghanistan Strategy: China
By Ankit Panda
Trump's vision of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan came off as myopic, ignoring a role for other regional powers.
Democracy in Asia: A Glass Half Full or Half Empty?
By Leena Rikkila Tamang and Mette Bakken
How has democracy fared in Asia over the last decade – and what can help in pushing the agenda forward?
Not One More Child: Dealing with Sex Crimes Against Children in Malaysia
By Dominique F. Fernandes
The government has rolled out laudable measures but the public understanding of such heinous crimes remains woefully inadequate.
Najib’s US Visit Sends a Troubling Message on Rule of Law
By Trevor Sutton and Brian Harding
The visit sends a clear message that the White House is not an ally against graft but a friend of kleptocracy.
The Inherent Dangers of the US Proposal to Legalize Interdiction of North Korean Ships
By Mark J. Valencia
Why do Washington's attempts to push for interdiction make other countries uneasy?
North Korea: In Deterrence We Trust
By James M. Acton
Time to choose the less dangerous option.
What China Can and Can't Do About North Korea
By Ankit Panda
China's economic and political sway over the North Korean regime is limited.
Calm Down About Taiwan’s New Premier
By Michael A. Turton
If a tree falls in a Taiwanese forest, cross-Strait relations are tense.
Towards a Resource Efficient and Pollution Free Asia-Pacific
By Shamshad Akhtar and Erik Solheim
This week sees the first-ever Asia-Pacific Ministerial Summit on the Environment.
2017 BRICS Declaration Casts a Light on Pakistan's Use of Cross-Border Terror
By Aziz Amin Ahmadzai
The BRICS declaration at Xiamen showed Pakistan that its isolation is growing.
Finally, Strategic Clarity in the South China Sea. Is the Taiwan Strait Next?
By Joseph Bosco
Routine FONOPS in the South China Sea are long overdue -- as are Taiwan Strait passages.
North Korea is Clearly Not Feeling the Pain
By Liang Tuang Nah
Real economic pressure remains the only real option to curb Pyongyang's proliferation.