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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.
COP31: An Opportunity That Australia Cannot Afford to Miss
By Melanie Pill and Richie Merzian
The benefits of co-hosting the annual climate negotiations by far outweigh the costs, both economically and strategically.
Airstrikes Amid Earthquakes: Myanmar’s Double Disaster
By Myra Dahgaypaw and La Min
The junta's muddled and repressive response to the devastating March 28 earthquake show where its priorities really lie.
Modi’s Waqf Bill a Potential Death Blow for Muslim Property Rights
By Rasheed Ahmed
Although the Indian government has justified the revisions in terms of transparency and anti-corruption, there is little reason to assume it is acting in good faith.
No Time to Waste for Asia-Pacific Leadership
By Christoph Nedopil, Dian Tjondronegoro, and Gloria Ge
The Asia-Pacific stands at a crossroads amid geopolitical, economic, and environmental volatility, but this turbulence presents an opportunity for transformative leadership.
Beyond the Barracks: Indonesia’s Military Edges Back Into Civilian Affairs
By Carolyn Nash
Recent revisions to the country's 2004 National Armed Forces Law have broken down the firewall between the military and civilian spheres.
The Chaos of Wage Theft in Bangladesh’s Garment Sector Requires Global Accountability
By Mohammad Imon Kazi
If wage theft and worker exploitation remains unresolved, Bangladesh’s development triumph will prove to be an empty miracle.
Trump’s Gutting of RFA Hurts Press Freedom – And Helps Its Opponents – Across Asia
By Montse Ferrer
RFA and VOA had been the most accessible alternatives to state media for many people in countries like China and North Korea. Not anymore.
Pakistan’s War on Balochistan Has Reached a Point of No Return
By Dilshad Baluch
The arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leader of the peaceful Baloch protest movement, has set the entire province aflame.
Afghan Schools Reopen for Another Year Without Girls
By Meena Ahmadi
Afghan women share stories of the toll the education ban is taking – and how they are fighting back.
What India Needs to do to Fix the Foundations of its WASH Sector
By Joel Kolker
It must cover operating costs and capital expenditures through a transparent long-term mix of taxes and user charges.
The Disappearance of Voice of America Is a Failure of American Values
By Li Qiang
For decades, VOA has not only brought accurate information to China, but has served as a rare conduit for Chinese activists to speak to the world.
A Rebuttal From Singapore’s US Ambassador
By Lui Tuck Yew
“We welcome legitimate investors and businessmen, but we act firmly and decisively against those who break our laws.”