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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.
October 24, 2019
The Future of Biometrics: Opportunities and Challenges
By Trisha Ray
While the use of biometrics has its advantages, countries are only beginning to wrestle with the underlying challenges it poses.
October 24, 2019
Saving Our Oceans: A Plea for Action
By David W. Panuelo
“One island, one atoll, one country at a time – that’s how we meet this challenge.”
October 23, 2019
Education Is the Key to Empowering Afghan Women
By Sabera Azizi
Afghan women see more influence than ever, but prejudice and sexism remain barriers.
October 23, 2019
The Internal and International Dimensions of Sri Lanka’s Presidential Elections
By Ana Pararajasingham
A Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidency will have serious repercussions for both Sri Lanka’s internal governance as well as its international partnerships.
October 21, 2019
The Second ‘Informal Summit’ Is Done. Now for the Hard Part in India-China Ties
By Ankit Panda
The optics of the latest “informal summit” aside, India and China remain worlds apart on major issues.
October 18, 2019
After the Kurds, Will Trump Abandon Afghanistan Next?
By Uzair Younus
Given the Syria debacle, one cannot rule out a tweet that abruptly announces the end of the war in Afghanistan.
October 17, 2019
Brazil is Clueless About the Indo-Pacific
By Dawisson Belém Lopes
Brazil has potential to become a global player; but Brasilia has not clearly defined its grand strategic vision.
October 16, 2019
Trump’s Devastating Silence on China’s Human Rights Abuses
By Naz El-Khatib and Ashley Wood
Trump’s obsession with “strength” at the expense of human rights has been a defining feature of his views on China.
October 11, 2019
Is Democracy Dying in Afghanistan?
By Jumakhan Rahyab
The recent presidential election, coupled with a long list of government failures, is a serious alarm heralding the death of democracy in Afghanistan.
October 10, 2019
Singapore’s New Yale-NUS Controversy: Was Academic Freedom Violated?
By Alicja Polakiewicz
Did the cancellation of an event on dissent challenge the college’s commitment to academic freedom?
October 10, 2019
Afghanistan-Sri Lanka: Natural Partners in Democracy and Development
By M. Ashraf Haidari
Despite occasional challenges, Sri Lanka’s democracy is vibrant and resilient, inspiring younger democracies such as Afghanistan.
October 07, 2019
The Taliban Go Global
By Rupert Stone
The Taliban, long an isolated and parochial movement, is going global