Blog
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.
How China Hinders Venezuelans’ Struggle for Democracy
By Leopoldo López and Jianli Yang
China is a core part of the autocratic network that props up the Maduro regime in Venezuela.
Cambodian Propaganda: Playing the Victim to Get Away With Murder
By Arthur Eremita
In recent months, government-aligned media outlets have had one mission: to deflect and deny reports about the country's surge in sophisticated cyber-fraud operations.
On LGBTQ+ Issues, India Needs to Look Back to Look Ahead
By Sujit Bhar
Indian society today has forgotten its past, its glorious history, and its ability to understand and accommodate the many facets of life.
Restoring North Korea’s Childhood Immunization Program
By Hyung Joon Kim
Amid strict border closures, North Korea’s childhood immunization coverage has dropped from 97 percent to 0 percent in 2022.
António Guterres Should Act on China’s Genocide of the Uyghurs
By Omer Kanat
Photo ops with genocidaires discredit his legacy, his office, and the United Nations as an agent of world peace.
Newsom’s Big Test: China, Climate, and Human Rights
By Brad Adams
The California governor can and should address human rights – such as free speech, peaceful protest, and participation in public affairs – as part of his discussions on climate change.
The Growing Significance of Malaysia and Indonesia’s Non-Recognition of Israel
By Aiza Mohamad
With more Arab states choosing to normalize relations with Tel Aviv, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur have emerged as prominent advocates for the Palestinian cause.
Vietnam Must Do More to Support Women and Other Marginalized Communities
By Ngoc Thuy Bui
During the Vietnam War, thousands of women were raped by South Korean soldiers and later bore their children. The government continues to turn a blind eye to their suffering.
North Korea’s Human Rights Abuses and Weapons of Mass Destruction Are Inextricably Linked
By Jack Rendler
The U.N. Security Council should simultaneously address the nuclear program and the human rights abuses that are inseparable aspects of the Kim Jong Un regime.
Australia Shirks Responsibility to Indigenous Communities With Rejected Voice Referendum
By Grant Wyeth
Rather than understand the responsibility Australia has for its Indigenous population, both the Liberal and National parties sensed political opportunity in opposing the Voice.
No Media Lessons Learned From Thailand’s Siam Paragon Tragedy
By Mark S. Cogan
The Thai and international media have treated the country's latest episode of gun violence as a spectacle.
Canada’s Foreign Interference Inquiries Should Not Be Distracted by Diplomatic Struggles With India
By Chauncey Jung
While Trudeau is correct in expanding the scope of foreign interference, it is necessary to distinguish the different tactics India and China have adopted in Canada.