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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.
The Next Chapter of Indonesia’s ‘Downstreaming’ Agenda
By Dimas Muhamad
Jakarta has made efforts maximize the benefits that it derives from its natural resources, but there is a lot more that could be done.
Can Malaysia Lead ASEAN on Accountability for Myanmar’s Muslim Minorities?
By Kyaw Win
Malaysian leaders have been vocal about the plight of the Rohingya and other Muslim communities. Now is their chance to make a difference.
Why Indonesia’s Path to Net Zero Requires Urgent Action at COP29
By Soyoung Oh and Agus Sari
Despite Jakarta's ambitious climate commitments, its domestic policies and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) will fall short of phasing out coal.
What Does a Woman’s Appointment as Prime Minister in Sri Lanka Teach the World About Gender Equality?
By Devana Senanayake
Having a woman as national leader is no guarantee of gender equality, as Sri Lanka’s case demonstrates.
A Dark Day for Thailand: Continued Impunity for the Tak Bai Massacre
By Peter Bouckaert
The country has two parallel systems of justice: one for the rich and well-connected, and another for everyone else.
What’s Happened to Cambodia’s Thinking Class?
By David Hutt
A recent article in the government-aligned Khmer Times reflects the etiolated state of public discourse in the country.
Prabowo Heralds an Uncertain Future For Fundamental Freedoms in Indonesia
By Rosalind Ratana and Cornelius Damar Hanung
The last administration showed an increasing disdain for democratic and human rights norms. The new one might be even worse.
Towards a More Resilient and United ASEAN
By Peter Brian M. Wang
Despite widespread skepticism about its upcoming chairmanship, Malaysia has a plan to remedy some of the bloc's root problems.
How the Patriotic Investment Act Can Counter China’s Stimulus Package
By David Rader and Adam Chan
A little-noticed bill introduced in the U.S. Congress has the potential to chill American investors’ appetite for Chinese assets.
In Financing ‘Infrastructure for Tomorrow,’ the AIIB Refuses to Learn From Its Past
By Tala Batangan
The AIIB has often failed to assess and mitigate project risks, leading to serious harm for people and the planet. And those harmed have not had an opportunity to seek justice.
Navigating Security and Privacy in the Asia-Pacific: A Legal and Diplomatic Balancing Act
By David S. Lobel-Mandrake
In response to mounting threats, governments have introduce a range of tighter security measures that often conflict with privacy and individual freedoms.
Amid the China-US Competition, Beware of Data Colonialism
By Mitchell Gallagher
As China and the U.S. compete to build digital infrastructure, they are intentionally fostering dependencies that strip away developing nations’ digital sovereignty.