Russian officials have mused openly about the prospects of a de facto takeover of the country’s Far East by Chinese immigrants (legal and illegal alike) reports Joshua Kucera. But a booming Chinese economy and disaffection with Moscow might actually be pushing Russians the other way.

The Diplomat speaks with Bonnie Glaser, senior fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Freeman Chair in China Studies, about US-Sino tensions, China’s alleged snub of Barack Obama and the country’s future role in the international community.

After taking a backseat to the United States and Russia in Central Asia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, China is finally making its mark in the region, says Joshua Kucera. But while the three powers vie for influence, it could be the 'stans' that are playing the wiliest game of all.

The massacre of dozens of journalists in The Philippines last November grabbed international headlines and shone a light on long-simmering tensions in the country’s south, reports Luke Hunt, who says clan rivalries, terrorist links and corruption have created a combustible mix ahead of May’s general election.

The United States and Pakistan were in an alliance of mutual convenience for much of the Cold War (although at odds for part of it) and have since been in a relationship of almost complete expediency.

The defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam last May has breathed new life into the democratic process for once marginalised groups in Tamil politics, says Sergei DeSilva-Ranasinghe. And, as Sri Lankans prepare to head to the polls, he says a new optimism is emerging that their society can be rebuilt.

The Diplomat speaks with Evan Feigenbaum, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and former US deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia, about regional integration and the future of the US role in the Asia-Pacific.

A recent influx of young lawmakers to India’s parliament masks a lack of dynamism in an increasingly dynastic political system. Shreyasi Singh takes a look at the threat of politicians keeping it in the family, and discovers the drive for change is coming from a surprising source.

The Diplomat speaks with Nina Hachigian, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and co-author of ‘The Next American Century: How the U.S. Can Thrive as Other Powers Rise,’ about US president Barack Obama’s recent trip to China, Sino-India tensions and whether China is destined for great power status.

Watchers of Asia’s two big rising powers are getting it wrong, says The Diplomat’s Madhav Nalapat. In focusing on economics and a border dispute, they are overlooking the biggest irritant to ties: a soft-spoken monk who was granted asylum in India 50 years ago.

The Diplomat speaks with Lawrence Prabhakar, Professor of Political Science at India’s Madras Christian College, about Manmohan Singh’s recent trip to Washington, Indo-US ties and China’s growing maritime presence in the Indian Ocean.

The offer to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of a position as an economic adviser to Cambodian Premier Hun Sen has inflamed relations between the two countries. The Diplomat contributor Luke Hunt travels to Phnom Penh, Bangkok and Preah Vihear and finds out how Thaksin’s new role has upset the Thai monarchy and quietly amused Beijing.

The doyen of the Democratic Party discusses Afghanistan, China, North Korea, Obama and the GFC with Daniel Collings.

Fair trial or kangaroo court? Ben Bland reports from Kuala Lumpur on former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s efforts to criminalise war.

The defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in May brought an end to Sri Lanka’s civil war. But the conflict also shed light on a bitter geopolitical struggle taking place against the backdrop of the declining influence of the West and the emerging influence of India and China. Sergei DeSilva-Ranasinghe explores the implications of Sri Lanka’s evolving foreign policy.

Bangladesh has endured a turbulent past, and faces a far from settled future, argues Tanveer Ahmed.