Topic
Society
Kazakhstan’s Yurts of Peace: Citizen Diplomacy in the Making
By Zhaniya Bekshora
Kazakh citizen diplomacy can be viewed as a tool for cultivating humanism and demonstrating solidarity, as well as an important foreign policy instrument.
Silenced in China, Grassroots Activists Commemorate the White Paper Protests Abroad
By Yaqiu Wang
A year after the massive demonstrations against draconian lockdown rules, participants have an abiding new sense of strength and responsibility.
Gender Norms and Women’s Double Burden in East Asia
By Jessica Shao and Yoolim Lee
South Korea, Japan, and China share similar issues with entrenched gender norms regarding childcare and employment, which are being reflected in their plunging birthrates.
Women’s Rights in the Balance as India Weighs Criminalizing Marital Rape
By Saumya Uma
India's Supreme Court is poised to deliver a landmark judgement that may make marital rape a crime, a fiercely debated subject with roots in colonial law.
The Rise and Fall of Confucius Institutes in the US
By Bonnie Girard
Will the controversial Chinese government-funded programs rise again under another name?
Unforgettable Episodes From a 21-Day Covert Assignment in Myanmar
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
Crossing a military camp, smoking a ‘COVID-19 cigarette’ and narrowly escaping being mowed down by a truck: The Diplomat’s Rajeev Bhattacharyya shares his experiences.
World Music and Good Sports in Southeast Asia
By Luke Hunt
Luke Hunt talks with Chris and Anya Minko about volleyball, wars, and Bachelors from Prague
UN Expert Calls For Regional Action on Rohingya Boat Arrivals
By Sebastian Strangio
Over the past 10 days, more than 1,000 Rohingya civilians have landed in western Indonesia after perilous ocean journeys from Bangladesh.
Thai Cabinet Approves Draft Law on Marriage Equality
By Sebastian Strangio
If the law is passed by Parliament next month, Thailand will become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
Indonesia’s Refugees Are Just in Transit. What Happens If the Boats Keep Coming?
By Aisyah Llewellyn
The past week has seen a new wave of Rohingya arrivals from the refugee camps of southeastern Bangladesh.
Vietnamese TikToker Faces Cambodia Entry Ban Over Angkor Video
By Sebastian Strangio
While minor, the incident showed how disputes over Southeast Asian culture and cuisine are often infused with nationalistic meaning.
Hundreds of Rohingya Refugees Disembark in Indonesia’s Aceh Region
By Sebastian Strangio
Five boats carrying nearly 900 people have reached western Indonesia over the past week, UNHCR officials say.