Diplomat Risk Intelligence
Insights Today – for Tomorrow
Diplomat Risk Intelligence offers you dedicated access to an exclusive network of subject matter experts on geopolitical, security, economic, and political trends covering the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Research Notes
Published by Diplomat Risk Intelligence, Research Notes
offer actionable insight to strategic decision-makers seeking to understand political risk and economic
trends in Asia.
Magazine
M
February 01, 2023
Do Pakistan-Russia Ties Have a Future?
By Salman Rafi Sheikh
There are strategic, economic, and geopolitical reasons for Islamabad to prefer ties with Washington over Moscow.

February 01, 2023
The Ebb and Flow of Protest in Thailand
By James Buchanan
With street politics halted and parliamentary politics effectively on hold until the election, Thailand feels in limbo.

February 01, 2023
Islamic State Khorasan: Global Jihad in a Multipolar World
By Lucas Webber
The Islamic State sees great opportunity in the churn of great power competition, with ISKP at the forefront of its vision of international jihad.

February 01, 2023
Beyond the Putin-Xi Relationship: China, Russia, and Great Power Politics
By Alexander Korolev
While the Putin-Xi friendship is important, it mostly oils the wheels of a relationship driven by longer-term structural trends.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
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February 07, 2023
China Admits There’s a 2nd Chinese Balloon Over Latin America
By Shannon Tiezzi
Like the balloon spotted over the United States, the Pentagon claimed the object was used for surveillance; Beijing says it was blown off course while conducting civilian research.
February 06, 2023
What If China Isn’t Really That Unique?
February 04, 2023
Hong Kong’s Democratic Primary Trials Show a Dark Truth
February 04, 2023
Amid Reports of Blinken Visit, China Remained Ambivalent
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
February 07, 2023
The Chinese Spy Balloon Incident: An Urgent Need for Communication
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
There is an urgent need for standard operating procedures and open communication, especially when it comes to technology and space.
February 06, 2023
What Does International Law Say About China’s Spy Balloon and the US Response?
February 04, 2023
Singapore Strives to Protect Consumer Data
February 03, 2023
Spy Balloon Incident Roils China-US Relations Ahead of Blinken Trip
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
February 05, 2023
Japan’s New Defense Direction and Its Indo-Pacific Policy
By ISHIHARA Yusuke
Each has implications for the other.
February 03, 2023
What’s Behind Proposed Changes to US Marine Deployments in Okinawa?
February 02, 2023
The Problem With European Militaries’ Indo-Pacific Push
February 02, 2023
NATO Chief Wants More Indo-Pacific ‘Friends’ as Russia, China Move Closer
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
February 03, 2023
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet Under Shadow of Myanmar Crisis
By Niniek Karmini
Indonesia is setting up an office of an ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar in Jakarta to spearhead how the bloc deals with the crisis.
February 03, 2023
Thai Activists Push Opposition Party on Royal Defamation Law
February 03, 2023
Malaysian Anti-Graft Authorities Freeze Opposition Party Accounts
February 03, 2023
The Long Political Afterlife of Megawati Sukarnoputri
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
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February 06, 2023
Pakistan Blocks Wikipedia, Says It Hurt Muslim Sentiments
By Munir Ahmed
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority says it blocked Wikipedia because a 48-hour deadline to remove content it said was blasphemous was ignored.
February 06, 2023
Sri Lankan President Pledges Full Implementation of 13th Amendment
February 06, 2023
Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s Military Ruler in 9/11 Wars, Dies
February 04, 2023
Indian Couples Begin Legal Battle for Same-Sex Marraige
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
February 03, 2023
North Korean Defectors in China Can’t Get COVID-19 Vaccines, Treatments
By Lee Chae Un
As China’s COVID-19 case counts soar, “North Korean defectors in China can’t receive treatment even if they are infected,” one source said.
February 01, 2023
Opposition Leader Lee Jae-myung at the Center of Criminal Probes
February 01, 2023
Russian Embassy Says North Korea Lifted Lockdown in Pyongyang
January 28, 2023
The Korean Wave’s Rocky Road in China
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
February 07, 2023
Japan, China Hold Foreign Minister Call Days After NATO Chief’s Visit
By Mina Pollmann
Tokyo continues to try to keep relations with Beijing stable even as it deepens military cooperation with NATO and other partners.
February 01, 2023
Will Suga Yoshihide Make a Comeback?
January 28, 2023
Japan’s Population Crisis Nears Point of No Return
January 21, 2023
Doubling the Defense Budget Won’t be Easy for Japan
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
February 03, 2023
Hindu Nationalism on Display in India’s G20 Presidency
By Ritumbra Manuvie and Alena Kahle
The G-20 must avoid giving legitimacy to an exclusionary nation-branding project in which minorities are banished to the sidelines.
February 02, 2023
The United States Risks Being Complicit in the Myanmar Junta’s Atrocities
February 01, 2023
Two Years On, Women Remain at the Forefront of Myanmar’s Resistance Movement
January 31, 2023
Myanmar: Last Chance Before the Final Curtain Drops
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
February 07, 2023
Kyrgyzstan’s Media Under Pressure
By Catherine Putz
From well-known independent outlets to bloggers, Kyrgyzstan’s vibrant media space is increasingly under pressure.
February 02, 2023
Cold Snap and Electricity Shortages Slam Central Asia, Afghanistan
February 02, 2023
A Gender Perspective on HIV Prevalence in Uzbekistan
February 01, 2023
Is the Aral Sea a Lost Cause?
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
February 04, 2023
iCET: Strengthening the India-US Tech Agenda
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
The U.S.-India strategic relationship looks to be set on firm footing, with both sides keen to materialize deeper collaboration across defense and critical and emerging technologies.
February 03, 2023
Europe’s Misgivings About Sanctions Don’t Bode Well for US Export Controls
February 01, 2023
US Burma Act Uplifts the Resistance Movement in Myanmar
January 31, 2023
Source: Dutch, Japanese Join US Limits on Chip Tech to China
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
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February 02, 2023
Sun Cable’s Collapse and the Australian Role in Southeast Asia’s Energy Transition
By Nicholas Basan
Rather than focusing on exporting renewable energy to the region, Australian firms should invest directly in Southeast Asia's green transition.
February 02, 2023
Western Investors Are Losing the Ability to Shape the Future of Cambodian Microfinance
February 01, 2023
Indonesian Steel Exports Have Plummeted Due to EU Tariffs, Official Says
February 01, 2023
Can Indonesia Achieve Its Electric Vehicle Ambitions?
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
February 07, 2023
China-Australia Trade Ministers Hold 1st Meeting Since 2019
By Rod McGuirk
Australia's new government is urging China to lift official and unofficial barriers on Australian exports.
February 02, 2023
History’s Shadow Looms Over Fiji
January 31, 2023
Australia’s Nauru Conundrum
January 27, 2023
Australia Day, Invasion Day: Evolving the Idea of Australia
Videos
Asia on Video
VPodcasts
Asia Geopolitics
P
January 27, 2023
The Drivers and Consequences of Vietnam’s January 2023 Political Shake-Up
By Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz
Will Vietnam's political tumult have any geopolitical ramifications?
January 09, 2023
Locking Horns With the Khmer Rouge
January 06, 2023
A New Defense Era: Japan’s 2022 National Security Strategy
December 28, 2022
Asian Geopolitics in 2022: A Retrospective
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
E
January 31, 2023
Kashmir Welcomes Rahul Gandhi and His Bharat Jodo Yatra
By Numan Bhat and Mehroob Mushtaq
The politician's Unite India March ended on January 30 in Srinagar, where he was welcomed by local politicians.