Latest Stories
Beijing Targets UK-based Hong Kong Activists as Families Face Pressure at Home
Hong Kong authorities seek to silence exiled dissidents by pursuing arrest abroad and intimidating their families at home.
The Sea People of Southeast Asia: Forgotten Guardians of Maritime Security
The Sea People are not relics of the past, nor are they obstacles to development.
Cutting Aid to Afghanistan Is Collective Punishment. America Must Do Better.
The crisis unfolding in Afghanistan today is not just a repetition of history. It is an amplified version, with even fewer lifelines for an even larger group of suffering Afghans.
Debunking the Myth of Foreign Meddling in Bangladesh’s Monsoon Revolution
Unpacking the sensational – and implausible – accusations made by a former U.S. State Department official.
Geonomics, Not Geopolitics is Driving Pakistan’s Courting of Bangladesh
It is part of Islamabad’s effort to enhance and diversify economic relations in its immediate neighborhood, focusing on trade and connectivity.
Indifferent to Alarming Surge in Hate Speech, India Outrages Over Comic’s Crass Comment on YouTube Show
There was a 74 percent increase in hate speech in 2024. But neither the government nor the public seems alarmed.
Most Read
What’s Driving China’s Controversial Mega-Dam in Tibet?
While the proposed hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River has sparked concerns in India, from China’s perspective it is mostly motivated by domestic factors.
North Korea Is Sending a Second Wave of Soldiers to Ukraine. Here’s Why.
Pyongyang would seem to have little reason to send its own people to risk their lives in the Russia-Ukraine War. But these soldiers appear to be at the heart of the North Korea-Russia security partnership.
Philippines on Cusp of Major Defense Pacts with New Zealand, Canada
The planned visiting forces agreements reflect Manila's efforts to broaden and deepen its defense partnerships in the face of growing Chinese pressure.
Magazine
The New Red Scare: When Fear Becomes a Political Weapon
More than seven decades later, the legacies of the Red Scare have resurfaced in the United States – this time targeting China.
North Korea in Ukraine: What It Means for the World
It is time to examine not only the effects and effectiveness of North Korean troops in combat, but the wider implications for international security and conflict management.
Making Sense of Bangladesh’s Monsoon Uprising
Six months ago, Asia’s Iron Lady, Sheikh Hasina, fell dramatically from power. What happened?
Gi-Wook Shin on South Korea’s Political Maelstrom
The martial law episode – and all that followed – “reflects a broader global pattern of democratic erosion but also showcases Korea’s unique strengths.”
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
How the US Aid Freeze Harms Taiwan’s Geopolitical Interests
From the direct (military assistance) to the indirect (waning U.S. influence), the freeze could have dire implications for Taiwan’s foreign policy interests.
Beijing Targets UK-based Hong Kong Activists as Families Face Pressure at Home
The Discourse on Taiwan Needs a Vibeshift
‘Ne Zha 2’: China’s Latest Tech Success
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
The Sea People of Southeast Asia: Forgotten Guardians of Maritime Security
The Sea People are not relics of the past, nor are they obstacles to development.
Trump’s Ukraine Peace Gambit: Consequences for Taiwan’s Security
Does Anyone Care About the Climate Crisis in Tibet?
Will Kim Jong Un Meet Trump Again?
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
Indian Defense Production: Relying on Self-reliance
Just 1.91 percent of GDP was allocated for defense in the recent annual budget. Can India afford to buy the expensive weapons on display at Aero India 2025?
Philippines Seeks to Fulfill Submarine ‘Dream’ as Part of Modernization Plan
North Korea Is Sending a Second Wave of Soldiers to Ukraine. Here’s Why.
Indonesia’s Interest in India’s BrahMos: More Than Just a Missile Deal
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Malaysia Will Amend Law on Public Protests, Prime Minister Says
Anwar Ibrahim also said that ongoing investigations against protest organizers would be dropped and that “no further action will be taken.”
Thai Army Repatriates Around 260 Scam Victims From Eastern Myanmar
As the World Celebrates Valentine’s Day, Has Indonesia Lost Its Loving Feeling?
Vietnam’s ‘Era of National Rise’ and the Risk of Imperial Overreach: Lessons from 1975
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Debunking the Myth of Foreign Meddling in Bangladesh’s Monsoon Revolution
Unpacking the sensational – and implausible – accusations made by a former U.S. State Department official.
Geonomics, Not Geopolitics is Driving Pakistan’s Courting of Bangladesh
Indifferent to Alarming Surge in Hate Speech, India Outrages Over Comic’s Crass Comment on YouTube Show
India and the New Trumpian World Order
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
Who Are the Potential Candidates to be South Korea’s Next President?
Should the Constitutional Court uphold the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol, who will run for the presidential election?
Angry Young Men Amid South Korea’s Impeachment Turmoil
Trump’s Opportunities and Challenges in Dealing With the Likely Next President of South Korea
What Will South Korea’s Post-Yoon Foreign Policy Look Like?
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Caught in the Shockwave: Japan-US Relations Under Trump
Despite the good feelings following the first Ishiba-Trump summit, there are major challenges ahead.
Japan’s Pragmatic Model for AI Governance
The Strange Stability of the Japan-US Relationship
How the Real Murders Behind the Hit Novel ‘Butter’ Exposed Japanese Media Misogyny
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
Cutting Aid to Afghanistan Is Collective Punishment. America Must Do Better.
The crisis unfolding in Afghanistan today is not just a repetition of history. It is an amplified version, with even fewer lifelines for an even larger group of suffering Afghans.
10 Hard Questions for Dr. Yunus and the Young Revolutionaries in Bangladesh
What the Trump Administration Can Learn From Aid Reorganizations in Australia, NZ, and Canada
China’s London ‘Super Embassy’ Would Be a Super Surveillance Hub
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Uzbekistan’s Corruption Crackdown: Progress or Perpetual Crisis?
Despite a surge in anti-corruption efforts, systemic fraud and bribery remain deeply embedded in Uzbekistan’s governance. With thousands of officials facing charges yet minimal consequences, is real change on the horizon?
Turkmenistan Settles Gas Swap Deal With Turkiye, Iran
How the Curtailing of US Aid Impacts Mongolia’s Development
Can Kazakhstan Succeed in Its Transition Toward Clean Energy?
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
Thai PM Calls For Study Into Effects of Trump Trade Policy
Among ASEAN nations, Thailand and Vietnam have the two largest trade deficits with the United States. Both are readying for possible retaliatory actions.
The Imperial Presidency and the China-US Trade War
Narrowing the Trade Deficit Will Top Modi-Trump Meeting Agenda
Could China Fill the US Aid Vacuum in Afghanistan?
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
Indonesia Is on the Verge of Natural Gas Dilemma
Having accorded natural gas an important place in its energy transition, Jakarta faces a growing imbalance between rising consumption and falling domestic production.
The Financial Scandal at Indonesian Tech Unicorn eFishery, Explained
Apple Considering iPhone Manufacturing Facilities in Indonesia: Report
What Does the DeepSeek Disruption Mean for Southeast Asia?
Oceania
The South Pacific
New Zealand’s Kiribati Aid Review Further Opens Door for Chinese Influence
Washington should take note.
Government-Coalition Deal Secures Sweeping New Regime for Political Donations and Spending
With the US in Retreat, a Chance for Australia to Lead
Trump’s Illegal Gaza Occupation Plan Puts Australia in a Bind
Videos
Asia on Video
What’s Driving Taiwan’s Mass Protests?
Chiang Min-yen, a non-resident fellow at the Taiwan Economic Democracy Union, joins The Diplomat to discuss the concerns over the bill, the China factor, and what comes next.
What’s Behind Vietnam’s Political Upheaval?
The Danger of China’s Digital Silk Road
What Will China’s Shift From Oil Mean for Saudi Arabia and Russia?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
Trump 2.0 in America: Geopolitical Ripples Across Asia and the World
The second Trump term is nothing like the first. The implications for Asia are massive.
The Biden Administration’s Asia Legacy
South Korea’s Martial Law Crisis: Geopolitical Implications and Beyond
Central Asian Militaries and Asian Geopolitics
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
In Photos: Rohingya Refugees’ Trial by Fire
Deadly fires in the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar have become a terrifyingly regular occurrence.