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Features
China's Most Important South China Sea Military Base
By
Damen Cook
for
The Diplomat
March 09, 2017
The Yulin Naval Base is shaping up to be the most strategically important military base in the South China Sea.
Indonesia and the Islamic State Threat
By
Arsla Jawaid
for
The Diplomat
March 15, 2017
How big a danger do returning fighters pose to Indonesia?
Bringing Color to the Widows of Vrindavan
By
Tehreem Fatima
for
The Diplomat
March 15, 2017
Breaking tradition, the widows of Vrindavan get lost in the wonderful colors of Holi.
Cambodia, Catholicism, and Cauliflower
By
Peter Ford
for
The Diplomat
March 14, 2017
The ups and downs of life in an ethnically Vietnamese community in Cambodia.
Is the North Korea Crisis a Gift for Malaysia’s Najib?
By
Luke Hunt
for
The Diplomat
March 13, 2017
Despite the scandals, Malaysian prime minister has the moral high ground.
Central Asia and Islamic State: The Russian Connection
By
Iris Oppelaar
for
The Diplomat
March 08, 2017
Impoverished and oppressed, Central Asian migrants to Russia make perfect targets for extremist recruiters.
Security
China's Most Important South China Sea Military Base
Security
Indonesia and the Islamic State Threat
Society
Bringing Color to the Widows of Vrindavan
Society
Cambodia, Catholicism, and Cauliflower
Politics
Is the North Korea Crisis a Gift for Malaysia’s Najib?
Society
Central Asia and Islamic State: The Russian Connection
Popular Stories
March 11, 2017
The Trouble With India's New Citizenship Bill
The bill, if passed, would help turn India into a 'Hindu homeland.'
Read Story
March 10, 2017
Pakistan's War on Atheism
Pakistan's anti-blasphemy crackdown is tightening the noose around nonbelievers.
Read Story
March 09, 2017
How Did China Lose South Korea?
How did China-South Korea relations fall so far so fast?
Read Story
China Power
A New World Order
March 17, 2017
What Should China and the US Do About North Korea?
U.S. and Chinese experts weigh in.
Read Post
US, South Korea Try to Reassure China on THAAD
Should the US Support China's Security Role in Afghanistan?
Hong Kong's Chief Executive CY Leung Elevated to Mainland Post
How Did Myanmar’s Reforms Change Its Relations With China?
China Vs. Taiwan's Academic Freedom
More Posts
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
March 16, 2017
South China Sea: China Continues Construction Work on North Island in Paracel Group
Satellite imagery shows additional Chinese work on its island possessions in the Paracel group.
Read Post
US, Japan, ROK Hold Joint Missile Drill
How Serious Is the Islamic State Threat to China?
Tillerson Goes to Asia: What's on the Agenda
China's Navy Will 'Intercept' and 'Follow' Military Vessels and Aircraft
THAAD and the Future of Strategic Stability in East Asia
More Posts
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
March 16, 2017
Japan Commissions New Attack Submarine
The new super quiet diesel electric attack submarine was handed over to the Japanese navy this week.
Read Post
India Test Fires Supersonic Cruise Missile
Russia’s Air Force to Receive 17 New Su-30 Fighter Jets in 2017
Indonesia, Denmark Mull Deeper Defense Ties
China’s First Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet Enters Service With the PLAAF
The PLA’s Potential Breakthrough in High-Power Microwave Weapons
More Posts
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
March 17, 2017
What’s Next for Philippine Military Modernization Under Duterte?
A closer look at what we might expect.
Read Post
Reintegrating Extremist Prisoners in Indonesia: Easier Said Than Done
Myanmar's Rohingya Crackdown 'Crimes Against Humanity': Top UN Official
Malaysia, Australia Talk Terror Amid Rising Islamic State Threat
Trilateral Sulu Sea Patrols Set to Kick Off
What’s Behind the New China-Philippines Coast Guard Exercise?
More Posts
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
March 16, 2017
Anatomy of India's Early 2017 State Assembly Elections
With the ballots counted, here's how India's latest state-level elections shook out.
Read Post
Nawaz Sharif’s Historic Holi Address
Lessons From India’s Election for the Evolution of the Indian Political System
Kashmir's Reckoning With the Implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
India's State Election Results Seal in the Country's Modi-fication
'Pashtun Diplomacy' in Afghan Foreign Policy
More Posts
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
March 15, 2017
South Korea in Myanmar: Missing the Train to Naypyitaw?
South Korea is not living up to its potential to play a strategic (not just economic) role in Myanmar.
Read Post
The Future of South Korean Democracy
South Korean Constitutional Court Unanimously Upholds Park Geun-hye Impeachment
Why Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong Might Have Bribed Choi Soon-sil
South Korea Needs a New North Korea Strategy
North Korea's Latest Missile Launch: More Progress on Display
More Posts
Tokyo Report
News from Japan
March 13, 2017
Japan Self-Defense Force Withdraws From South Sudan
The decision highlights the domestic constraints on Japan's defense activities abroad.
Read Post
Far East Affairs: Mongolia and Japan
Abe’s Trump Challenge and Japan's Foreign Policy Choices
Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, Iwo Jima: The Pacific War and US-Japan Reconciliation
Why Japan Can't Criticize Trump's Refugee Ban
Japan and India: Deepening Ties in the Age of Uncertainty
More Posts
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
March 16, 2017
Revisiting China’s Proposal For Parallel Talks With North Korea
Exhausting diplomatic options provides greater leverage and legitimacy to take tougher measures in the future.
Read Post
Can Pakistan’s Health Star Turn the WHO Around?
How Does North Korea Survive?
Why and How Tillerson Should Address Human Rights on China Visit
Indonesia's Choice: Not the Indian Ocean, But Bilateralism
The Road to Peace Goes Through Kabul
More Posts
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
March 16, 2017
Uzbekistan Puts a Smile on an Economic Blow to Turkmenistan
Mirziyoyev paid his first visit to Turkmenistan while their main joint project – a pipeline to China – was being killed.
Read Post
Return to Tashkent: EBRD President in Uzbekistan to Discuss Revamping Cooperation
Kyrgyz President Takes on Media in Lawsuits
Iran Nuclear Deal Dilemmas Fueling Elections Standoff
In 2017, What Does CENTCOM Care About in Central Asia?
All Quiet on the Turkmen Front?
More Posts
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
March 14, 2017
Straight From the US State Department: The 'Pivot' to Asia Is Over
Don't hold your breath for the language of the 'pivot' or 'rebalance' to make a return anytime soon.
Read Post
Regional Security Stakes In Southeast Asia
The Power of Ports: China’s Maritime March
3 Areas of Opportunity for the US-India Relationship
Did Trump Get Something Out of Xi in Exchange for Affirming 'One China'?
How Trump's 'Historic' Defense Spending Proposal Could Affect Asia
More Posts
Pacific Money
Economy and Business
March 16, 2017
Spanning the Economic Gap Between Asia and Latin America
The TPP may be dead, but Asian and Latin American countries still have much to gain from increasing economic ties.
Read Post
Five Themes From China’s 2017 Economic Data So Far
After Impeachment Verdict, Korea’s ‘Fresh Start’ On Reform Begins Again
TPP Signatories to Meet in Chile to Explore the Future of the Agreement
China’s 'Two Sessions' and the 2017 Economic Outlook
Is Trump All Bark and No Bite on Currency Manipulation in Asia?
More Posts
Asia Life
The Other Asia-Pacific
March 16, 2017
Asia’s Olympic Moment Has Its Roots in Cold War Politics
From China to Iran, Cold War politics shaped the participation of Asian countries in the Olympic Games.
Read Post
India and Pakistan's Cricket Diplomacy
Buyer Beware: US Market for Ancient Asian Art Still the Wild, Wild East
China’s ‘Great Wall’: Conquering the World With Cinema
Cleaning up Bangladesh’s Slums
Malaysia's Path Toward Sustainable Palm Oil
More Posts
Oceania
The South Pacific
March 14, 2017
If the US Loses Interest in Asia, What Are Australia's Options?
Australia needs to work on creating a regional architecture that can withstand U.S. absence.
Read Post
A Failed Faustian Pact: Western Australia’s Liberal Party Slips in Elections
Calling All Ambassadors: Australia Ponders a New Foreign Policy Path
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Finishes 4-Day Visit to Australia
No Development Without Peace: The Solomon Islands Example
Is Papua New Guinea Outgrowing Australia’s Backyard?
More Posts
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
March 10, 2017
What Is Japan's Regional Threat Environment and Defense Strategy?
How does Japan see its threat environment and what are its defense priorities?
Listen
Ahok, the Jakarta Gubernatorial Race, and the Future of Indonesian Islam
Pukkuksong-2: Why North Korea's New Solid-Fuel Ballistic Missile Matters
What the Trump-Turnbull Call Tells Us About the Future of US Alliances in Asia
What's In Store For US-China Relations Under President Donald Trump?
South Asian Strategic Stability and Pakistan's Babur-3 Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile
More Podcasts
Videos
Asia on Video
February 27, 2017
A Conversation With Mongolia's Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil
Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsend Munkh-Orgil gives an exclusive interview to
The Diplomat
.
View Video
A Warning From Nepal’s ‘River Man’
Nepal's Child Brides
Journalist Namgay Zam Leaves Bhutan: Brain Drain in Action
Meet Nepal’s Buddhist ‘Rock Star Nun’
Indian Journalist’s Road From Addiction to Recovery
More Videos
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The Diplomat Brief
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From The Magazine
February 24, 2017
The Golden Urn: Buddhist Lamas and Chinese State Control
The historical roots and modern-day ramifications of Chinese government attempts to control Vajrayana Buddhism.
Preview Story
February 24, 2017
Governing Myanmar
The NLD government’s first year in office was difficult, and more challenges remain ahead.
Preview Story
February 24, 2017
The New ‘Normal’ in the East China Sea
China and Japan are engaged in a long-term test of wills over disputed waters and territory in the East China Sea.
Preview Story
February 24, 2017
South Korea at a Crossroads
As a president’s fate hangs in the balance, South Korea is in a state of pervasive political uncertainty.
Preview Story
More Previews
Latest Features
March 10, 2017
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the 'Good Taliban'
Pakistan believes Afghanistan is harboring terrorists that conduct cross-border attacks; Kabul says the same.
Read Story
March 09, 2017
What’s Next for Myanmar’s Rakhine State?
The government declared the clearance operation over last month – it’s not so simple.
Read Story
March 08, 2017
The Women in Afghanistan’s Moral Prisons
Sex before marriage, fleeing abuse, even being raped could land a woman in one of Afghanistan's moral prisons.
Read Story
March 08, 2017
THAAD and China's Nuclear Second-Strike Capability
China may be afraid that THAAD will degrade its own nuclear second-strike capability.
Read Story
March 07, 2017
Student Activism Rears Its Head in India
A spike in politically-motivated incidents has India asking: how much activism is too much?
Read Story
March 06, 2017
Hollywood Comes to Cambodia
Angelina Jolie and Netflix bring the story of the Khmer Rouge back to Cambodia and let Cambodians tell it.
Read Story
February 27, 2017
A Conversation With Mongolia's Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil
Mongolian Minister of Foreign Affairs Tsend Munkh-Orgil gives an exclusive interview to
The Diplomat
.
Read Story
March 01, 2017
Crisps and Coffee Shops: North Korea's New Consumerism
The influence of South Korean consumer goods reveals surprising changes in North Korean society.
Read Story
March 04, 2017
Local Elections: The Coming Test for Nepal's Constitution
Nepal holds local elections for the first time in two decades.
Read Story
More Features
Interview
March 08, 2017
Interview With Japan's Arctic Ambassador
Kazuko Shiraishi on Japan's approach to the Arctic region.
Read Interview
More Interviews
The Diplomat's Quiz
March 12, 2017
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The Diplomat’s Quiz
: March 12, 2017 Edition
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