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Features
What Happens After China Invades Taiwan?
By
Wang Mouzhou
for
The Diplomat
March 24, 2017
Even a tactically “successful” invasion of the island might lead to strategic defeat for the PRC and the Communist Party.
A Temple Under Siege: Wat Phra Dhammakaya
By
George Styllis and Patthiya Tongfueng
for
The Diplomat
March 23, 2017
The fate of a notorious Thai cult hangs in the balance.
Myanmar's Amazing Modernization
By
Olaf Schuelke
for
The Diplomat
March 22, 2017
Myanmar's rapid transformation, as seen in the commercial capital of Yangon.
Saving Vietnam's Floating Markets
By
Nguyen Minh Quang and Dao Ngoc Canh
for
The Diplomat
March 21, 2017
Long a staple of Mekong Delta culture, Vietnam's floating markets must now adapt or fade away.
Can Malaysia's Opposition Win?
By
Nithin Coca
for
The Diplomat
March 20, 2017
Despite the massive 1MDB scandal, Malaysia's ruling party might be in an even better position than in 2013.
China's Urbancide in Tibet
By
Rinzin Dorjee
for
The Diplomat
March 17, 2017
China's urbanization policies have a particularly telling impact on Tibet.
Security
What Happens After China Invades Taiwan?
Politics
A Temple Under Siege: Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Society
Myanmar's Amazing Modernization
Society
Saving Vietnam's Floating Markets
Politics
Can Malaysia's Opposition Win?
Politics
China's Urbancide in Tibet
Popular Stories
March 24, 2017
China Is Building a 100,000 Strong Marine Corps
The People’s Liberation Army allegedly plans to increase the size of its amphibious assault troops by 400 percent.
Read Story
March 22, 2017
Israel and China a 'Marriage Made in Heaven,' Says Netanyahu
Though security cooperation remains limited, the two sides are pushing forward on trade and technology.
Read Story
March 20, 2017
Why Would Pakistan Send Combat Troops to Saudi Arabia Now?
Pakistan's consideration of a combat troop deployment to Saudi Arabia would cross an important line.
Read Story
China Power
A New World Order
March 25, 2017
Why Do Chinese Netizens Love Donald Trump?
What's behind “Emperor Trump's” popularity: authoritarianism, conservatism, or pragmatism?
Read Post
A First: Chinese Honor Guard Marches in Pakistan Republic Day Parade
Hong Kong’s Democrats and the Chief Executive Election: Selecting a Lesser Evil?
Israel and China a 'Marriage Made in Heaven,' Says Netanyahu
Does Ma Ying-jeou Know Why He Is Unpopular in Taiwan?
How China Lost the United States
More Posts
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
March 24, 2017
Japan, ROK, US Combat Aircraft Hold Military Drill
A U.S. Air Force bomber conducted training missions with Japanese and South Korean fighter jets this week.
Read Post
What's the Big Deal About These US-South Korea Military Exercises?
What a 1925 Novel Can Teach Us About a Possible US-China War
Will a New Washington Naval Treaty Stop the South China Sea Arms Race?
China Expands Its Spying Against Taiwan
Vietnam Seeks South Korean Backing in the South China Sea
More Posts
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
March 25, 2017
South Korea Delivers Military Vehicles to Cambodia
Third round of military aid set to be followed by a fourth in July.
Read Post
India Considers Stepping up Military Assistance to Afghanistan
China Is Building a 100,000 Strong Marine Corps
The Navy Will Struggle to Build Trump’s 350-Ship Fleet
Afghan Air Force Receives 4 Light Attack Aircraft
Singapore Military Moves Closer to New Armored Fighting Vehicle
More Posts
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
March 25, 2017
Philippine Warship Patrols Begin at Benham Rise After China Incident
Manila is stepping up efforts to safeguard its claim.
Read Post
After Presidential Elections, What Next for Timor-Leste?
Philippines’ Duterte Ends ASEAN Tour with Thailand Visit
Should Cambodia Forget Forgiveness in its US Debt Controversy?
What’s Next For Malaysia’s China Warships Deal?
What Did the Philippines’ Duterte Achieve During His Myanmar Trip?
More Posts
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
March 25, 2017
The Lessons of Irom Sharmila's Defeat in Manipur
Sharmila’s defeat in Manipur signals that fame cannot overcome the political machine.
Read Post
5 Take-Aways From Pakistan's Economic Cooperation Organization Summit
Pakistan Gets Closer to One of Russia's Muslim Republics
Growing Trends of Female Jihadism in Bangladesh
How India’s Demonetization Experiment Is Defying the Odds
M.A. Sumanthiran on Sri Lankan Politics, Tamil Affairs, and Indo-Lankan Ties
More Posts
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
March 24, 2017
North Korea Might Be Getting Ready for Its Next Nuke Test
U.S. and South Korean officials are bracing for Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test.
Read Post
China's Tourist Boycott Backfires on South Korea's Jeju Island
What Tillerson's Asia Trip Means for North Korea
Park Geun-hye's Impeachment, Through the Eyes of a Korean Millennial
South Korea in Myanmar: Missing the Train to Naypyitaw?
The Future of South Korean Democracy
More Posts
Tokyo Report
News from Japan
March 18, 2017
Exploring the Possibility of Defense Relations Between Iran and Japan
Military cooperation might seem like a faraway dream, but there are good reasons for both sides to explore options.
Read Post
Japan Self-Defense Force Withdraws From South Sudan
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
More Posts
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
March 24, 2017
A Glimpse Into Moscow’s Little Kyrgyzstan
Seasons of migration to the north: stories of Central Asian migrant workers in Russia.
Read Post
Bangladesh’s Risky Islamist Gambit
China’s Global Governance Challenge and Domestic Reforms
Hey, China: Deploying THAAD Is South Korea’s Sovereign Right
Where Do North Koreans Fit Into the West's North Korea Policy?
Revisiting China’s Proposal For Parallel Talks With North Korea
More Posts
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
March 25, 2017
Discussing Dictators and Nuclear Fallout in Central Asia
A detailed look at the Afghan border, a discussion of dictators, and a secret report on Semipalatinsk; recommended reads.
Read Post
Brothers Again: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
China, Russia, Iran: Ports and Power Along the Belt and Road
Kazakhstan's Love-Hate Relationship With Social Media
Paul Manafort and the Kyrgyz Connection
The Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline Network: Line D(ead)
More Posts
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
March 21, 2017
What Donald Trump’s Budget Means for Pakistan
Cuts to the U.S. State Department will also impact the U.S.-Pakistan alliance.
Read Post
Tillerson, China and the North Korea Question
Straight From the US State Department: The 'Pivot' to Asia Is Over
Regional Security Stakes In Southeast Asia
The Power of Ports: China’s Maritime March
3 Areas of Opportunity for the US-India Relationship
More Posts
Pacific Money
Economy and Business
March 21, 2017
What China’s PPP-Fueled Investment Boom Means for the Economy
Public-private partnership infrastructure spending will boost China’s economy but increase local government debt.
Read Post
Asia To Fed: Your Move First
Spanning the Economic Gap Between Asia and Latin America
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
More Posts
Asia Life
The Other Asia-Pacific
March 24, 2017
Asia and the World Baseball Classic
WBC increases the popularity of baseball in Asia and helps ensure a base of fans and players for the future.
Read Post
Asia’s Olympic Moment Has Its Roots in Cold War Politics
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
More Posts
Oceania
The South Pacific
March 17, 2017
In New Zealand, a River Becomes a 'Person'
New Zealand has granted a river considered sacred by the Maori people the same legal rights as a human being.
Read Post
If the US Loses Interest in Asia, What Are Australia's Options?
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
More Posts
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
March 24, 2017
Why North Korea May Define US-China Relations in the Trump Era
So far, U.S.-China ties haven't seen a drastic deterioration. What does the future hold for U.S.-China ties?
Listen
What Is Japan's Regional Threat Environment and Defense Strategy?
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?
More Podcasts
Videos
Asia on Video
March 17, 2017
What’s It Like to Be a Woman in Bollywood?
Shreya Narayan shares her experience as a Bollywood actress and what she see would like to see change.
View Video
A Conversation With Mongolia's Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil
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’
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 18, 2017
Taiwan's 'Little Burma'
Huaxin Street in Taipei is home to many of Taiwan's 40,000 Burmese immigrants.
Read Story
March 17, 2017
What’s It Like to Be a Woman in Bollywood?
Shreya Narayan shares her experience as a Bollywood actress and what she see would like to see change.
Read Story
March 09, 2017
China's Most Important South China Sea Military Base
The Yulin Naval Base is shaping up to be the most strategically important military base in the South China Sea.
Read Story
March 15, 2017
Indonesia and the Islamic State Threat
How big a danger do returning fighters pose to Indonesia?
Read Story
March 15, 2017
Bringing Color to the Widows of Vrindavan
Breaking tradition, the widows of Vrindavan get lost in the wonderful colors of Holi.
Read Story
March 14, 2017
Cambodia, Catholicism, and Cauliflower
The ups and downs of life in an ethnically Vietnamese community in Cambodia.
Read Story
March 13, 2017
Is the North Korea Crisis a Gift for Malaysia’s Najib?
Despite the scandals, Malaysian prime minister has the moral high ground.
Read Story
March 08, 2017
Central Asia and Islamic State: The Russian Connection
Impoverished and oppressed, Central Asian migrants to Russia make perfect targets for extremist recruiters.
Read Story
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
More Features
Interview
March 17, 2017
Sebastian Rosato on the US-China 'Collision Course'
Why the Notre Dame professor believes the U.S. and China cannot avoid security competition.
Read Interview
More Interviews
The Diplomat's Quiz
March 21, 2017
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