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Features
Nepal's India-China Balancing Act Put to the Test
By
Kamal Dev Bhattarai
for
The Diplomat
March 28, 2017
Prachanda's recent outreach to China is his latest attempt to balance ties with both Nepal's neighbors.
The Taliban's New Plan for Capturing Kunduz
By
Franz J. Marty
for
The Diplomat
March 28, 2017
The Taliban seem determined to upgrade their strategy from 2016, posing a continued threat to provincial capitals.
Will Central Asia Water Wars Derail China's Silk Road?
By
Nishtha Chugh
for
The Diplomat
March 24, 2017
China needs to be wary of a looming water crisis in Central Asia.
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.
Diplomacy
Nepal's India-China Balancing Act Put to the Test
Security
The Taliban's New Plan for Capturing Kunduz
Environment
Will Central Asia Water Wars Derail China's Silk Road?
Security
What Happens After China Invades Taiwan?
Politics
A Temple Under Siege: Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Society
Myanmar's Amazing Modernization
Popular Stories
March 25, 2017
Pakistan’s (Non-Nuclear) Plan to Counter ‘Cold Start’
Tactical nuclear weapons get most of the attention, but Islamabad is also building up conventional capabilities.
Read Story
March 25, 2017
Will India, Russia Co-Develop a New 5th Stealth Fighter?
India and Russia have failed to resolve their differences so far and the joint project appears to be going nowhere.
Read Story
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
China Power
A New World Order
March 28, 2017
China's Premier Li Tours Australia, New Zealand
Economics topped the agenda, as usual for China-Australia and China-New Zealand ties.
Read Post
Chinese Vice FM Proposes New Regional Mechanism for South China Sea States
China’s North Korea Debate
Why Do Chinese Netizens Love Donald Trump?
A First: Chinese Honor Guard Marches in Pakistan Republic Day Parade
Hong Kong’s Democrats and the Chief Executive Election: Selecting a Lesser Evil?
More Posts
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
March 28, 2017
Nuclear South Asia and Coming to Terms With 'No First-Use' With Indian Characteristics
Let's make one thing clear: India can explore a pre-emptive first strike without changing its 2003 nuclear doctrine.
Read Post
Deterring Pyongyang: US, South Korea Conclude Military Exercise
US Bomber Receives Chinese Warning Over East China Sea Skies
Pakistan’s (Non-Nuclear) Plan to Counter ‘Cold Start’
Japan, ROK, US Combat Aircraft Hold Military Drill
What's the Big Deal About These US-South Korea Military Exercises?
More Posts
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
March 29, 2017
China Holds Military Drills Near Unstable Myanmar Border
Exercises come amid a new round of instability.
Read Post
Is Russia Building a Nuclear-Powered Supercarrier?
Japan and UK to Collaborate on Advanced Stealth Fighter Jet
Russia’s Deadliest Nuke Program Faces Delays
Springtime Is Counterterrorism Training Time in Tajikistan
India-Russia Aircraft Deal Terminated
More Posts
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
March 29, 2017
Finding Common Ground Between US, Japan, and China in Southeast Asia
Though the competition between the three actors is likely to remain, they can also move forward with collaboration in four specific areas.
Read Post
What Did France’s Hollande Achieve During His Malaysia Visit?
Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore Bloomed in the Shadow of the Cold War
Duterte’s Drug War is Distracting From His Social Reform Agenda
A New Islamic State Base in the Philippines?
France’s Hollande Kicks off ASEAN Tour With Singapore Visit
More Posts
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
March 29, 2017
India Gets Serious About Maternity Benefits, But It Must Go Further
A new bill in India is a step in the right direction, but more remains to be done.
Read Post
The State of Indian Federalism After the BJP's Election Victories
Zia-ul-Haq and the ‘Islamization’ of Pakistan’s Public Universities
Mattis Hosts Indian National Security Adviser in Washington
The Lessons of Irom Sharmila's Defeat in Manipur
5 Take-Aways From Pakistan's Economic Cooperation Organization Summit
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 29, 2017
Trump Must Boost Taiwan Arms Sales Now
It is essential that the administration gets off to a strong start less the Taiwan Strait flashpoint boil over.
Read Post
Who Is Responsible for the Gilgit-Baltistan Dispute?
How Israel Can Help Stem Over-Fishing in the South China Sea
A Glimpse Into Moscow’s Little Kyrgyzstan
Bangladesh’s Risky Islamist Gambit
China’s Global Governance Challenge and Domestic Reforms
More Posts
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
March 29, 2017
Dealing With Central Asia's Poisonous Nuclear Legacy
Soviet-era uranium mining and waste facilities spread across Central Asia remain a serious public and environmental risk.
Read Post
Kyrgyz President Wants to Talk to Trump About RFE/RL
Good News for Central Asia in UN Human Development Index
Politician's Arrest Sparks Weekend Protests in Kyrgyzstan
Discussing Dictators and Nuclear Fallout in Central Asia
Brothers Again: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
More Posts
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
March 24, 2017
The Future of US-China Trade Relations
Insights from Ambassador Carla A. Hills.
Read Post
What Donald Trump’s Budget Means for Pakistan
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
More Posts
Pacific Money
Economy and Business
March 27, 2017
Asia’s Pricey Cities
Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo are among the world's most expensive cities to live in, according to a recent report.
Read Post
What China’s PPP-Fueled Investment Boom Means for the Economy
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
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 28, 2017
Indo-Fijians and Fiji’s Coup Culture
A former prime minister urged Fiji to better acknowledge its past, especially the 40 years indentured Indian labor.
Read Post
In New Zealand, a River Becomes a 'Person'
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
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 21, 2017
Saving Vietnam's Floating Markets
Long a staple of Mekong Delta culture, Vietnam's floating markets must now adapt or fade away.
Read Story
March 20, 2017
Can Malaysia's Opposition Win?
Despite the massive 1MDB scandal, Malaysia's ruling party might be in an even better position than in 2013.
Read Story
March 17, 2017
China's Urbancide in Tibet
China's urbanization policies have a particularly telling impact on Tibet.
Read Story
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
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 27, 2017
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: March 26, 2017 Edition
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