Latest Stories
How Indonesia’s Revised Military Law Could Impact Regional Security Dynamics
The legal changes are a sign of Jakarta's increasing concern about the potential for conflict in the region, especially over Taiwan.
Beyond the Barracks: Indonesia’s Military Edges Back Into Civilian Affairs
Recent revisions to the country's 2004 National Armed Forces Law have broken down the firewall between the military and civilian spheres.
China’s Xi to Visit Three Southeast Asian Nations This Month, Report Claims
The Chinese leader will visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia at a time of great uncertainty about the course of U.S. policy toward the region.
In Earthquake’s Aftermath, Major Myanmar Rebel Alliance Announces ‘Humanitarian Pause’
Could the devastation of the March 28 quake help catalyze a political solution to the country’s civil war?
Kygyz, Tajik, Uzbek Presidents Hold Groundbreaking Trilateral Summit
A first-of-its-kind Central Asian summit boosts regional connectivity and authoritarian domestic agendas.
Japan Enacts FY 2025 Budget After Rare Revisions
Rice prices and inflation are putting pressure on Ishiba’s minority government.
Most Read
China Coast Guard Makes Its Longest Intrusion Into Disputed East China Sea Waters
The record-setting intrusion occurred on the same day that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi came to Tokyo.
Can Philippine President Marcos Survive the Wrath of the Dutertes?
The economy may pose a more serious threat than the fulminations of the Mindanao-based political clan.
Why India Must Stop Ignoring Bangladesh’s Interim Government
India needs to understand the nuanced reality of the ground situation in Bangladesh.
Magazine
Will Lee Jae-myung Rise From South Korea’s Political Chaos?
Lee Jae-myung’s strategic bet – that he can leverage widespread public discontent without further deepening societal divisions – will pose a key test for South Korea’s democracy.
Larry Diamond on the Importance of US Foreign Aid
“Ending aid is not a strategy to make America great again. It’s a strategy to make America resented and isolated in the world.”
Pakistan Under Shehbaz Sharif: The State of the Nation
With domestic politics gravely polarized, security increasingly fragile, and the economy barely stable, there is little sign of an end to Pakistan’s chronic dysfunction.
To Russia With Waning Love: Changing Migration Dynamics in Central Asia
Russia and Central Asia have been mutually shaped by decades of labor migration, but these long-running ties have begun to fray.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
Is China’s Peace Plan Still Relevant for Gaza?
As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has spiraled into a renewed and devastating phase, Beijing’s early assertive role appears to have diminished.
Without Radio Free Asia, Who Will Expose China’s Atrocities?
Chinese Influencer Ordered to Leave Taiwan Over Pro-Unification Content
The Huawei Scandal and Europe’s China Reckoning
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
The DNI Report Reveals Why the US Must Enhance Deterrence
A failure to enhance deterrence could incentivize Beijing and Moscow to undertake greater geopolitical risks at the United States’ expense.
China Coast Guard Makes Its Longest Intrusion Into Disputed East China Sea Waters
Malaysia to Tighten Chip Controls After Pressure From US, Report Says
Collateral Damage: UN Sanctions on North Korea at Risk in Putin-Trump Dealings
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
How Indonesia’s Revised Military Law Could Impact Regional Security Dynamics
The legal changes are a sign of Jakarta's increasing concern about the potential for conflict in the region, especially over Taiwan.
Southeast Asia’s Growing Maritime Security Agenda Challenge
‘Security Belt 2025’ and Beyond: China’s Minilateralism on the Rise
The Drone Dilemma: How Unchecked Warfare From Above Threatens the Indo-Pacific
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
China’s Xi to Visit Three Southeast Asian Nations This Month, Report Claims
The Chinese leader will visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia at a time of great uncertainty about the course of U.S. policy toward the region.
In Earthquake’s Aftermath, Major Myanmar Rebel Alliance Announces ‘Humanitarian Pause’
Thai Government Probes Collapse of Bangkok Skyscraper as Rescue Efforts Continue
Myanmar Earthquake Toll Rises Over 2,000 as Rescue Operations Continue
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Putin to Visit India for First Time Since Start of Ukraine War
New Delhi will be among the few capitals to host the Russian president since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him.
Bridging the Gap: Karzai, the Taliban, and the US Dilemma in Afghanistan
India-Bangladesh-Pakistan: South Asia’s Fateful Triangle
Bangladesh Tilts Toward China as Its Lead Economic Partner
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
The Constitutional Questions Being Considered in President Yoon’s Impeachment Case
The Constitutional Court’s overturning of Prime Minister Han’s impeachment helps us make some inferences about Yoon’s case – but not the obvious one.
Constitutional Court Overturns Impeachment of South Korean Prime Minister
What’s Behind the Constitutional Court’s Delayed Verdict on Yoon Suk-yeol’s Impeachment?
As Impeachment Verdict Nears, Yoon’s Public Support Remains Dismal
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Japan Enacts FY 2025 Budget After Rare Revisions
Rice prices and inflation are putting pressure on Ishiba’s minority government.
US, Japan ‘Stand Firmly Together’ in the Face of Aggressive Chinese Actions
In Japan, the Radicalness of Yamamoto Taro Meets the Moment
China’s ‘Malinformation’ Comes for Okinawa
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
Beyond the Barracks: Indonesia’s Military Edges Back Into Civilian Affairs
Recent revisions to the country's 2004 National Armed Forces Law have broken down the firewall between the military and civilian spheres.
The Chaos of Wage Theft in Bangladesh’s Garment Sector Requires Global Accountability
Trump’s Gutting of RFA Hurts Press Freedom – And Helps Its Opponents – Across Asia
Pakistan’s War on Balochistan Has Reached a Point of No Return
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Kygyz, Tajik, Uzbek Presidents Hold Groundbreaking Trilateral Summit
A first-of-its-kind Central Asian summit boosts regional connectivity and authoritarian domestic agendas.
China’s Expanding Footprint in Uzbekistan
USAID Cuts Devastating to Central Asia Programs
The Authoritarian Roots and Implications of the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan Border Agreement
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
Why Grab Wants to Acquire Indonesia’s GoTo for $7 Billion
If successful, the deal will create a ride-hailing and delivery giant that would dominate Southeast Asian markets.
Why Mongolia’s Debt Market Is Attracting Strong Investor Appetite
Indonesia’s Rupiah Falls to Lowest Level Since Asian Financial Crisis
India’s Trade Recalibrations in the Age of Uncertainty
Oceania
The South Pacific
Australia’s Confidence Problem
The biggest current question facing Australia may not be whether it can trust the U.S., but whether it can have the confidence to trust itself.
Australia’s Upcoming Election: The Independent Factor
As Australia’s Election Called for May 3, Both Labor and Liberals See Cause for Hope
Is Australia Still the US’ ‘Deputy Sheriff’?
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, Tariffs, and America’s Global Messaging
The Asia Geopolitics podcast discusses the latest developments in Washington and their implications for Asia policy.
Duterte in The Hague: The Philippines and the Geopolitics of International Law
Is the United States Relitigating Its Grand Strategy?
DeepSeek and the AI Competition
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
The Untold Stories of Peshawar’s Gemstone Market at Namak Mandi
Pakistan’s largest and most important gemstone and mineral market is deeply intertwined with the region’s borders, conflict, and undocumented economies.