Most Read
![What the Revamp of the Japan-US Alliance Structure Means for South Korea What the Revamp of the Japan-US Alliance Structure Means for South Korea](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-17-133141.jpg)
What the Revamp of the Japan-US Alliance Structure Means for South Korea
New security and military arrangements will have knock-on effects for both Japan and South Korea, their respective U.S. forces, and the regional security architecture.
![The Consequences of China’s Voracious Appetite for Illicit South African Abalone The Consequences of China’s Voracious Appetite for Illicit South African Abalone](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-17-122327.jpg)
The Consequences of China’s Voracious Appetite for Illicit South African Abalone
With profound cultural significance in Asia, poached abalone is trafficked across the globe, inflicting significant harm on disadvantaged South African coastal communities where poaching means survival.
![Pakistan in a Difficult Spot Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Tensions Pakistan in a Difficult Spot Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Tensions](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-17-103447.jpg)
Pakistan in a Difficult Spot Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Tensions
The government cannot afford to annoy Western countries, whose support it needs for loans. But the Pakistani public is angry with Israel.
Magazine
![A Brief Genealogy of Philippine Claims in the South China Sea A Brief Genealogy of Philippine Claims in the South China Sea](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-03-25-175118.jpg)
A Brief Genealogy of Philippine Claims in the South China Sea
Despite being repeatedly let down by its sole treaty ally, the Philippines has persisted in preserving its territorial claims and sovereign rights in the hotly-contested body of water.
![The Sewol Ferry Disaster, 10 Years Later The Sewol Ferry Disaster, 10 Years Later](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-03-25-174738.jpg)
The Sewol Ferry Disaster, 10 Years Later
Despite two changes in the South Korean presidency, bereaved families say their questions remain unanswered.
![How Will the Next US President Tackle the China Economic Challenge? How Will the Next US President Tackle the China Economic Challenge?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-03-25-174522.jpg)
How Will the Next US President Tackle the China Economic Challenge?
While there are important similarities between the Biden and Trump approaches toward China, there are also stark and meaningful differences.
![Sandeep Shastri: Setting the Scene for India’s Elections Sandeep Shastri: Setting the Scene for India’s Elections](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-03-25-174216.jpg)
Sandeep Shastri: Setting the Scene for India’s Elections
Is India becoming an “election-only democracy”?
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
![Chinese Analysts See Little Gain From Blinken’s Visit Chinese Analysts See Little Gain From Blinken’s Visit](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-25-204542.jpg)
Chinese Analysts See Little Gain From Blinken’s Visit
Semi-official media outlets have taken an unusually strident tone in denouncing the secretary of state's trip to China, urging Beijing to take a harder line.
China Launches New 3-member Crew to Its Space Station
With Blinken in China, Beijing Deprioritizes Taiwan
The Sexual Revolution Behind China’s Demographic Crisis
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
![Why the Japan-US WMD in Space Resolution Was Critical Why the Japan-US WMD in Space Resolution Was Critical](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-26-130202.jpg)
Why the Japan-US WMD in Space Resolution Was Critical
The resolution, which failed due to a Russian veto, sought to reaffirm and extend critical norms against placing weapons of mass destruction in space.
Pursuing Rapprochement Between China, Japan, and South Korea
Toward Germany-South Korea Cooperation in Economic Security
India’s Place in Australia’s National Defense Strategy 2024
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
![Taiwan Revives Civilian Leadership of Defense Taiwan Revives Civilian Leadership of Defense](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-05-16-182329.jpg)
Taiwan Revives Civilian Leadership of Defense
Can the Lai administration finally break through the insular defense bureaucracy to enforce necessary reforms?
France, Philippines to Begin Negotiating Reciprocal Access Agreement
Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 Highlights Japan’s Naval Diplomacy
1 Dead, 7 Missing After 2 JMSDF Helicopters Crash in the Pacific Ocean
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
![Head of Vietnam’s Parliament Resigns Amid Corruption Probe Head of Vietnam’s Parliament Resigns Amid Corruption Probe](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-26-120822.jpg)
Head of Vietnam’s Parliament Resigns Amid Corruption Probe
The resignation of National Assembly Chair Vuong Dinh Hue adds to growing perceptions of instability in the country.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Singapore’s Foreign Workforce
Indonesia’s Prabowo On Brink of Parliamentary Majority After Receiving Rival Party’s Backing
Indonesian Imperialism Is Alive – And Brutal – in West Papua
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
![Voters Back Maldives Change in Foreign Policy Voters Back Maldives Change in Foreign Policy](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-26-142852.jpg)
Voters Back Maldives Change in Foreign Policy
A parliamentary supermajority is a chance for Mohammad Muizzu’s government to overhaul foreign policy, but Maldives thrives by embracing all willing partners.
Iran and Pakistan’s Peace Pipeline Conundrum
Pakistani Business Leaders Pitch for Trade Talks With India
A Way Forward in the U.S.-India Critical Minerals Defense Partnership
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
![North Korea Sends Workers to Russia-Occupied Territory in Eastern Ukraine North Korea Sends Workers to Russia-Occupied Territory in Eastern Ukraine](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-10-03-122518.jpg)
North Korea Sends Workers to Russia-Occupied Territory in Eastern Ukraine
Pyongyang made the decision after concluding that Russia had gained the upper hand in its war with Ukraine.
When China Banned Korean Boy Bands
India-South Korea-US Trilateral Technology Cooperation
Mongolia to Strengthen Tourism and Creative Industry Ties With South Korea
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
![Japan’s AI Diplomacy Japan’s AI Diplomacy](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2021-10-15-7.jpg)
Japan’s AI Diplomacy
In order to take a global leadership role in AI regulations and innovation, the Kishida administration must formulate its own legal framework at home.
Japan and North Korea Need to Start a New Chapter
Japan’s ‘Grave Concern’ Over New Hong Kong Legislation
How Likely Is a Japan-North Korea Summit?
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
![Why the SDGs Should Be Revised to Meet the Needs of Indigenous Peoples Why the SDGs Should Be Revised to Meet the Needs of Indigenous Peoples](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-24-065551.jpg)
Why the SDGs Should Be Revised to Meet the Needs of Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous people have unique needs and backgrounds that are overlooked by the 17 targets outlined by the United Nations.
Asia-Pacific States Must Divorce Their Industry Friends for a Strong Global Plastics Treaty
Taiwan Is Indispensable in Preparing for Future Pandemics
Welcome to World War III
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
![Mongolian Parliament Passes Legislation to Establish Sovereign Wealth Fund Mongolian Parliament Passes Legislation to Establish Sovereign Wealth Fund](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-06-07-152130.jpg)
Mongolian Parliament Passes Legislation to Establish Sovereign Wealth Fund
Can Mongolia finally ensure that its mineral wealth benefits the people?
TikTok’s Rocky Road in Central Asia
UK Foreign Secretary’s Visit to Central Asia and Mongolia: An Urgent To-Do List
Turkmenistan’s Afghanistan Policy: Balancing Risks and Untapped Opportunities
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
![Does a New Book on the China Threat Preview a Second Trump Presidency? Does a New Book on the China Threat Preview a Second Trump Presidency?](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-23-225806.jpg)
Does a New Book on the China Threat Preview a Second Trump Presidency?
A new book by James Fanell and Bradley Thayer, with a foreword by Steve Bannon, could foreshadow how Trump administration “super hawks” would approach China policy.
As Blinken Heads to China, What’s on the Agenda?
Leadership Shift in the House China Select Committee Could Cripple Congress’ Anti-China Momentum
Why Are Americans Souring on Foreign Investment?
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
![How the Indonesia Investment Authority Built Its Portfolio in 2023 How the Indonesia Investment Authority Built Its Portfolio in 2023](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-23-202738.jpg)
How the Indonesia Investment Authority Built Its Portfolio in 2023
Three years after its establishment, the purpose of the state-run investment fund is starting to come into focus.
US and Europe: 2 Different Approaches to Restricting Chinese EVs
Apple Considering Opening a Factory in Indonesia, CEO Says
Beyond Tariffs: Overcapacity Ignites Fresh Tensions in China-US Trade Relations
Oceania
The South Pacific
![Strengthening Australia’s Engagement in the Indian Ocean Strengthening Australia’s Engagement in the Indian Ocean](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-26-135336.jpg)
Strengthening Australia’s Engagement in the Indian Ocean
Australia must work a little harder to fully integrate itself as a member of the Indian Ocean community.
Australia’s (Alleged) Mushroom Murders Raise the Question of How Women Kill
Solomon Islands Goes to the Polls
China’s Influence Weighs Heavily on Solomon Islands Election
Videos
Asia on Video
![The Danger of China’s Digital Silk Road The Danger of China’s Digital Silk Road](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-23-125320.jpg)
The Danger of China’s Digital Silk Road
Michael Caster discusses the link between China's digital investments abroad and digital repression.
What Will China’s Shift From Oil Mean for Saudi Arabia and Russia?
Why Did the Islamic State Target Russia?
Is China Committing Environmental Crimes in the South China Sea?
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
![Life Along the Thai-Myanmar Frontier Life Along the Thai-Myanmar Frontier](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2024-04-15-093549.jpg)
Life Along the Thai-Myanmar Frontier
The border town of Myawaddy has now fallen and ethnic rebels want negotiations with the Thai government.