Latest Stories
What Trump’s New Tariff Rules Mean for South Asia
Uncertainty looms. But since the tariffs are also squeezing global competitors, South Asian countries could, with the right policies, recover.
COP31: An Opportunity That Australia Cannot Afford to Miss
The benefits of co-hosting the annual climate negotiations by far outweigh the costs, both economically and strategically.
Southeast Asian Governments React to Punitive Trump Tariffs
Vietnam and Thailand say they are open to negotiations with Washington, but will also seek to diversify their export markets away from the U.S.
Airstrikes Amid Earthquakes: Myanmar’s Double Disaster
The junta's muddled and repressive response to the devastating March 28 earthquake show where its priorities really lie.
The India-US Trade Dilemma: Tariffs, Tensions, and the Road Ahead
New Delhi faces a difficult choice between attempting to ease tariffs through diplomatic channels or imposing counter-tariffs on U.S. goods.
On Defense, Trump’s Early Moves in Asia Have Been Notably Normal
Despite its high-decible MAGA rhetoric, the administration has largely upheld the regional commitments made during Joe Biden's presidency.
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
Adani’s Controversial Footprint in India’s Neighborhood (and Elsewhere)
The growth of the Adani Group, especially overseas, has mirrored Modi’s political ascendancy. As a result, controversy involving Adani projects causes backlash against India as a whole.
Cambodia: The Unbearable Memory of the Khmer Rouge
April 17, 1975 – the day Phnom Penh fell – can perhaps never be fully reappropriated because of the strong sense of shame and pain that surrounds it.
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.”
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
On Defense, Trump’s Early Moves in Asia Have Been Notably Normal
Despite its high-decible MAGA rhetoric, the administration has largely upheld the regional commitments made during Joe Biden's presidency.
The DNI Report Reveals Why the US Must Enhance Deterrence
China Coast Guard Makes Its Longest Intrusion Into Disputed East China Sea Waters
Malaysia to Tighten Chip Controls After Pressure From US, Report Says
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
Capitalizing on PLA Vulnerabilities: Taiwan’s Opportunities for Enhanced Defense
Over the past few decades, the world has seen the military balance shift in China’s favor. Yet, Taiwan is not without its opportunities.
US Clears Possible $5B Sale of Jet Fighters to Philippines
How Indonesia’s Revised Military Law Could Impact Regional Security Dynamics
Southeast Asia’s Growing Maritime Security Agenda Challenge
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Southeast Asian Governments React to Punitive Trump Tariffs
Vietnam and Thailand say they are open to negotiations with Washington, but will also seek to diversify their export markets away from the U.S.
Myanmar Junta Announces Ceasefire to Aid Earthquake Recovery Efforts
Southeast Asia Slammed By President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs
China’s Xi to Visit Three Southeast Asian Nations This Month, Report Claims
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
What Trump’s New Tariff Rules Mean for South Asia
Uncertainty looms. But since the tariffs are also squeezing global competitors, South Asian countries could, with the right policies, recover.
The Man Who Would be King Again? Former Nepal King’s Delusions of Power
Frontline Failure: Pakistan’s Climate Vulnerability and Leadership Gap
India’s Lagging Attempts to Contain Pollution: Bridging the Climate Commitment Gap
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
South Korea’s Risky Bet on Online Regulation
As Seoul considers new regulations on online platforms, concerns about competition, national security, and possible U.S. retaliation loom large.
The Constitutional Questions Being Considered in President Yoon’s Impeachment Case
Constitutional Court Overturns Impeachment of South Korean Prime Minister
What’s Behind the Constitutional Court’s Delayed Verdict on Yoon Suk-yeol’s Impeachment?
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
COP31: An Opportunity That Australia Cannot Afford to Miss
The benefits of co-hosting the annual climate negotiations by far outweigh the costs, both economically and strategically.
Airstrikes Amid Earthquakes: Myanmar’s Double Disaster
Modi’s Waqf Bill a Potential Death Blow for Muslim Property Rights
No Time to Waste for Asia-Pacific Leadership
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
The EU and Central Asia Can Forge a Strategic Partnership Through Connectivity
The Samarkand summit marks a watershed moment in EU-Central Asia relations at a time when the international order is undergoing a fundamental realignment.
Kygyz, Tajik, Uzbek Presidents Hold Groundbreaking Trilateral Summit
China’s Expanding Footprint in Uzbekistan
USAID Cuts Devastating to Central Asia Programs
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
Trump’s Subtle Shift on China: From Economic Coercion to Military Confrontation
Trump may not entirely rule out a deal with Beijing, but the ongoing stalemates in Ukraine and Gaza are pushing him to seek breakthroughs elsewhere.
AI vs Art: Studio Ghibli Edition
Vietnam in US-China Trade Tensions
Voice of America Shutdown: Trump’s Gift to China
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
How Sri Lanka is Rewriting its Economic Narrative
By prioritizing transparency, the Sri Lankan government aims to rebuild trust with international lenders and investors, a critical step in stabilizing the economy.
The India-US Trade Dilemma: Tariffs, Tensions, and the Road Ahead
Why Grab Wants to Acquire Indonesia’s GoTo for $7 Billion
Why Mongolia’s Debt Market Is Attracting Strong Investor Appetite
Oceania
The South Pacific
Cooperation, Coordination, and Strategic Denial: Echoes and Lessons from Cold War Oceania
With a fundamentally different playing field today, the United States and its Western partners should adapt, if not adopt, the strategies of the Cold War.
Australia’s Confidence Problem
Australia’s Upcoming Election: The Independent Factor
As Australia’s Election Called for May 3, Both Labor and Liberals See Cause for Hope
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.