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April 08, 2021
How Japanese Women Saved Shinto
By Cristian Martini Grimaldi
A Shinto priest explains the ancient Japanese religion – and the crucial, often forgotten role women played in keeping it alive after World War II.
April 07, 2021
Yes, China Has the World’s Largest Navy. That Matters Less Than You Might Think.
By Benjamin Mainardi
China’s fleet relies disproportionately on smaller classes of ships – and U.S. capabilities are bolstered by its allies’ navies.
April 07, 2021
Would Access to Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base Really Benefit China?
By Chen Heang
Gaining access to a Cambodian naval facility would give China's navy little discernible strategic advantage.
April 03, 2021
Spike in Violence Follows Failed Negotiations Between the Pakistani Taliban and Islamabad
By Franz J. Marty
Sources reveal secret negotiations between Pakistan’s government and the TTP, which ultimately fell apart.
DRI | Monthly Report
DRI
DRI REPORT NO. 3
An Asian Space Odyssey
Civil, Military, and Commercial Space Ambitions
COVID-19 in Asia
April 13, 2021
Bhutan Vaccinates 93% of Adults in 16 Days
By Associated Press
In just over two weeks, Bhutan has vaccinated more of its population than any country in the world but the Seychelles.
April 12, 2021
Global Trade Is Recovering From the Pandemic. North Korea’s Economy Isn’t.
By Troy Stangarone
With its borders still locked down, North Korea isn’t benefiting from China’s return to growth. That’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
April 12, 2021
Thailand Buffeted by Third Wave of COVID-19 Infections
By Sebastian Strangio
The new outbreak threatens to undermine Thailand's economic recovery before it has even begun.
April 08, 2021
Modi Gets 2nd Vaccine Dose as India Hits Record For Daily Cases
By Associated Press
The prime minister urged Indians to get vaccinated as the country sees its case count soar to new heights.
Magazine
M
April 01, 2021
Asia’s Youth in Revolt
By Nicholas Farrelly
In Thailand, Myanmar, and Hong Kong, Asia’s brave youth go toe-to-toe with history.
April 01, 2021
Australia-China Relations: The Great Debate
By Jane Golley
All sides can agree that the relationship is at a historic low. But the causes – and possible solutions – are far more contentious.
April 01, 2021
What Explains Nepal’s Perennial Instability?
By Peter Gill
Decisive election results in 2017 raised hopes that Nepal would finally see a government finish its term. That looks like a distant dream today.
April 01, 2021
The Making of Brand Modi
By Asim Ali
Narendra Modi has created one of the most powerful political brands in India’s history. But that centralization of power creates its own weaknesses.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
P
April 13, 2021
Hong Kong’s Activists in Exile
By The Diplomat staff
From Nathan Law to Ted Hui, a growing number of pro-democracy figures are choosing life overseas amid a widening crackdown at home.
April 13, 2021
China’s Digital Silk Road and the Global Digital Order
April 12, 2021
Zhao Kezhi’s Legacy Could Define China’s Regional Security Paradigm
April 09, 2021
Taiwan Picks Up the Pieces in Aftermath of Deadly Train Crash
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
F
April 13, 2021
Official: Iran to Enrich Uranium to 60%, Highest Level Ever
By Jon Gambrell
Following an Israeli attack on the Nantaz nuclear facility, Tehran has doubled down on its nuclear goals, raising the specter of regional crisis.
April 09, 2021
Iran Frees South Korean Ship Held Amid Dispute Over Funds
April 09, 2021
Welcome to the Fog of More
April 08, 2021
Taiwan Will Fight ‘to the Very Last Day’ If China Attacks
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
D
April 09, 2021
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Conducts ‘Routine’ Drills Near Taiwan
By Steven Stashwick
Six warships pass through the Ryukyus to exercise east of Taiwan.
April 08, 2021
US Destroyer Carries Out FONOP in Indian EEZ
April 08, 2021
Japan Could Deliver 8 Cutting-Edge Frigates to Indonesia
April 07, 2021
Yes, China Has the World’s Largest Navy. That Matters Less Than You Might Think.
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
B
April 13, 2021
Malaysia and Indonesia in the Middle East
By Guy Burton
The two Muslim-majority Southeast Asian states cannot avoid domestic implications from their policies toward the Middle East.
April 12, 2021
Singapore PM Succession Setback
April 12, 2021
Myanmar Sees Another Day of Bloodshed, as Armed Resistance Rises
April 12, 2021
VICE Asia Tampers with Khmer Rouge Tribunal Evidence
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
P
April 13, 2021
Taliban Not Ready to Attend Turkey Summit on Afghan Peace
By Catherine Putz
A Taliban spokesman said the group was not ready to attend the conference the U.S. and the Afghan government had hoped to start on April 16.
April 13, 2021
Nepal’s Burn Violence Survivors Await New Law
April 13, 2021
Pakistan Police Arrest Radical Islamist Party Head in Lahore
April 13, 2021
Bhutan Vaccinates 93% of Adults in 16 Days
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
K
April 12, 2021
Global Trade Is Recovering From the Pandemic. North Korea’s Economy Isn’t.
By Troy Stangarone
With its borders still locked down, North Korea isn’t benefiting from China’s return to growth. That’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
April 09, 2021
Why Did Young South Koreans Ditch the Democratic Party and President Moon?
April 08, 2021
Seoul and Busan Mayor By-Elections Spell Trouble for President Moon
April 06, 2021
North Korea Says It Won’t Participate in Tokyo Olympics
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
R
April 13, 2021
The Biden-Suga Summit: What to Expect
By Joshua W. Walker
If both leaders play their cards right, ties between Tokyo and Washington could?anchor a peaceful and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific for years to come.
April 09, 2021
The Japan-US Alliance During the Biden Administration
April 08, 2021
Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Operators Penalized for Sloppy Safeguards at Niigata
April 08, 2021
Japan Regulator Bans Nuke Plant Restart Over Lax Safeguards
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
D
April 09, 2021
Sri Lankan Muslims Fear Speaking Out
By Tasnim Nazeer
A crackdown on dissenting voices -- those denouncing Islamophobia and criticizing the government -- has Sri Lanka’s Muslims afraid to speak out.
April 08, 2021
The US Must Help Afghans Who Helped It
April 07, 2021
Afghanistan: A Difficult Road Ahead, But Change Is Inescapable
April 07, 2021
Myanmar on the Brink
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
A
April 13, 2021
Europe Adds Uzbekistan to GSP+ Trade Scheme
By Catherine Putz
The benefits -- zero tariffs on a range of goods -- come with rights monitoring requirements of shortcomings Uzbekistan may have difficulty improving.
April 12, 2021
Low Turnout for a Strong President: Kyrgyzstan Approves New Constitution?
April 12, 2021
Turkic Council Sets Sights on Upgrade Rooted in Economic Connectivity Projects
April 10, 2021
Settling Central Asia’s Borders Is No Easy Task
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
V
April 10, 2021
US Envoy Kerry Discusses Climate Challenges in Bangladesh
By Julhas Alam
The U.S. special envoy on climate stopped in Bangladesh as part of a tour of climate change-vulnerable nations.
April 06, 2021
The China Plan: Transatlantic Blueprint for Strategic Competition
April 06, 2021
The Challenges of US China Policy
April 06, 2021
The Japan-US Summit and Cooperation With South Korea
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
M
April 14, 2021
China’s Exports Rise as Global Demand Revives
By Joe McDonald
Chinese exports to the United States jumped 53.6 percent in March to $38.7 billion despite tariff hikes still in place on Chinese goods.
April 12, 2021
Sacred Sustainability: Singapore, Greening, and Biophilic Design
April 06, 2021
How Independent Should Bank Indonesia (or any Central Bank) Be?
April 05, 2021
How Will China’s Sovereign Digital Currency Affect Fintech?
Oceania
The South Pacific
O
April 06, 2021
New Zealand to Open Travel Bubble With Australia on April 19
By Nick Perry
Australia had previously allowed New Zealanders to arrive without going into quarantine but New Zealand had taken a more cautious approach.
April 06, 2021
Why Australia Needs to Prioritize Women
April 05, 2021
Heavy Rains Over Easter Weekend Flood Timor-Leste’s Capital
March 31, 2021
Palau President Visits Taiwan Despite Chinese Pressure
Videos
Asia on Video
V
March 23, 2021
Ceasing Fire: India, Pakistan, and Elusive Peace in South Asia
By The Diplomat
Madiha Afzal, Michael Kugelman, and Asfandyar Mir discuss the surprise ceasefire and the long-term implications for South Asian peace.
March 15, 2021
Violence Follows New ‘Anti-Conversion’ Law in India’s Madhya Pradesh
March 04, 2021
Myanmar Coup and the Aftermath
February 09, 2021
African Perspectives on China
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
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April 03, 2021
China’s Maritime Militia at Whitsun Reef: Trouble in the South China Sea
By Ankit Panda
China’s maritime militia is once again at the center of a crisis in the South China Sea. What now?
March 30, 2021
Breathing Fresh Life into Cambodia’s Art Scene
March 17, 2021
Southeast Asia’s Emerging Markets, Post-Pandemic
March 17, 2021
The ‘Quad’ Summit: Delivering Value in the Indo-Pacific
Photo Essays
Asia in Pictures
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March 08, 2021
In Photos: China and India’s Pangong Lake Disengagement
By Rajeev Bhattacharya
After false starts China-India military disengagement in the northern and southern banks of the Pangong Lake is finally over. This is how the process looked.