South Korea’s Dockyards: A New Factor in Korea-US Military Burden-sharing
With Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, a new chapter of international relations begins. One of his signature statecraft moves, trading intangibles for tangibles, will present...
View ArticleCentral Asia Is Investing in Itself
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Astana in August 2024 marked the inaugural meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. As both parties celebrated strides made...
View ArticleChinese Vessel Suspected of Damaging European Submarine Cables
Two undersea internet cables were severed in the span of 24 hours earlier this week – and European governments suspect a Chinese vessel is responsible. On Sunday, a submarine cable linking Lithuania...
View ArticleVietnam, Malaysia Announce Major Diplomatic Upgrade
Vietnam and Malaysia have announced the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), making Malaysia the first member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to...
View ArticleThinking About China’s Military Exercises Near Taiwan
After Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as president of Taiwan on May 20, and then again after Taiwan’s National Day on October 10, China conducted military exercises near Taiwan. These exercises –...
View ArticleDoes North Korea Really Execute People for Watching South Korean Videos?
A decade ago Yeonmi Park, who fled North Korea in 2007 at age 13, claimed she had witnessed North Korea publicly execute someone for the “crime” of watching a foreign movie in the border city of Hyesan...
View ArticleWhy Did Iraq Suspend a $10 Billion Deal With China?
In a significant geopolitical development, Iraq’s $10 billion oil-for-infrastructure agreement with China has effectively stalled. The ambitious project, initially established under Beijing’s Belt and...
View ArticleThe Global North and South Need a New Industrial Pact
As the world economy fractures into “West” and “East,” the race for the Global South is on. Decoupling is reconfiguring supply chains, and the Global South wants a part of these new global industrial...
View ArticleThe Democratic Party’s Electoral Rout Stemmed From Its China Strategy
The 2024 U.S. election concluded decisively, with Republicans securing a sweeping victory. Not only did Donald Trump win reelection to the White House, but Republicans also won the popular vote,...
View ArticleMirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the BNP’s Vision for Bangladesh
Following the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party, often described as “fascist,” the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as the most popular and the single...
View ArticleHow Taiwan’s Authoritarian Past Shapes Its Security Politics Today
On February 28, 1947, the Kuomintang (KMT) government led by Chiang Kai-shek launched a harsh crackdown in Taiwan by indiscriminately gunning down protesters. On that fateful day, protesters had...
View ArticleHow Taiwan’s Authoritarian Past Shapes Its Security Politics Today
On February 28, 1947, the Kuomintang (KMT) government led by Chiang Kai-shek launched a harsh crackdown in Taiwan by indiscriminately gunning down protesters. On that fateful day, protesters had...
View ArticleWhy Sri Lanka Must Rethink its Engagement with Adani Group
The indictment of Indian billionaire businessman and chairman of the Adani Group, Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and others in a U.S. court has raised alarm in global markets, including in Sri...
View ArticleIn Handling the North Korea-Russia Alliance, Trump Should Follow Nixon
The reelection of Donald Trump presents an opening for improving North Korea-U.S. relations. Better bilateral relations between Washington and Pyongyang can undermine the menacing North Korea-Russia...
View ArticleMalaysia and South Korea Pledge Deeper Cooperation on Defense, Trade
Malaysia and South Korea yesterday announced the establishment of a strategic partnership, promising to strengthen their cooperation on defense, trade, green energy, and critical minerals. ‘The upgrade...
View ArticleCOP29 Outcomes and South Asian Concerns
Even as representatives from nearly 200 countries participating in the November 11-22 COP29 at Baku, Azerbaijan, were busy negotiating how governments should respond to the climate crisis, South Asians...
View ArticleNorth Korea’s Struggles to Deliver on Its Plans
There is often a significant disparity between North Korea’s stated policies and their implementation. In fact, looking back on its history, one could persuasively argue that Pyongyang has frequently...
View ArticleEscalating Militant Violence in Pakistan
Though Pakistan has been reeling from escalating militant violence since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, recent months have been particularly violent in terms of the...
View ArticleAmerica First, Again: US-China Relations and the Second Trump Administration
The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast host Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) is joined by Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat‘s editor-in-chief, to discuss prospects for U.S.-China relations under the second Trump...
View ArticleListening to China’s Economic Whisperers
Who truly has Beijing’s ear when it comes to economic policymaking? As China navigates a period of profound economic challenges, this question has taken on new urgency. While outsiders often perceive...
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