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The Diplomat is a current-affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific, with news and analysis on politics, security, business, technology and life across the region.
Updated: 12 hours 59 min ago

Understanding Trump’s Latest Tariff Threat Against South Korea

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 14:40
Looking for a hidden motive misses the point: Trump is extremely direct about expressing his displeasure. 

Fake Mental Hospitals Highlight China’s Elder Care Challenge

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 14:14
A scandal in which scores of seniors were sucked into an insurance scam shows how the current system is failing vulnerable people.

What Is Greenland’s Role in China’s Arctic Strategy?

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 13:51
Trump’s obsession with Greenland could actually create the result he is so afraid of: increasing China's Arctic presence.

India’s Defense Budget Jumps 15 Percent

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 12:11
Defense officials say that the inflated spending reflects a new focus on military modernization triggered by Operation Sindoor.

Things to Watch in Bangladesh’s Upcoming Election

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 11:42
Violence remains one of the most serious concerns in the run-up to and during the polls.

Plebiscite or Refounding? The Constitutional Limits of the Referendum in Bangladesh

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 11:18
By passing this referendum, Bangladesh is likely to set another precedent for disregarding the Constitution in times of crisis.

The Plastic Pollution Crisis

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 07:53
The evidence is now overwhelming, current levels of plastic production and consumption are unsustainable.

Thailand Prepares to Vote in High-stakes General Election

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 06:24
No party is expected to win the 251-seat majority needed to rule alone.

US Government Removes Embargo on Arms Sales to Cambodia

Fri, 06/02/2026 - 01:15
The Department of Commerce's ruling is the latest sign of the positive momentum in relations between Phnom Penh and Washington.

Indonesia’s $80 Billion Wake-Up Call

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 22:51
The country's recent stock crash was a clear warning that the world will no longer invest in a market dominated by a handful of powerful families.

In Kyrgyzstan, US Special Envoy Gor Brushes Aside Visa Restrictions, Promotes Business

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 16:40
U.S. policy toward Central Asia has narrowed to the economic realm.

Can One Nation Turn Its Polling Hype Into Seats in Parliament? 

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 16:03
History suggests it will struggle, as the far-right party's internal dynamics pose its biggest obstacle.

Japan’s Inbound Tourism Is Booming, But Japanese Are Less Interested in Going Abroad

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 15:38
Japan’s government is cutting passport fees in a bid to incentivize overseas travel, which has yet to recover from the pandemic.

Bangladesh’s 2026 Election Is a Litmus Test for Global Democratic Revival

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 15:16
If successful, Bangladesh could inspire beleaguered democrats across Asia and beyond. If not, it risks validating the resilience of hybrid regimes that mimic elections while stifling competition.

China and the US Want Africa’s Critical Minerals. Will African Countries Actually Benefit?

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 15:15
Amid the great power competition, do either the U.S. or Chinese strategies advance Africa’s own vision for developing the continent’s mining sector?

India’s Strategic Autonomy for a Capital Lifeline?

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 14:42
With the February 2 U.S.-India tariff deal announcement, New Delhi has apparently traded its energy security for capital reassurance.

What Yang Sung Ho’s Dismissal Reveals About Kim Jong Un’s New Accountability

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 14:32
The public humiliation of Vice Premier Yang Sung Ho is part of a longer pattern: Kim has been escalating his accountability rhetoric for years.

Pakistan’s Stature Grows as Trump Invites It to Participate in Iran-US Nuclear Talks

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 13:19
Previously, Pakistan has quietly facilitated backchannel contacts between the U.S. and Iran. Its inclusion now in nuclear talks between the two is unprecedented.

Japan-Philippines Security Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 13:16
A steady course in troubled waters.

North Korea Waits for Major Concessions From Trump

Thu, 05/02/2026 - 13:07
If a situation arises in which Trump were to offer sweeping concessions to North Korea, there may be no one left to apply the brakes.

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