You are here

TheDiplomat

Subscribe to TheDiplomat feed
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: 4 days 7 hours ago

Iran War and India’s Diplomatic Failures

Wed, 11/03/2026 - 09:06
A country of India’s size and energy dependence cannot afford to place all its geopolitical bets on one side of a regional divide.

Southeast Asia and the Middle East Energy Shock

Wed, 11/03/2026 - 08:38
Countries across the region have banned fuel exports and are attempting to reduce fuel consumption in anticipation of a regional energy crunch.

Fukushima and the ‘Lessons Learned’ From Nuclear Disasters

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 20:27
Nuclear accidents have become opportunities to strengthen and improve nuclear safety – while conveniently forgetting the lasting harm done to the victims.

15 Years after Fukushima: Japan’s Stalling Nuclear Revival 

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 19:45
The underlying structural obstacles have made a genuine nuclear power revival impossible – but Japan’s government seems unaware of this reality. 

EU, Thailand Must Address Migrant Worker Rights in Trade Talks

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 15:42
In its rush to diversify trading partners amid growing global uncertainty, the EU should not sacrifice the potential of trade negotiations to improve rights and address abusive practices.

Kim Yo Jong Condemns South Korea-US Joint Military Exercises

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 15:42
The powerful sister of North Korean leader labeled the “Freedom Shield” exercises as war rehearsal while warning of overwhelming deterrent response.

The Paris Prelude: How Quiet Diplomacy Is Shaping the Coming Trump-Xi Summit

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 15:04
This weekend’s meetings between China’s vice premier and the U.S. treasury secretary and trade representative will help determine the outcomes of the big summit in April.

The War in Iran Sends Economic Shockwaves Through Central Asia

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 15:01
Iran’s ban on food exports and the disruption of trade corridors are hitting the landlocked economies of Central Asia at a vulnerable moment.

Indonesia’s Civil-Military Boundaries Under New Pressure

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 14:30
The plan to train thousands of civil servants as National Reserve troops is drawing criticism over risks of militarizing the bureaucracy.

A Primer on North Korea’s Upcoming Parliamentary Election

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 14:18
Of course these elections have no real competition. But they are not meaningless.

Modernizing the South Korea-US Alliance Requires Checking the Assumptions

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 13:54
Both Seoul and Washington want to “modernize” the alliance – but they have different goals in mind.

China’s 5-Year Plan Has Moved Beyond the Chip War. Washington Hasn’t Noticed.

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 13:33
Primary-source analysis of the 15th Five-Year Plan reveals a computing infrastructure strategy already being deployed in Southeast Asia, with explicit military-civil fusion mandates that current export controls do not address.

Unmasking the Hypocrisy Behind Kazakhstan NGO Foreign Funding Law

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 13:33
Foreign capital is celebrated as a driver of progress by the state, while foreign-funded civil society is painted as a threat.

Myanmar’s Military on the Back Foot Over Fuel Shortages

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 04:41
But the junta is setting up a new propaganda unit in order to send more positive messages.

Indonesia Announces Social Media Ban For Children Under 16

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 03:13
From March 28, young Indonesians will be blocked from having accounts on “high-risk” digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Indonesia Says It Has Finalized BrahMos Missile Purchase From India

Tue, 10/03/2026 - 01:15
The country will become the second Southeast Asian nation to acquire the powerful Indo-Russian weapons system, after the Philippines.

Inside North Korea’s 9th Party Congress

Mon, 09/03/2026 - 20:59
What happened at the latest congress of the Workers' Party of Korea and why does it matter?

The Broken Japarov-Tashiev Tandem

Mon, 09/03/2026 - 19:36
Moral panic, memory, and symbolic politics in Kyrgyzstan.

Kazakhstan’s Pragmatic Foreign Policy Faces Uncertainty Amid Attacks Across the Middle East

Mon, 09/03/2026 - 18:16
Since the Israeli-U.S. attack on Iran on February 28, which triggered numerous regional airstrikes, Kazakhstan has scrambled to maintain positive relations across the region.

Gulf War 3.0: The Iran Conflict Spreads to South Asia

Mon, 09/03/2026 - 18:04
Host Tushar Shetty sits down with Siddhant Kishore to examine the impact of the Iran conflict on South Asia. 

Pages