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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: 6 days 8 hours ago

Is Cambodia Pivoting to the US by Joining President Trump’s Board of Peace?

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 02:38
A binary U.S.-China framing obscures the layered and multi-directional character of Cambodia’s current foreign policy.

Malaysian Parliament Votes Down Proposed 10-Year Prime Ministerial Term Limit

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 02:15
The Bill was a part of a package of reforms that Anwar announced in January, in response to growing discontent within the ranks of his unity government.

Myanmar Junta Grants Amnesties to More Than 7,300 Political Prisoners

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 00:42
The release is designed to reinforce the legitimacy of the incoming “civilian” administration and communicate signals of reform to foreign governments.

From AI to Free Trade, South Korea and Singapore Double Down on Partnership

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 22:06
As the competition between the United States and China intensifies, Seoul and Singapore are laying the groundwork for strategic cooperation in a variety of fields.

The Decapitation of Iran: What Tehran’s Chaos Means for China

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 19:23
The joint Israeli-U.S. decapitation of the Iranian regime signals the end of China’s “Westward March” and a blow to its global influence.

North Korea’s Response to the Israel-US Attacks on Iran

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 18:58
Just a week after North Korea signaled openness to dialogue, the U.S. launched a military operation against Iran with a stated goal of regime change.

Uzbekistan’s Afghanistan Push Accelerates

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 18:56
With growing trade volumes, infrastructure initiatives, and initial geological explorations in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is testing whether economic interdependence and proximity can function as a substitute for political recognition. 

Central Asia Watches, Worries, as Conflict Threatens to Engulf the Middle East

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 17:09
It’s awkward to be on record calling Trump the “president of peace” as he plunges the Middle East into a likely catastrophic conflict.

How Former Allies Pakistan and the Taliban Came to ‘Open War’

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 17:06
For the first time, Pakistan has directly targeted the Afghan Taliban in cross-border strikes.

South Korean President Pledges to Respect North’s System in March 1st Address

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 15:38
Lee Jae-myung seeks peaceful coexistence with North Korea and shuttle diplomacy with Japan amid a shifting regional security landscape.

Japan’s Iran Dilemma: Oil, Alliances, and Nuclear Double Standards

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 15:07
For Japan, the crisis is not only about energy security. It also strikes at the heart of the country’s moral and strategic identity.

China’s February 26 Military Purge: The Domino Effect

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 14:50
In the latest sign of continuing purges in China's military, 10 PLA officers were stripped of their roles as delegates to the National People’s Congress.

Central Asia’s ‘Soft Confederation’ Has a Hard Limit

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 14:27
The recent burst of C5+ summitry does not prove that Central Asia is on a linear path toward deep integration. The region is building something subtler and more durable.

How India Lost Bangladesh (And Can It Be Fixed?)

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 14:10
With a new elected government installed in Dhaka, can India and Bangladesh put their derailed bilateral relations back on track?

Modi Puts India Firmly in the Israel-US Camp

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 12:45
Modi's strong support for Israel – and refusal to condemn the Israel-U.S. strikes on Iran, a long-time friend of India’s – have “diminished India’s stature in the eyes of the world.”

Singapore to Ramp Up Immigration as Birth Rate Hits New Low

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 05:21
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said that without concerted action, the country's citizen population will start to shrink by the early 2040s.

Nepal Heads to the Polls in a Generational Reckoning

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 03:24
More than in any previous Nepali election, the vote on March 5 will revolve around cults of personality.

Inside the Indonesia-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement: A Quiet Reordering of Economic Relations

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 01:51
The deal has the potential to shift the basis of bilateral trade between Jakarta and Washington, narrowing China’s ability to anchor supply chains and standards in Indonesia.

How Southeast Asia Responded to the Outbreak of the Iran War

Mon, 02/03/2026 - 00:55
In the wake of the attacks, most of the region's governments have issued calls for restraint and a return to political dialogue.

The Significance of Zhang Youxia’s Downfall

Sun, 01/03/2026 - 12:56
This could have an impact on military modernization – and Taiwan.

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