Latest Stories
What Afghanistan Taught Us — And Why Libya May Be Lost If the Lesson Is Ignored
Modi-Putin Summit: More Style and Symbolism Than Substance
While not altering the global balance of power in any meaningful way, Putin’s visit might actually diminish India’s significance in the eyes of the West.
Thai and Cambodian Troops Again Clash Along Disputed Border
The two governments have accused the other of responsibility for a string of incidents that threaten to ignite another full-scale border conflict.
Thailand’s Aircraft Carrier, the Chakri Naruebet, Charts a New Course
The carrier has mostly been used for HADR missions, and debates about its utility have raged since it entered into service in 1997.
How China Now Talks About NATO and Why It Matters for the Asia-Pacific
Until 2021, statements about NATO in Chinese foreign and defense ministry press conferences were few and largely neutral in tone. Then the tone hardened.
Hybridization of the Terror Threat in India
Recent incidents point to the use of advanced operational techniques and technologies, signaling an increasing hybridization of terrorist techniques, tactics, and procedures.
Most Read
How Israel’s Embassy Lost China
The tenure of Israel’s outgoing ambassador was marked by a lack of effort to engage with Chinese thought leaders or combat rising antisemitism – until it was too late.
How Southeast Asia Became the Scam Capital of the World
How did the online scam industry take root in Southeast Asia, and how did it grow to such massive proportions?
Bali: Killing Fields in a Tropical Paradise
Bali’s beaches, bars, and luxury resorts hide a chilling past: 60 years ago, these were execution sites and mass graves.
Blogs
China Power
A New World Order
What Does China Want? Depends Which China You’re Talking About.
China gives conflicting signals because it has three different “personas”: Moral China, Defensive-Assertive China, and Striving China.
From Theft to Labubu: The Evolution of Intellectual Property Protection in China
Hong Kong’s Tragic Fire Shows the Consequences of a Hollowed-out Civil Society
Totalitarianism in China: Resurrected and Rejuvenated by Reform
Flashpoints
Diplomacy by Other Means
China and India’s National Strategy and Competition in Cislunar Space
The paths of China and India in space show how Asian space powers are fundamentally transforming the global distribution of capabilities and influence in cislunar space.
Want an Explanation for China’s Nuclear Build-up?
China’s New ‘Two-Front Strategy’ Against Japan and Taiwan
Vietnam’s Cautious Acceptance of Chinese 5G Technology
Asia Defense
Militaries of the Asia-Pacific
Thailand’s Aircraft Carrier, the Chakri Naruebet, Charts a New Course
The carrier has mostly been used for HADR missions, and debates about its utility have raged since it entered into service in 1997.
How China Now Talks About NATO and Why It Matters for the Asia-Pacific
Xi Jinping’s Grip on the Military Is Getting Stronger, Not Weaker
Tejas Crash in Dubai Raises Questions of Fighter Jet’s Reliability
ASEAN Beat
Insights Into Half a Billion
Thai and Cambodian Troops Again Clash Along Disputed Border
The two governments have accused the other of responsibility for a string of incidents that threaten to ignite another full-scale border conflict.
ASEAN Between China and the US: Navigating a ‘No Single Power’ Global Order
Thailand Girds For Early 2026 Polls Amid Economic Stagnation
Malaysia’s Rare Earth Transition
The Pulse
Perspectives on South Asia
Modi-Putin Summit: More Style and Symbolism Than Substance
While not altering the global balance of power in any meaningful way, Putin’s visit might actually diminish India’s significance in the eyes of the West.
Hybridization of the Terror Threat in India
A Forgotten Hostage Crisis: Bangladeshi Citizens in the Arakan Army’s Captivity
India’s Buildings Could Be a Big Part of Its Climate Solution
The Koreas
Divided Peninsula
Lee Jae-myung’s Latest Policy Signals to North Korea
Lee has downgraded “denuclearization” as a goal. Will it be enough to attract interest from Pyongyang?
One Year After Martial Law Debacle, South Korea’s New President Vows to Complete ‘Light Revolution’
Why Is the PPP Still Defending Yoon Suk-yeol?
South Korean President Says Unification Is Ultimate Goal
Tokyo Report
News From Japan
Former Japanese PM Ishiba Shigeru Has Thoughts on His Successor
Ishiba has critiqued current Prime Minister Takaichi for her Taiwan remarks, nuclear policy, and rice vouchers.
China Intensifies ‘Three Warfares’ Targeting Japan Over Takaichi’s Taiwan Remarks
Silent Streets and Shifting Norms: Japan’s Weakening Pacifist Movement
Former Defense Minister Nakatani Says Japan’s Next Submarine ‘Will Eventually Need Nuclear Propulsion’
The Debate
Comment and Opinion
Crossroads Asia
The New Silk Road
Kyrgyz Election Commission Tosses Results From District With Highest Turnout, Citing Violations
The commission says all 14 candidates won’t be permitted to run again for the seat, but a court could reverse that decision.
Are Uzbekistan’s Peacebuilding Efforts Sustainable in Central Asia?
Kazakhstan’s Orda.kz Raided, Editor Placed Under House Arrest
Tajikistan Launches National Messenger ORIZ Amid Surveillance Concerns
Trans-Pacific View
U.S. Policy on Asia
US Steps up Defense Cooperation in Southeast Asia
Washington is making progress with a range of states: from staunch ally the Philippines to newer partner Vietnam and even Cambodia, where China's influence dominates.
Trump–Xi and Strategic Recalibration
Try, Try Again: New Bills Submitted to Address the Jackson-Vanik Problem
Can the NBA Help Heal China-US Relations?
Pacific Money
Economy And Business
Is China’s Real Estate Crisis Driving the Next Stage of Homegrown Innovation?
A closer look at the economic numbers suggests that a bad real estate industry is not all bad news for the Chinese economy.
China vs. Korea: Who Is Winning the Battery Battle in Hungary?
The Oddities of Vietnam’s Property Market, Explained
Takaichi’s Growth Gamble: The 30-Year JGB Is Flashing a Warning
Oceania
The South Pacific
The $500 Mistake: Why International Students in Australia Are Selling Their Bank Accounts to Criminals
That “easy money” comes with a steep cost: a criminal record, a lifetime ban from Australia, and up to life imprisonment.
Australia’s National AI Plan Has Just Been Released. Who Exactly Will Benefit?
How Best to Defend Australia’s Democracy in the Digital Age?
Trump’s Deportations Threaten the US Relationship With the Pacific, and China Seeks to Capitalize
Videos
Asia on Video
Why China Can’t Make Gwadar Work – Even After Billions Spent
Gwadar port has often been touted as CPEC’s “crown jewel.” Yet almost two decades after the port began operations, business has been lackluster.
How Southeast Asia Became the Scam Capital of the World
Inside China’s Rare Earth Empire: The Hidden Costs in Myanmar
Modi and the Mullahs: India’s Embrace of the Taliban
Podcasts
Asia Geopolitics
Don’t Call It a Deal Just Yet: South Korea to Pursue Nuclear-powered Submarines
There’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty as to what was actually agreed to.