[{"_1":2,"_291":-5,"_292":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_289":290},"root",{"_5":6,"_14":15},"fb",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":8},"apiKey","AIzaSyAdxqOaB63feHHqSm_nZCKsSHpSAcxkct8","authDomain","thediplomat.firebaseapp.com","projectId","firebase-thediplomat","appId","ga",true,"routes/$issue",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"slug","2015-04","path","/2015-04","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-JlDLbr2iEg4j_MEdF-n","title","The Rebalance: Still on Track","description","In this issue, we look at the status of the vaunted U.S. rebalance to Asia, explain why Malaysia’s post-Anwar political future could be bleak, examine the evolving China-India relationship, and consider the fate of the mighty Mekong. We also offer extensive reporting, analysis and commentary on events from around the region.","masthead","","number",5,"date","April 2015","month",4,"year",2015,"status","rdy","toc",[44,60,77,85,110,134,158,183,208,229,250,271],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"-JlDNQFznD5QoNHu3K6d","priority",0,"Cover Story","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":59},"-JlDNS9CeBQw-OKvgTCx","lead","

The Asia-Pacific rebalance is the most strategically significant and perpetually misunderstood foreign policy initiative of the Obama presidency.

","model","story","preview",1,"America’s Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific: On Course, On Speed",{"_24":61,"_46":58,"_26":62,"_49":63},"-JlEexqNR431hcta6PW8","Leads",[64,68,72],{"_24":65,"_53":66,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":67},"-JlEez50gQ0DPWtAOcWQ","

As the opposition leader sits in prison, a shadow looms overs Malaysian politics both at home and abroad.

","Post-Anwar: Malaysia’s Gloomy Future",{"_24":69,"_53":70,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":71},"-JlJwZwEx9fPGeU7v3bG","

The election of Narendra Modi last year has brought some noticeable changes to relations between Asia’s two great powers.

","An Evolution in China-India Relations?",{"_24":73,"_53":74,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":76},"-JlJ0KTcJ2LmLZWaO59s","

The Mekong is a lifeline for 60 million people. But the region’s hunger for affordable energy is threatening traditional livelihoods and a unique biodiversity.

",2,"Change on the Mighty Mekong",{"_24":78,"_46":75,"_26":79,"_49":80},"-JleFfF4SReDHpmmy1JC","Interview",[81],{"_24":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":84},"-JleFvkrtFl7B59-j76F","

A new book collects the work of contemporary Afghan women poets.

","Farzana Marie",{"_24":86,"_46":87,"_26":88,"_49":89},"-JlK2hEHyQjz7z5redMC",3,"China",[90,94,98,102,106],{"_24":91,"_53":92,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":93},"-JlK2kpdcWNJysY-8a6W","

CCP leaders are eager to reiterate that their reform and anti-corruption plans will not sink China’s economy.

","What the CCP Wants You to Watch for in 2015",{"_24":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":97},"-JlK7mnHbay9StC9PN9c","

Xi’s vision for governing China merges two classic Chinese philosophies: Han Feizi’s legalism and the mandates of ritual and morality taught by Confucius.

","China’s Guiding Philosophy",{"_24":99,"_53":100,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":101},"-JlKKg3q9BfUgeCHI_br","

The country’s one-child policy has created an astonishing number of unregistered children.

","China’s Hidden Children",{"_24":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":105},"-JlKX9EPWLK8lHVTbW_F","

The Chinese party-state is certainly facing decay – but so are most Western democracies.

","Why Do People Keep Predicting China's Collapse?",{"_24":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":109},"-JlKlPAqbdHnH0erURCM","

The first trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in nearly three years included a major emphasis on history.

","History Debate on Display at Rare China-Japan-South Korea Meeting",{"_24":111,"_46":37,"_26":112,"_49":113},"-JlODIArAhBlIfsDzOVs","Northeast Asia",[114,118,122,126,130],{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-JlODuBj9zDpA-OrWZxW","

From the TPP to Okinawa, the upcoming summit between the Japanese prime minister and U.S. president will have a full agenda.

","What Will Abe Bring to Washington?",{"_24":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":121},"-JlOJN88KnWJKmmLeeWO","

Four upcoming by-elections could be make or break for Korea’s party of the left, the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, and its leader.

","April By-Elections a Big Test for South Korea’s NPAD",{"_24":123,"_53":124,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":125},"-JlON8_ZhvrjOv5HYsfu","

Angela Merkel’s visit to Japan has reignited the old comparisons of Japan and Germany’s postwar actions.

","What Can Japan Really Learn From Germany?",{"_24":127,"_53":128,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":129},"-JlOhzhtb5YboycfiV9M","

South Korea must solve its deep-rooted gender bias problem.

","South Korea: Home to OECD's Thickest 'Glass Ceiling'",{"_24":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":133},"-JlOp8cSu4lmx7rTboUJ","

Why don’t we hear much about Taiwan in Washington D.C. anymore?

","Is Taiwan out of Vogue in Washington DC?",{"_24":135,"_46":33,"_26":136,"_49":137},"-JlOvjUhOJqROvTPiFPb","South Asia",[138,142,146,150,154],{"_24":139,"_53":140,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":141},"-JlOwRZA-ftndgbHQsWo","

India is caught between its agrarian heritage and the promises of development.

","Two Visions for India’s Future",{"_24":143,"_53":144,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":145},"-JlP6eOw74nShW1hHrve","

Afghanistan’s leaders are working hard to repair their country’s damaged relationship with the U.S.

","Repairing a Partnership",{"_24":147,"_53":148,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":149},"-JlPDUkANrt9131Ipwya","

Pakistan is trying to combat terrorist organizations online, with mixed results.

","Fighting Terrorism on Social Media",{"_24":151,"_53":152,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":153},"-JlPL22x-J_5Nv_RQaJW","

After last week’s arrests of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders, political violence could surge in Karachi.

","Pakistan’s Biggest City Crippled by Politics",{"_24":155,"_53":156,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":157},"-JlPKyuUitKmuQ9lfP7s","

The country may have fallen in the rankings, but is freedom of information really on the decline?

","Is Bhutan’s Media Freedom Really Slipping?",{"_24":159,"_46":160,"_26":161,"_49":162},"-JlPVqPglK2aqApnuo8s",6,"Southeast Asia",[163,167,171,175,179],{"_24":164,"_53":165,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":166},"-JlPW_bMf1kvjrqMMEs_","

Falling commodities prices represent both a crisis and an opportunity for Indonesia.

","The Commodities Price Collapse and Indonesia’s Economy",{"_24":168,"_53":169,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":170},"-Jlc29NRFiHHqTKwx_BS","

Manila and Beijing have a long way to go to improve their troubled relations.

","Why China and the Philippines Won’t Reconcile Anytime Soon",{"_24":172,"_53":173,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":174},"-Jlc87hrX6RZJS1YDON3","

Singapore’s founding prime minister has died. What was his legacy?

","How Do We Remember Lee Kuan Yew?",{"_24":176,"_53":177,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":178},"-JlcFhHbiD2WFbrcIVBV","

In abandoning its democratic ideals, the country risks a return to a pre-modern era.

","Thailand’s Big Step Backwards",{"_24":180,"_53":181,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":182},"-JlcK5Cg0yed6QvwQ0a6","

Every year, Indonesians flock abroad dreaming of opportunity. For many, the reality is harsh.

","Indonesia’s Migrant Workers: Dreams and Tears",{"_24":184,"_46":185,"_26":186,"_49":187},"-JlcRxi9p27id0R5B_Uh",7,"Central Asia",[188,192,196,200,204],{"_24":189,"_53":190,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":191},"-JlcSK0xr35sm4U9sKEZ","

Although it originated the idea of the Eurasian Economic Union, Astana has hardly benefited from its creation.

","Kazakhstan’s Eurasian Union Gloom",{"_24":193,"_53":194,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":195},"-JlcW3wS3sffO7n569MC","

Despite two popular revolutions in ten years, Kyrgyzstan is no closer to capitalizing on its much touted democratic potential.

","Stalled Progress in Kyrgyzstan",{"_24":197,"_53":198,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":199},"-Jlcc2-7Fbd5CjbE3MdY","

With loans from the World Bank and the ADB, Tajikistan strengthens its infrastructure.

","International Lenders Bet on Tajikistan",{"_24":201,"_53":202,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":203},"-JlcfTC1vgA7vM6sD2Fp","

Kazakhstan’s president will run one more time, but indicated that it’s time for a change.

","Kazakhstan: One Last Time for Nazarbayev",{"_24":205,"_53":206,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":207},"-JlcjdsONHOXCSvFWKD3","

Central Asian governments have faced some difficult choices in responding to Russian revanchism.

","Russia, Crimea and Central Asia",{"_24":209,"_46":210,"_26":211,"_49":212},"-JlcnbUtkX28DzliW5pq",8,"Oceania",[213,217,221,225],{"_24":214,"_53":215,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":216},"-Jld5bOjW8hsDtcjYFXL","

Falling prices are putting the squeeze on Australia’s major iron ore producers.

","Iron Ore’s War of Attrition",{"_24":218,"_53":219,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":220},"-Jld9krvrKfrYnfjUtE4","

The prime minister has been a staunch supporter of Indigenous rights. That makes his recent remarks all the more baffling.

","Abbott Confuses on Indigenous Australians",{"_24":222,"_53":223,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":224},"-JldDwuBQ7cvUbptDc6P","

Under a new coalition government, the Pacific state has a chance to adopt much-needed reforms.

","Can the Solomon Islands Reform?",{"_24":226,"_53":227,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":228},"-JldL-lpMWgEgjE6u89i","

Revelations emerge that New Zealand has been spying on friendly neighbors.

","New Zealand: Spying for the Club",{"_24":230,"_46":231,"_26":232,"_49":233},"-JldPePSG9L27mrfH8hn",9,"Security",[234,238,242,246],{"_24":235,"_53":236,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":237},"-JldQBLBS4IV0MrS1eT1","

More aggressive defense approaches in cyberspace promise to test bilateral relations.

","Active Cyber Defense and the Sino-US Relationship",{"_24":239,"_53":240,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":241},"-JldWXp8MO44ioKw8M4K","

Defense ministers met in Malaysia in March to discuss disaster relief, the Islamic State, and the South China Sea.

","ASEAN Moves Forward on Regional Security Proposals",{"_24":243,"_53":244,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":245},"-Jld_A5hE1f1I5B08HDT","

What Japan is doing is clear. Why it is doing it is much more complex.

","Is Japan's Militarization Normal?",{"_24":247,"_53":248,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":249},"-JlddQOng4-kDPBzvQhh","

Pentagon officials are deeply worried about Chinese and Russian anti-satellite weapons. Are their concerns justified?

","Is the Pentagon Losing the Arms Race in Space?",{"_24":251,"_46":252,"_26":253,"_49":254},"-JldgaFJaL86i2rBXLP1",10,"Diplomacy",[255,259,263,267],{"_24":256,"_53":257,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":258},"-JldhIx5iCw-EgRpIG0E","

In delivering his speech commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Abe’s tone will matter most.

","70 Years After the War, What Should Abe Say?",{"_24":260,"_53":261,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":262},"-JldnveZikjWe8unjPC-","

Modi’s recent tour of the Indian Ocean Region certainly indicates an Indian desire to serve as the region’s custodian.

","Is the Indian Ocean India’s Ocean?",{"_24":264,"_53":265,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":266},"-Jldrdcvdth_veiytV26","

The organization’s significance is in question during a critical year.

","Is ASEAN Still Relevant?",{"_24":268,"_53":269,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":270},"-Jldw21jqMHxlwTNekJZ","

The foreign ministers of China, Japan, and South Korea suggested that the long-stalled leaders’ summit could be back on.

","China, Japan, South Korea May Resume Leaders' Summit",{"_24":272,"_46":273,"_26":274,"_49":275},"-JldzXepxC-jBJhhWR_E",11,"Asia Life",[276,280,285],{"_24":277,"_53":278,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":279},"-Jldz_Dkuex88Cm7KHGw","

For decades after U Thant’s death his house in Yangon was left to rot, but memory of Asia’s first UN secretary-general is now being restored.

","U Thant’s House",{"_24":281,"_53":282,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":283,"_26":284},"-Jle3Zq6wEbI3TnmODhT","

Forty years after being decimated by the Khmer Rouge, the local film industry is making a stir on the international stage.

","drf","Cambodia: Dawn of a New Cinematic Golden Era",{"_24":286,"_53":287,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":288},"-JleBkCiBSKe5QckQGKG","

A new tourist bus company is setting out to reboot culture in an exhausted country.

","Reclaiming Pakistan, One City at a Time","routes/$issue.masthead",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]

Masthead