The Asia Pacific in 2016: What to Expect
Table of Contents
As election day approaches, what’s behind the DPP’s rising popularity and the KMT’s stagnation?
The Indian Navy is trying to preserve its influence in increasingly contested waters.
The EEU’s first year has raised serious questions about its economic rationale, institutional effectiveness, and geopolitical underpinnings.
The most disturbing trend in the bilateral relationship was one that didn’t make the headlines.
The French philosopher’s theories on social control provide a helpful window into modern China.
There’s a logic to China’s urbanization scheme, but its social and cultural impacts are complex.
Xi Jinping doubles down on the controversial concept at the 2nd World Internet Conference.
The central government might have the plan, but it needs the provinces to execute it.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hopes to use changes to Japan’s tax code to boost economic growth.
Critics blame Park Geun-hye, but the truth is that South Korea has never had strong protections for free speech.
A year after the state secrets law passed, what impact is it having on freedom in Japan?
Can Park Geun-hye’s Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative (NAPCI) build trust in a tense region?
The UN is forcing the DPRK’s abysmal record higher up the international political agenda.
“We finally should declare all out war on Pakistan.“
More a year after the slaughter at Army Public School, where does Pakistan stand on terrorism?
If history is any indication, no.
There has been little mention of the region – and that’s unlikely to change.
Things can get a little tense on the idyllic Indian Ocean archipelago.
Will the Philippines ever finalize a new defense pact with the United States?
Rodrigo Duterte’s style is a stark contrast to incumbent president Benigno Aquino’s nice guy persona.
The Diplomat talks with Ng Shui Meng, the wife of disappeared Lao activist Sombath Somphone.
A big year for regional integration has been marred by troubling national corruption scandals.
As the country’s economic woes continue, the junta deserves its share of blame.
The Uzbek and Kazakh presidents have handled reputation-ruining corruption in very different ways.
A cosmodrome on the Kazakh steppe, operated by Russians, is humanity's last tether to manned spaceflight.
Human rights advocates and opposition figures tell a dark story of descent into crisis.
Always in sight, but always just beyond reach: Will Kashagan ever live up to expectations?
Moscow’s displeasure with Ankara is trickling into Central Asia, but to varying degrees in each capital.
The environmental and economic case for coal is becoming increasingly difficult to make.
Australia should have a role in a grand negotiated settlement.
A former deputy PM expresses frustration on U.S. gun control policy – and the alliance with Australia.
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster can now perform marriages in New Zealand.
Does Beijing or New Delhi have the advantage in terms of aircraft carriers?
Pyongyang’s missile failures must be seen for what they are – teething issues the Kim regime is determined to overcome.
The U.S. Navy’s traditional blue-water advantage in the Asia-Pacific is at risk. Japan can help.
Beijing is increasingly exploiting information operations for influence in areas of strategic competition.
With the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the hard part is over, but the harder part is yet to come.
The two countries look likely to strengthen ties in the energy sector.
Abe’s diplomatic successes are being constrained by his ideological leanings.
Vietnam’s capital is a hotbed of artistic expression.
Security threats on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway have drastically increased over the last few weeks.
“The Force, it’s calling to you. Just let it in.”