[{"_1":2,"_288":-5,"_289":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_286":287},"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","2016-03","path","/2016-03","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-KBfBkSEq_pavElZ8mcL","title","Narendra Modi: Time for a Reboot?","description","In this month’s cover story we look at the performance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who started his term with a bang but has had his electoral and legislative setbacks of late. We also consider the implications of the ongoing reforms to the Chinese military, review the outcomes of Vietnam’s Party Congress, and weigh the temptation for South Korea to develop nuclear weapons. And, of course, we offer a range of reporting, analysis and opinion from across the region.","masthead","

\nPublisher\nTrans-Asia Inc.
\n701 Ebisu MF Bldg.
\n4-6-1 Ebisu Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
\n150-0013, Japan\n

\nEditor\nJames Pach\n

\nTechnical & Design\nStefan Yanku\n

\nManaging Editor\nShannon Tiezzi\n

\nAssociate Editors\nAnkit Panda
\nPrashanth Parameswaran
\nFranz-Stefan Gady\n

\nSpecial Projects Editor\nCatherine Putz\n

\nEditorial Assistants\nBochen Han
\nRui Hao Puah\n

\nContributing Editors\nJin Kai
\nKerry Brown
\nElizabeth Economy
\nBo Zhiyue
\nXie Tao
\nDavid Volodzko
\nZheng Wang
\nCarl Thayer
\nHarsh V. Pant
\nRohan Joshi
\nDingding Chen
\nRobert Farley
\nGreg Austin
\nVan Jackson
\nLuke Hunt
\nMong Palatino
\nShawn Crispin
\nSteven Denney
\nJohn Power
\nCasey Michel
\nAkhilesh Pillalamarri
\nTaylor Dibbert
\nAnthony Fensom
\nSara Hsu
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nAngelica O. Tang
\nYuki Tatsumi
\nMina Pollmann
\nGraham Webster
\nBradley Jardine
\nMuhammad Akbar Notezai
\nTaylor Dibbert
\nLinda van der Horst
\nUmair Jamal\n

","number",16,"date","March 2016","month",3,"year",2016,"status","rdy","toc",[44,60,77,85,110,134,159,184,209,231,252,269],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"CVRS","priority",0,"Cover Story","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":59},"-KBfBmSqhuIXorlcEztb","lead","

India's dynamic prime minister needs to reboot his policy plans if he wants to achieve real progress.

","model","story","preview",1,"Modi: Time for a Reboot?",{"_24":61,"_46":58,"_26":62,"_49":63},"LDS","Leads",[64,68,72],{"_24":65,"_53":66,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":67},"-KBfBmStBhXj1mqzu5iU","

The implications of the recent large-scale restructuring of the PLA will take time to fully unfold.

","China’s Never-Ending Military Reforms",{"_24":69,"_53":70,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":71},"-KBfBmSv5Wo4eS7Bd9L9","

A tale of two goals: maintaining a monopoly of power and sustaining economic growth

","Vietnam’s 12th Party Congress",{"_24":73,"_53":74,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":76},"-KBfBmSzFZNRGO2gYpkm","

Should South Korea develop its own nuclear weapons capability?

",2,"South Korea’s Nuclear Temptation",{"_24":78,"_46":75,"_26":79,"_49":80},"INT","Interview",[81],{"_24":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":84},"-KBfBmT0wGLx4Tkutm5d","

Is “Distributed Lethality” the Future of Naval Surface Warfare?

","William J Parker III",{"_24":86,"_46":37,"_26":87,"_49":88},"CHN","China",[89,93,97,101,105],{"_24":90,"_53":91,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":92},"-KBfBmT3REiLZBA_xoas","

In many ways, the Belt and Road is a natural fit for ongoing Chinese engagement with African countries.

","A Silk Road to Africa",{"_24":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":96},"-KBfBmT5zi20EDLx37_j","

High pollution rates and changing lifestyles combine to make strokes an increasing danger for Chinese.

","China’s Silent Killer: Strokes",{"_24":98,"_53":99,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":100},"-KBfBmT9exxNl8aOb5g5","

In Hong Kong, fears over a lost identity are manifesting in very different ways.

","A Fishball Revolution and Umbrella Soldiers: The Battle for Hong Kong's Soul",{"_24":102,"_53":103,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":104},"-KBfBmTCp_udFdqPgqCq","

China’s private firms are going global – and, by doing so, raising China’s prestige on the world stage.

","China’s Private Sector Diplomacy",{"_24":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":109},"-KBfBmTGY_5zdeavIBtf","

Conspiracy theories about their rival’s devious plans have alarmingly large followings in the U.S. and China.

",4,"US-China Relations: In the Shadow of Conspiracy Theories",{"_24":111,"_46":108,"_26":112,"_49":113},"NEA","Northeast Asia",[114,118,122,126,130],{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-KBfBmTJQYPpxtKgTSXc","

Realizing sanctions and alliance-building aren’t enough, Japan looks to shore up its defenses.

","Japan’s Response to North Korea: Old Standbys and New Tricks",{"_24":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":121},"-KBfBmTLoM9w-pP2QRdG","

Filibuster aside, no one wants to come across as “soft on security.”

","Controversial Anti-Terrorism Bill Filibustered in South Korea",{"_24":123,"_53":124,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":125},"-KBfBmTOQdPRBTuF52V8","

The economic (and political) factors behind the Bank of Japan’s decision.

","What to Make of Japan's New Negative Interest Rate",{"_24":127,"_53":128,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":129},"-KBfBmTQ18xNStheVFrl","

It could be argued that more pervasive corruption is leading to new freedoms.

","The Other Side of Corruption in North Korea",{"_24":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":133},"-KBfBmTVMD_7T0SPvGk6","

The government has some work to do if it wants to win local support for nuclear power in the future.

","South Korea’s Nuclear Energy Future",{"_24":135,"_46":136,"_26":137,"_49":138},"SOA",5,"South Asia",[139,143,147,151,155],{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-KBfBmT_fplz6HO78Y51","

In a country where most of the power and development is concentrated in one provinces, tensions simmer.

","The Trouble with Punjabi Dominance in Pakistan",{"_24":144,"_53":145,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":146},"-KBfBmTcK6k6iZG5MldH","

Environmentalists are concerned about the nation’s secretive hydropower plans.

","Bhutan Should Come Clean on Hydropower Megaplan",{"_24":148,"_53":149,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":150},"-KBfBmTfhTXpx8b8uFlP","

In spite of the country’s recent democratic gains, problems continue to plague Sri Lanka’s Tamil-dominated Northern Province.

","Problems Continue to Plague Sri Lanka’s Northern Province",{"_24":152,"_53":153,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":154},"-KBfBmTicT8DP-f36Av8","

Why the prime minister’s plans for better sanitation may not work as hoped.

","Why Is ‘Clean India’ Losing Steam?",{"_24":156,"_53":157,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":158},"-KBfBmTkgxOkZxeGURF8","

That there were fewer civilian deaths in 2015 is little solace – overall casualties are still on the rise.

","No Good News: Afghan Civilian Casualties Still Increasing",{"_24":160,"_46":161,"_26":162,"_49":163},"SEA",6,"Southeast Asia",[164,168,172,176,180],{"_24":165,"_53":166,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-KBfBmTnpymgH9KBz9m1","

New Delhi says it is making progress in expanding economic ties with a key ASEAN neighbor.

","India, Myanmar Eye Expanded Border Trade",{"_24":169,"_53":170,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":171},"-KBfBmToLasNVBaxFUAS","

A look at what was accomplished at a historic meeting this week.

","What Did the US-ASEAN Sunnylands Summit Achieve?",{"_24":173,"_53":174,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":175},"-KBfBmTrF42Mw3O43tfD","

The legacy of People Power in the Philippines remains ambiguous.

","Philippine ‘People Power’ Thirty Years On",{"_24":177,"_53":178,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":179},"-KBfBmTuGQW-EsSiHY9u","

With oil prices dropping, the sultanate is rapidly approaching a crisis.

","Brunei’s Economy Running on Empty",{"_24":181,"_53":182,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":183},"-KBfBmTx0HzLMHNi8E6F","

There is growing evidence that the region’s economic prospects are dimming.

","Beware ASEAN’s Coming Economic Gloom",{"_24":185,"_46":186,"_26":187,"_49":188},"CEA",7,"Central Asia",[189,193,197,201,205],{"_24":190,"_53":191,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":192},"-KBfBmTzposF6JXHMFXD","

America’s Central Asia strategy doesn’t seem to be working, but there are few new ideas, either.

","Losing Patience with Strategic Patience",{"_24":194,"_53":195,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":196},"-KBfBmU-_kngsTRbjIYm","

One tribe’s pivotal battle has been coopted by Turkmenistan’s leaders to perpetuate a narrative of unity and legitimacy.

","Remembering the Battle of Geok Tepe",{"_24":198,"_53":199,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":200},"-KBfBmU2ViMs9ntX8zds","

Kazakhstan’s plan to privatize its state industries is ambitious, but it faces some major barriers.

","Can Kazakhstan’s Privatization Plan Succeed?",{"_24":202,"_53":203,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":204},"-KBfBmU6riCLMB_V4sep","

Beijing may not, after all, provide the economic deus ex machina Central Asian governments have hoped for.

","Can China Really Save Central Asian Economies?",{"_24":206,"_53":207,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":208},"-KBfBmU9mh_ZViUhp_xK","

Noah Tucker argues that religious freedom – as a policy – is simply the best counter to ISIS messaging efforts.

","How to Fight ISIS Messaging in Central Asia? Religious Freedom.",{"_24":210,"_46":211,"_26":212,"_49":213},"OCE",8,"Oceania",[214,218,222,226],{"_24":215,"_53":216,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":217},"-KBfBmUBNmV9dP8Cr6MJ","

The Australian prime minister’s cautious policy approach is backfiring.

","Malcolm Turnbull Bumps Up Against Political Realities",{"_24":219,"_53":220,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":221},"-KBfBmUCmcXyzOD1Adq3","

Time for a new U.S. policy for the Pacific.

","Epilogue to the South Pacific Tuna Treaty",{"_24":223,"_53":224,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":225},"-KBfBmUEXHdEprhWiply","

Julie Bishop is challenged on defense ties with Japan and the South China Sea during her visit to Beijing.

","Australia's Foreign Minister Gets Chilly Welcome in China",{"_24":227,"_53":228,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":229,"_26":230},"-KBfBmUFezyrmhmEuA28","

The end of the Compact of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia would have serious repercussions.

","rvw","America’s Micronesia Problem",{"_24":232,"_46":233,"_26":234,"_49":235},"SCR",9,"Security",[236,240,244,248],{"_24":237,"_53":238,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":239},"-KBfBmVvnSbJi1vSA8GZ","

The withdrawal of the Soviet 40th Army from Afghanistan in 1988-1989 was a well-coordinated and militarily successful operation, save one mistake.

","The Soviet Withdrawal From Afghanistan: Anatomy of a Successful Disengagement?",{"_24":241,"_53":242,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":243},"-KBfBmW1J0lNiAQInDxH","

After the U.S. FONOPs, how long can China get away with “enforcing” claims it hasn’t made?

","80 Percent of Zero: China’s Phantom South China Sea Claims",{"_24":245,"_53":246,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":247},"-KBfBmW62MSQN0iaX7dQ","

The International Fleet Review highlighted the growing importance of naval power to India’s geopolitical vision.

","The Indian Navy’s 2016 International Fleet Review",{"_24":249,"_53":250,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":251},"-KBfBmW7HMgBvVGwPd59","

From the details, it appears the main concern is regulating civilian drone flights.

","Meet the Chinese Air Force's New Drone-Tracking Unit",{"_24":253,"_46":254,"_26":255,"_49":256},"DPL",10,"Diplomacy",[257,261,265],{"_24":258,"_53":259,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":260},"-KBfBmWB8Zk41TjMkmNO","

India’s window on seizing the strategic overture of the Chabahar seaport may be closing. It must act diplomatically to lock in its gains.

","A Long Overdue Diplomatic Port Call",{"_24":262,"_53":263,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":264},"-KBfBmWCRyoh2iqLllVM","

For Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, China is an important investor and possible regional stabilizer.

","China in the Caucasus",{"_24":266,"_53":267,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-KBfBmWEyx2mH2a4jQca","

Should we think of “One Belt, One Road” as China’s Marshall Plan?

","How China's 'Belt and Road' Compares to the Marshall Plan",{"_24":270,"_46":271,"_26":272,"_49":273},"ASL",11,"Asia Life",[274,278,282],{"_24":275,"_53":276,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":277},"-KBfBmWM0nXphh7E9LDy","

Poetry often has a role to play in India’s Lok Sabha.

","The Poetry of Indian Politics",{"_24":279,"_53":280,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":281},"-KBfBmWNUZmqCgzmjUS4","

Which songs does South Korea choose to broadcast across the border?

","K-Popaganda on the Korean Border",{"_24":283,"_53":284,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":285},"-KBfBmWOd8bgASO2TpND","

An American gamer has cultivated a following in Taiwan by tweaking mainland Chinese players with the phrase “Taiwan #1.”

","'Taiwan #1': Online Gaming Meets Cross-Strait Relations","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]