[{"_1":2,"_286":-5,"_287":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_284":285},"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","2016-09","path","/2016-09","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-KQ4RF_XHukDtau2STKL","title","Pollution Like Snow: A Mongolian Winter","description","Welcome to the September 2016 issue of The Diplomat. This month, we take a hard look at the choking smog that descends on Ulaanbaatar each winter, as well as the consequences for Mongolians. We also explore how Najib Razak is defying “political physics” in Malaysia, unravel the mysteries of China’s Strategic Support Force, and examine the state of the Silk Road Economic Belt ahead of its three year anniversary. 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

\nPublisher\nJames Pach\n

\nEditor\nShannon Tiezzi\n

\nTechnical & Design\nStefan Yanku
\nPakpoom Fungtaweesrivilai\n

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

\nSpecial Projects Editor\nCatherine Putz\n

\nEditorial Assistants\nPeter Bittner\n

\nContributing Editors\nJin Kai
\nKerry Brown
\nElizabeth Economy
\nXie Tao
\nDavid Volodzko
\nZheng Wang
\nCal Wong
\nCarl Thayer
\nHarsh V. Pant
\nRohan Joshi
\nDingding Chen
\nRobert Farley
\nGreg Austin
\nLuke Hunt
\nMong Palatino
\nShawn W. Crispin
\nJohn Power
\nCasey Michel
\nAkhilesh Pillalamarri
\nTaylor Dibbert
\nAnthony Fensom
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nYuki Tatsumi
\nMina Pollmann
\nMuhammad Akbar Notezai
\nLinda van der Horst
\nUmair Jamal
\nBen Lowsen
\nElaine Ramirez
\nGrant Wyeth
\nDavid Gitter
\nHelen Clark\n

","number",22,"date","September 2016","month",9,"year",2016,"status","rdy","toc",[44,59,76,84,110,134,159,184,209,230,250,267],{"_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":27},"-KQ4RGQtYvmsA6OySybT","lead","

Mongolia’s true wintertime foe isn’t the cold or the snow, it’s the horrendous air pollution in Ulaanbaatar.

","model","story","preview",1,{"_24":60,"_46":58,"_26":61,"_49":62},"LDS","Leads",[63,67,71],{"_24":64,"_53":65,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":66},"-KQ4RGRx6NFuvzJuie3W","

“You can bend the rules of political physics in Malaysia, not forever but for awhile.”

","Najib Razak and the Neverending 1MDB Scandal",{"_24":68,"_53":69,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":70},"-KQ4RGRzFTDDBsjMtYEZ","

With the creation of the SSF, China’s reorganized military hopes to foster integrated joint operations capabilities.

","The Secrets of China’s Strategic Support Force",{"_24":72,"_53":73,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":75},"-KQ4RGS2k72uoawCzr4Z","

A look at the successes and complications of Xi’s signature project.

",2,"3 Years on, Where Does China’s Silk Road Stand?",{"_24":77,"_46":74,"_26":78,"_49":79},"INT","Interview",[80],{"_24":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-KQ4RGS7LdLybcMr0xJd","

The U.S. and North Korea need to work on reuniting divided Korean American families, before it’s too late.

","Jason Ahn",{"_24":85,"_46":86,"_26":87,"_49":88},"CHN",3,"China",[89,93,97,101,105],{"_24":90,"_53":91,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":92},"-KQ4RGSAr02MXhYDnhYw","

100 days into the Tsai presidency, cross-strait relations are not as frozen as Beijing would have the world believe.

","Are Cross-Strait Communications Really Dead?",{"_24":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":96},"-KQ4RGSDBmm9q_soYGMM","

Eight years after the city embraced the Beijing Olympics, Hong Kong’s attitude toward Team China has changed.

","Olympic Sized Changes to Hong Kong’s Patriotism",{"_24":98,"_53":99,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":100},"-KQ4RGSG_Z3ZVeUOxjB5","

China’s space program is venturing beyond simply seeking prestige and status.

","China's Unique Space Ambitions",{"_24":102,"_53":103,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":104},"-KQ4RGSJjI1M9gkAVfqU","

China’s role in Afghanistan is constructive, but not decisive.

","What to Make of China's Latest Meeting With the Taliban",{"_24":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":109},"-KQ4RGSK9X2DEOpjsNXU","

As part of a focus on transitional justice, Tsai Ing-wen formally apologized for “four centuries of pain and mistreatment.”

",4,"Taiwan's President Offers Apology to Indigenous People",{"_24":111,"_46":108,"_26":112,"_49":113},"NEA","Northeast Asia",[114,118,122,126,130],{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-KQ4RGSO7TP4eX3y3Rru","

There weren’t many changes, but those that did occur hint at what’s next in Japanese politics.

","Shinzo Abe’s New Cabinet",{"_24":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":121},"-KQ4RGSShTWghrqLqXPX","

Why the megachurch continues to thrive in South Korea, defying trends elsewhere.

","South Korea’s Megachurches",{"_24":123,"_53":124,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":125},"-KQ4RGSURPhpbXQ5fzkA","

With four years to go, Tokyo still has hurdles to clear to host the perfect Olympic Games.

","Goodbye Rio, Hello Tokyo: The Outlook for the 2020 Olympics",{"_24":127,"_53":128,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":129},"-KQ4RGSWq3BcGSsfQ8tY","

South Koreans are gearing up for a fight against THAAD.

","Democratic Deficit and Missile Defense in South Korea",{"_24":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":133},"-KQ4RGSXe2m0FoYmcWoR","

North Korea’s space agency reveals plans for a lunar mission by 2026.

","North Korea's Kim Jong-un Aims for the Moon",{"_24":135,"_46":136,"_26":137,"_49":138},"SOA",5,"South Asia",[139,143,147,151,155],{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-KQ4RGTXZfyiwHVHZdvj","

Heightened tensions in 2016 are the product of a long history of social and political instability in the Kashmir valley.

","Finding Peace in Kashmir",{"_24":144,"_53":145,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":146},"-KQ4RGT_KWyvKLHkkwKz","

Optimism for India-China relations was high when Modi took office. Those hopes have long since faded.

","India and China: Asia's Uneasy Neighbors",{"_24":148,"_53":149,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":150},"-KQ4RGTb_pvYzjKDifqG","

Nepal’s new prime minister faces a host of internal and external challenges.

","An Uphill Climb for Nepal's Prachanda",{"_24":152,"_53":153,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":154},"-KQ4RGTeSAKPsjru_lFA","

A closer look at the 10,000 ghost madrassas in Sindh province.

","Unraveling the Mystery of Pakistan's 'Ghost Madrassas'",{"_24":156,"_53":157,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":158},"-KQ4RGTgPO1cipt4zzXt","

Investments in Afghanistan’s education sector are paying real dividends for its people.

","A Rare Success Story in Afghanistan: Education",{"_24":160,"_46":161,"_26":162,"_49":163},"SEA",6,"Southeast Asia",[164,168,172,176,180],{"_24":165,"_53":166,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-KQ4RGTj2CnrG95F_i4c","

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Manila set the stage for relations with the new Philippine president.

","Japan-Philippine Relations Enter the Duterte Era",{"_24":169,"_53":170,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":171},"-KQ4RGTlcPBPw0DfzUYi","

The Burmese military and China could derail Aung San Suu Kyi’s peace plans.

","Spoilers Aplenty for Suu Kyi’s Peace Process",{"_24":173,"_53":174,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":175},"-KQ4RGTn52dM0vih9CqW","

After facing a long drought, Cambodian farmers now fear the arrival of La Niña and possible floods.

","Desperate Times for Cambodia's Farmers",{"_24":177,"_53":178,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":179},"-KQ4RGTo6zAjmqtwkMjr","

As Indonesia celebrates its independence, it is worth considering where it has been and where it is going.

","Indonesia at 71: Ups and Downs of a Democratic Giant",{"_24":181,"_53":182,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":183},"-KQ4RGTrWjyzKKsL4T-1","

Despite the approval of the Thai charter, its content remains worrying.

","Thailand's New Constitution: A Blow to Rights?",{"_24":185,"_46":186,"_26":187,"_49":188},"CEA",7,"Central Asia",[189,193,197,201,205],{"_24":190,"_53":191,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":192},"-KQ4RGTuDUDlamB9ZP7u","

Kazakhstan has asked Russia to return of the skulls of two of its national heroes.

","A Hero’s Head and the Last Khan’s Skull",{"_24":194,"_53":195,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":196},"-KQ4RGTx41aPCv1UVKtv","

Despite its problems, Kyrgyzstan may be Central Asia’s most stable state. Here’s why.

","Kyrgyzstan: Corrupt, Anarchic – and Stable?",{"_24":198,"_53":199,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":200},"-KQ4RGU1r9fO2IVnTOyN","

Researchers say Kazakhstan, using an Indian security company, has carried its pursuit of opponents from the physical realm into the digital.

","Kazakhstan Hacks Back: Operation Manul and Astana’s Pursuit of Dissidents",{"_24":202,"_53":203,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":204},"-KQ4RGU3Oja0x-fCniVx","

Washington’s trade with Central Asia experienced a drastic drop in 2015 and recovery prospects look dim.

","The Unsurprising Doldrums of US-Central Asia Trade",{"_24":206,"_53":207,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":108,"_40":41,"_26":208},"-KQ4RGU4pB4ZYFufdXFR","

A crackdown in Tajikistan has led to a little noticed surge in Tajik asylum seekers in Europe — particularly Poland.

","The Quiet Tajik Refugee Crisis",{"_24":210,"_46":211,"_26":212,"_49":213},"OCE",8,"Oceania",[214,218,222,226],{"_24":215,"_53":216,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":217},"-KQ4RGU6VkWbjLbnf2ig","

In 30 minutes, a wave of DDoS attacks crashed Canberra’s hopes for a quick, easy, online census.

","Australia’s Census Fail",{"_24":219,"_53":220,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":221},"-KQ4RGU7c-8DFGB3UW8I","

China has harsh words for Canberra’s response to the recent South China Sea ruling.

","China and Australia: Claws Out for a Paper Cat",{"_24":223,"_53":224,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":225},"-KQ4RGU8F3G_bF-EW-km","

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s attempt to clear Parliament’s crossbench of small parties and independents failed.

","How Did Turnbull’s Double Dissolution Gamble Backfire?",{"_24":227,"_53":228,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":229},"-KQ4RGU9gOFP9dHtZFpg","

Time to find an alternative to Australia’s offshore detention centers.

","What Will Happen to Australia's Detained Asylum Seekers?",{"_24":231,"_46":37,"_26":232,"_49":233},"SCR","Security",[234,238,242,246],{"_24":235,"_53":236,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":237},"-KQ4RGj792T6wki0AeXp","

What’s the status of the Indian Army’s main battle tank force?

","India’s Tank Force: Ready for War?",{"_24":239,"_53":240,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":241},"-KQ4RGjBhq0Rg6Nq_8A9","

Potential (mis)use of military robotic technology in East Asia’s maritime conflicts is enormous.

","Unmanned Systems and Manned Conflict in East Asia",{"_24":243,"_53":244,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":245},"-KQ4RGjJ-Rzv_G1BYzT4","

We need to be clear-eyed about both progress made and the challenges that remain.

","Beware the Illusion of China-ASEAN South China Sea Breakthroughs",{"_24":247,"_53":248,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":249},"-KQ4RGjMk5wgSNX4JeNe","

U.S. aerial bombs did little to further overall strategic objectives.

","How US Aerial Bombing During the Vietnam War Backfired",{"_24":251,"_46":252,"_26":253,"_49":254},"DPL",10,"Diplomacy",[255,259,263],{"_24":256,"_53":257,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":258},"-KQ4RGkUcjowloGA121O","

How might Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump sustain or dismantle the legacy of the U.S. rebalance to Asia?

","The Rebalance After Obama",{"_24":260,"_53":261,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":262},"-KQ4RGkWzaIEq30kAxd-","

North Korean “guest workers” in Kuwait are a crucial source of hard currency for the Kim regime.

","In Kuwait, a North Korean Economic Lifeline Comes Under Pressure",{"_24":264,"_53":265,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":266},"-KQ4RGk_1jgHSNdi-V16","

A surprise spying revelation may push a decision by Theresa May’s new government.

","UK-China Ties Put to the Test Over Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Project",{"_24":268,"_46":269,"_26":270,"_49":271},"ASL",11,"Asia Life",[272,276,280],{"_24":273,"_53":274,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":275},"-KQ4RGkjQiF1Ty-VotVi","

An unlikely story of a Polish painter who worked for three Indian kings.

","Stefan Norblin: The Indian Maharajas’ Polish Painter",{"_24":277,"_53":278,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":279},"-KQ4RGkk8TfEyxjBp1Wg","

China has come to dominate the art and antiquities market. Now it must take up the burden of protecting these treasures.

","The Potential Dark Side of China's Art and Antiquities Boom",{"_24":281,"_53":282,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":74,"_40":41,"_26":283},"-KQ4RGkk8TfEyxjBp1Wh","

The art and slogans found on Indian trucks are receiving growing attention.

","Awes-truck: Indian Trucks Ride to Fame","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]