[{"_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","2016-12","path","/2016-12","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-KXO3qZoWmquYIufy57E","title","Goodbye, Obama","description","Welcome to the December 2016 issue of The Diplomat. This month, we look back at the legacy of U.S. President Barack Obama’s “pivot to Asia.” We also preview the politicking to come before China’s 19th Party Congress, remember Kazakhstan’s 25 years as an independent state, and take a closer look at “Womenomics” in Japan. And, of course, we offer a range of reporting, analysis, and opinion from across the region.","masthead","

\n Publisher\n Trans-Asia Inc.
\n 701 Ebisu MF Bldg.
\n 4-6-1 Ebisu Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
\n 150-0013, Japan\n

\n Publisher\n James Pach\n

\n Editor\n Shannon Tiezzi\n

\n Senior Editor\n Ankit Panda\n

\n Technical & Design\n Stefan Yanku\n

\n Associate Editors\n Prashanth Parameswaran
\n Franz-Stefan Gady\n

\n Special Projects Editor\n Catherine Putz\n

\n Editorial Assistants\n Ling Han\n

\n Contributing Editors\n Jin Kai
\n Kerry Brown
\n Xie Tao
\n David Volodzko
\n Zheng Wang
\n Cal Wong
\n Carl Thayer
\n Harsh V. Pant
\n Rohan Joshi
\n Dingding Chen
\n Robert Farley
\n Greg Austin
\n Luke Hunt
\n Mong Palatino
\n Shawn W. Crispin
\n John Power
\n Casey Michel
\n Akhilesh Pillalamarri
\n Taylor Dibbert
\n Anthony Fensom
\n Mercy A. Kuo
\n Yuki Tatsumi
\n Mina Pollmann
\n Muhammad Akbar Notezai
\n Linda van der Horst
\n Umair Jamal
\n Ben Lowsen
\n Elaine Ramirez
\n Grant Wyeth
\n David Gitter
\n Helen Clark
\n Steven Stashwick
\n Jeff M. Smith\n

","number",25,"date","December 2016","month",12,"year",2016,"status","rdy","toc",[44,60,77,85,111,135,160,185,210,231,252,269],{"_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},"-KXO3xaGnJAIrVAkMfza","lead","

Obama’s signature foreign policy initiative is in (largely homegrown) trouble.

","model","story","preview",1,"The Pivot, Past And Future",{"_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},"-KXO3xayysVJEliaX1M7","

Next year’s Congress will do far more than determine China’s next leaders. It will decide the fate of the Communist Party itself.

","New Hopes, Old Fears: China’s 19th Party Congress",{"_24":69,"_53":70,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":71},"-KXO3xb-S0UlHdg7H7Va","

The last Soviet republic to declare independence has come a long way since 1991, but challenges remain.

","Kazakhstan at 25",{"_24":73,"_53":74,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":76},"-KXO3xb2yxjnGLnQDTCS","

Improving women's political and economic participation will be central to preserving Japan's status as a global heavyweight.

",2,"Women Will Save Japan",{"_24":78,"_46":75,"_26":79,"_49":80},"INT","Interview",[81],{"_24":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":84},"-KXO3xb4_c8wwWG_cBp6","

\"Choi-gate\" is a perfect storm scandal. What can we expect next in South Korean politics?

","Victor Cha",{"_24":86,"_46":87,"_26":88,"_49":89},"CHN",3,"China",[90,94,98,102,106],{"_24":91,"_53":92,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":93},"-KXO3xb6V6PHM7LtliNI","

Trump’s rhetoric on climate change sets U.S.-China cooperation back to the early 2000s, with an ironic role reversal.

","An End to US-China Climate Change Diplomacy?",{"_24":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":97},"-KXO3xb9utF52xD88xAe","

China’s intervention in a controversy involving two new legislators threatens the future of Hong Kong’s autonomy.

","Beijing Votes Against Hong Kong’s Judicial Independence",{"_24":99,"_53":100,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":101},"-KXO3xbCuRTe0gYiFtP1","

China’s rapidly growing UAV industry is eyeing a new sector: agriculture.

","Increasing China's Food Supply – With Drones",{"_24":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":105},"-KXO3xbFo-vy-HCkies1","

Domestic struggles, not cross-strait relations, are contributing to Tsai Ing-wen’s falling approval ratings.

","Taiwan's Biggest Problems Are at Home",{"_24":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":109,"_40":41,"_26":110},"-KXO3xbHcwEVRqpXOKvL","

Can China keep up its growth and deliver on its “harmony” pact with the Chinese people?

",4,"Evaluating China's Economy",{"_24":112,"_46":109,"_26":113,"_49":114},"NEA","Northeast Asia",[115,119,123,127,131],{"_24":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":118},"-KXO3xbJj7Mh48soNLq_","

Japan has a high stake in Trump revisiting his views on some of the policy positions he held as a candidate.

","What Does President Trump Mean for Japan?",{"_24":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":122},"-KXO3xbLHUkxOWxrLbOw","

Cronyism is deeply embedded both in government structures and the culture of public-private relationships..

","Will South Korea’s Corruption Scandal Finally Spark Reform?",{"_24":124,"_53":125,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":126},"-KXO3xbPRU-tSFOuOEKx","

With South Korea beset by scandal and Trump headed to the White House, where does that leave the U.S.-ROK alliance?

","South Korea Fears Trump Wild Card on Pyongyang",{"_24":128,"_53":129,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":130},"-KXO3xbTF8VnCTt3sIrX","

A look at the challenges faced by Chinese migrant workers in Japan’s construction industry.

","Japan's Migrant Worker Conundrum",{"_24":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":109,"_40":41,"_26":134},"-KXO3xbW_X3R-kqTGbmU","

Lessons from the Agreed Framework show the International Atomic Energy Agency must play a key role in any deal.

","Is a Nuclear Freeze an Option for North Korea?",{"_24":136,"_46":137,"_26":138,"_49":139},"SOA",5,"South Asia",[140,144,148,152,156],{"_24":141,"_53":142,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":143},"-KXO3xb_0ZUZN63TR6sE","

If executed well, the demonetization scheme could help push Indians toward the formal (and digital) economy.

","The Politics and Sense of India’s Currency Ban",{"_24":145,"_53":146,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":147},"-KXO3xbc8w0u-3nYgoFC","

A look at the hopes and fears surrounding the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

","CPEC: Boon or Bane for Pakistan?",{"_24":149,"_53":150,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":151},"-KXO3xbdRE-s0Q99nH-O","

Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran have a long history of conflict over scarce water resources.

","Afghanistan’s Water-Sharing Puzzle",{"_24":153,"_53":154,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":155},"-KXO3xbfvncGBISAby6M","

Nepal’s Constitution ensures 33 percent of parliamentary seats are reserved for women.

","Nepal Leads South Asia in Women's Political Representation",{"_24":157,"_53":158,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":109,"_40":41,"_26":159},"-KXO3xbg3V3pBVzp04Fl","

Colombo is realizing the unintended strategic consequences of closer ties with Beijing.

","China and Sri Lanka: Between a Dream and a Nightmare",{"_24":161,"_46":162,"_26":163,"_49":164},"SEA",6,"Southeast Asia",[165,169,173,177,181],{"_24":166,"_53":167,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":168},"-KXO3xbiZtRAIW3Fh_zw","

Positive signs emerge from Najib-Duterte summit.

","Malaysia and the Philippines: Beyond Karaoke Diplomacy",{"_24":170,"_53":171,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":172},"-KXO3xbjWDjJUwapa7YT","

Repression is par for the course, but comes against a backdrop of rising economic pressures and lingering intra-party factional discord.

","Clampdown Masks Internal Troubles in Vietnam",{"_24":174,"_53":175,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":176},"-KXO3xbleucUVczK0jGq","

The Philippines’ president has little regard for human rights as he cracks down on drugs.

","Duterte’s Machiavellian War on Drugs",{"_24":178,"_53":179,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":180},"-KXO3xbmsHFwyJJlG_bg","

The sentencing of an opposition politician is just the latest attempt to cover up a deepening 1MDB scandal.

","Malaysia Silences 1MDB Whistleblower in Blow to Rights",{"_24":182,"_53":183,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":109,"_40":41,"_26":184},"-KXO3xbpbBKpZH2Nz45V","

Several factors are disrupting the terrain for investment in large hydropower dams, and governments should take note.

","Changing Mekong Currents Compound Dam Anxieties in Southeast Asia",{"_24":186,"_46":187,"_26":188,"_49":189},"CEA",7,"Central Asia",[190,194,198,202,206],{"_24":191,"_53":192,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":193},"-KXO3xbqobbrlhLxHStd","

Kyrgyz politicians are discovering that governing in a democracy requires active attention, or mistakes get made.

","A Failure to Register: Lessons on Democratic Immaturity in Kyrgyzstan",{"_24":195,"_53":196,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":197},"-KXO3xbt8b3oEO2adNQO","

Russia realizes the importance of partnership with China, but remains suspicious and cautious.

","Can China's Ambitious OBOR Mesh With Russian Plans in Eurasia?",{"_24":199,"_53":200,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":201},"-KXO3xbwbaDqyKLPnKm5","

More of the same policy of neglect, save for added mutual admiration of authoritarian tactics and kleptocratic expansion.

","What to Expect From US Central Asia Policy Under President Trump",{"_24":203,"_53":204,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":205},"-KXO3xbzrQv3Bjp2SI3u","

The introduction of two new parties to the ballot signals the regime’s unease, not a democratic awakening.

","What to Make of Turkmenistan's 2017 Election",{"_24":207,"_53":208,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":109,"_40":41,"_26":209},"-KXO3xc0nUFZYnpiemTE","

After 5 years, the EU-Uzbekistan Textile Protocol is headed to a vote in December.

","EU Moves Uzbek Textile Deal Forward",{"_24":211,"_46":212,"_26":213,"_49":214},"OCE",8,"Oceania",[215,219,223,227],{"_24":216,"_53":217,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":218},"-KXO3xc1u7FXxLbfX3EO","

The basin hosts Australia’s prime agricultural lands, but fair allocation of water resources is a difficult political puzzle.

","The Murray-Darling Basin: A Land of Hard Compromises",{"_24":220,"_53":221,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":222},"-KXO3xc2kKqzqerndmPC","

Elections in the two countries could determine their future interactions with ASEAN neighbors.

","Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste Prepare for Strategic Elections",{"_24":224,"_53":225,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":226},"-KXO3xc5yL6lI1NrSZ1M","

Canberra is hoping that Trump will govern within the bounds of established norms that have served Australia well.

","After Trump Win, Australia Hopes for Stability in Relations With US",{"_24":228,"_53":229,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":230},"-KXO3xc6KWb8y9IBLFUr","

New findings show that humans arrived in Australia more than 10,000 years earlier than previously thought.

","Humans Arrived in Australia 49,000 Years Ago",{"_24":232,"_46":233,"_26":234,"_49":235},"SCR",9,"Security",[236,240,244,248],{"_24":237,"_53":238,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":239},"-KXO3xdksQz8TlIMrElP","

What will President Barack Obama’s legacy be when it comes to using military force?

","Obama and War: The Legacy",{"_24":241,"_53":242,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":243},"-KXO3xdm23PFjS118B-u","

The 2003 agreement is falling apart amid a sharp decline in India-Pakistan relations.

","Can the India-Pakistan Ceasefire Survive?",{"_24":245,"_53":246,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":247},"-KXO3xdnX2AEyn_-vt0_","

The head of U.S. Pacific Command wants the U.S. Army to play a more active role in the western Pacific.

","US Admiral: US Army Needs to Create Ship-Killing Units for South China Sea",{"_24":249,"_53":250,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":251},"-KXO3xdoyIE5IvzJ_QEh","

Examining the worst case and most likely scenarios when it comes to war under President Trump.

","Could Trump Actually Start a Nuclear War?",{"_24":253,"_46":254,"_26":255,"_49":256},"DPL",10,"Diplomacy",[257,261,265],{"_24":258,"_53":259,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":260},"-KXO3xdqBKg-Sx95eOj7","

After a shock election win, what does the U.S. president-elect have in store for the Asia-Pacific?

","Trump and US Leadership in Asia",{"_24":262,"_53":263,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":264},"-KXO3xdrxFcj45POOrGs","

It’s too early to declare the agreement dead, and countries are already weighing alternatives.

","How TPP Can Survive Trump",{"_24":266,"_53":267,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-KXO3xdtOTJ9fI-9GJ-h","

Despite the alarmist rhetoric we have seen, it is far from clear that this is the case.

","Does China Really Want to Lead the World Order?",{"_24":270,"_46":271,"_26":272,"_49":273},"ASL",11,"Asia Life",[274,278,282],{"_24":275,"_53":276,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":277},"-KXO3xdxmZHsmzrdh288","

The Accidental Apprentice may be a better movie than a novel.

","Another Slumdog Millionaire In the Making?",{"_24":279,"_53":280,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":281},"-KXO3xdyokP6nIDhEGcD","

Thailand’s ancient tradition of mystical tattooing, known as sak yant, is thriving in the kingdom today.

","Sacred Ink: Thailand’s Magic Tattoos",{"_24":283,"_53":284,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":75,"_40":41,"_26":285},"-KXO3xdzF1Wgz5qyX1i-","

The symbols often do not symbolize the parties’ agenda at all.

","The Curious Stories of Indian Party Symbols","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]