[{"_1":2,"_295":-5,"_296":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_293":294},"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","2017-03","path","/2017-03","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-KdYNdv6QWeKhsKfC5hO","title","South Korea at a Crossroads","description","Welcome to the March 2017 issue of The Diplomat. This month, we examine the uncertainty that lingers in South Korea after the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. We also outline recent developments along China and Japan’s maritime border in the East China Sea, look back at the National League for Democracy’s first year in power in Myanmar, and explore Chinese state control of Tibetan Buddhism. And, of course, we offer a range of reporting, analysis, and opinion from across the region.","masthead","

\n Publisher\nDiplomat Media, Inc.
\n1701 Pennsylvania Avenue
\nSuite 300
\nWashington, DC 20006
\nUnited States of America\n

\n Publisher\n James Pach\n

\n Editor-in-Chief\n Shannon Tiezzi\n

\n Managing Editor\n Catherine Putz\n

\n Senior Editor\n Ankit Panda\n

\n Associate Editors\n Prashanth Parameswaran
\n Franz-Stefan Gady\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 John Power
\n Casey Michel
\n Akhilesh Pillalamarri
\n Taylor Dibbert
\n Anthony Fensom
\n Mercy A. Kuo
\n Yuki Tatsumi
\n Muhammad Akbar Notezai
\n Umair Jamal
\n Grant Wyeth
\n David Gitter
\n Helen Clark
\n Steven Stashwick
\n Jeff M. Smith
\n Paolo Sorbello
\n Bruce Harrison\n

\n Technical & Design\n Stefan Yanku\n

","number",28,"date","March 2017","month",3,"year",2017,"status","rdy","toc",[44,60,67,84,92,117,142,167,192,217,238,255,276],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"LTR","priority",0,"Letter","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":59},"-KdYNfB-D3cmtFXn7aoh","lead","

Some of Asia’s biggest stories have a lifespan that begins before and extends well after the news headlines.

","model","story","preview",1,"Letter From the Editors",{"_24":61,"_46":58,"_26":62,"_49":63},"CVRS","Cover Story",[64],{"_24":65,"_53":66,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":27},"-KdYNfBDd3NHbxEuXnNN","

As a president’s fate hangs in the balance, South Korea is in a state of pervasive political uncertainty – but not political instability.

",{"_24":68,"_46":69,"_26":70,"_49":71},"LDS",2,"Leads",[72,76,80],{"_24":73,"_53":74,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":75},"-KdYNfBeP5eofNDimAol","

China and Japan are engaged in a long-term test of wills over disputed waters and territory in the East China Sea.

","The New ‘Normal’ in the East China Sea",{"_24":77,"_53":78,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":79},"-KdYNfBgDKJq5jzDRVIG","

The NLD government’s first year in office was difficult, and more challenges remain ahead.

","Governing Myanmar",{"_24":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-KdYNfBjmpBOWA4IQRrp","

The historical roots and modern-day ramifications of Chinese government attempts to control Vajrayana (or “Tibetan”) Buddhism.

","The Golden Urn: Buddhist Lamas and Chinese State Control",{"_24":85,"_46":37,"_26":86,"_49":87},"INT","Interview",[88],{"_24":89,"_53":90,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":91},"-KdYNfBna8oSA6iqU8Gx","

Far from being isolated and detached from the world, in Central Asia the dictators have no borders.

","Alexander Cooley and John Heathershaw",{"_24":93,"_46":94,"_26":95,"_49":96},"CHN",4,"China",[97,101,105,109,113],{"_24":98,"_53":99,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":100},"-KdYNfBoYACSFc8oibHC","

Trump’s economic team is still preparing itself, but expect the administration to act in the not-too-distant future.

","US-China Trade: Get Ready for a Rough Ride",{"_24":102,"_53":103,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":104},"-KdYNfBpB8wVfQRkdwr2","

A look at the current front-runners and their positions on two of Hong Kong’s most controversial issues.

","The 2017 Chief Executive Elections: High Stakes for Hong Kong",{"_24":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":108},"-KdYNfBrtm29Ad9d23_6","

Beijing is getting better at selling Asia a benign vision, but most of the region is still having trouble buying it.

","China: New White Paper, Old Asia Conundrum",{"_24":110,"_53":111,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":112},"-KdYNfBtuTOANgBZQf0e","

OBOR may be a national-level plan, but the provincial governments will mold the project to suit local needs.

","Many Belts, Many Roads: How China's Provinces Will Tweak a Global Project",{"_24":114,"_53":115,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":94,"_40":41,"_26":116},"-KdYNfBveePBY8ZFfJqx","

On China’s suspension of coal imports from North Korea, a healthy dose of skepticism is needed.

","Is China Serious About Banning North Korean Coal?",{"_24":118,"_46":119,"_26":120,"_49":121},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[122,126,130,134,138],{"_24":123,"_53":124,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":125},"-KdYNfC0bA1DGg45Lkw5","

Abe’s visit to Washington was only the beginning.

","US-Japan Relations Aren’t Out of the Woods Yet",{"_24":127,"_53":128,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":129},"-KdYNfC3N4hz9K-3BqYf","

China remains the major obstacle to applying real pressure on North Korea over its missile and nuclear programs.

","The Stumbling Block to US North Korea Policy: China",{"_24":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":133},"-KdYNfC4jn4godAe86Mp","

The biggest scandal in South Korean history almost never made it to light.

","The History of a Scandal: How South Korea's President Was Impeached",{"_24":135,"_53":136,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":137},"-KdYNfC5DSHslZYIH4dL","

Second-generation politicians are increasingly entrenched in Japan’s Diet and government.

","Hereditary Politics in Japan: A Family Business",{"_24":139,"_53":140,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":94,"_40":41,"_26":141},"-KdYNfC7l49vWUnoITIg","

Citing “slander” and “fake news,” the former UN secretary general abandons his political ambitions.

","Ban Ki-moon Won't Run for South Korean President After All",{"_24":143,"_46":144,"_26":145,"_49":146},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[147,151,155,159,163],{"_24":148,"_53":149,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":150},"-KdYNfCA8meg3DvtvUU1","

What does the recent spate of terror attacks in Pakistan tell us about the state of counterterrorism efforts in the country?

","A Bloody Start to 2017 in Pakistan",{"_24":152,"_53":153,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":154},"-KdYNfCBqzgAPfYX8Jgq","

Pakistan is silencing discussion on a growing number of topics, from religious extremism to CPEC.

","Pakistan's Censorship Takes a Dangerous Turn",{"_24":156,"_53":157,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":158},"-KdYNfCBqzgAPfYX8Jgr","

India is far from perfect in ensuring women’s rights, but quotas at the local government level are having a real impact.

","The Power of India's Village Women",{"_24":160,"_53":161,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":162},"-KdYNfCCJn9beihLi3-J","

Moscow is aligning itself with the enemy of its enemy, the Taliban.

","Why Russia Increasingly Favors the Taliban in Afghanistan",{"_24":164,"_53":165,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":94,"_40":41,"_26":166},"-KdYNfCDKWVkvkdTdZF6","

Border fences are not particularly effective, but they are enormously expensive.

","The India-Bangladesh Wall: Lessons for Trump",{"_24":168,"_46":169,"_26":170,"_49":171},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[172,176,180,184,188],{"_24":173,"_53":174,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":175},"-KdYNfCFWo4l0XgUpbLV","

The idea of the regional grouping hosting the tournament appears to be gaining steam.

","An ASEAN World Cup in 2034?",{"_24":177,"_53":178,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":179},"-KdYNfCG2rrLpZJ0WAL7","

Talking peace is preferable to talking war.

","Why Duterte Should Restart the Peace Talks with Communists",{"_24":181,"_53":182,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":183},"-KdYNfCLuIEluE0tGj4H","

Trump’s second act in the South China Sea will have to be stronger than his first.

","Chekhov's Gun and the Tangled US-Philippines-China Triangle",{"_24":185,"_53":186,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":187},"-KdYNfCNdGu2RBtltYZm","

A look at what may follow the opposition leader’s resignation.

","What’s Next for Cambodia’s Sam Rainsy?",{"_24":189,"_53":190,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":94,"_40":41,"_26":191},"-KdYNfCONamCP5_EMu4-","

A closer look at who should truly hold that title.

","Oldest US Ally in Asia: Thailand or the Philippines?",{"_24":193,"_46":194,"_26":195,"_49":196},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[197,201,205,209,213],{"_24":198,"_53":199,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":200},"-KdYNfCONamCP5_EMu40","

Astana’s handling of its critics handicaps the state’s ability to keep in touch with its own people.

","Bad Press on the Steppe",{"_24":202,"_53":203,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":204},"-KdYNfCPXKSI_JoB20gF","

Russia’s state-controlled push for innovation is widely discussed, but has had little real impact.

","Russia's Innovation Facade",{"_24":206,"_53":207,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":208},"-KdYNfCQMuOORcE0m0mT","

Tashkent wants nearly $1 billion in frozen assets back, but the state is complicit in the original corruption.

","Western Fingerprints on Uzbek Crime Racket",{"_24":210,"_53":211,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":212},"-KdYNfCQMuOORcE0m0mU","

Pipelines and politics, both foreign and domestic.

","Watch the Throne: Trans-Caspian Pipeline Meets Succession Politics in Kazakhstan",{"_24":214,"_53":215,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":94,"_40":41,"_26":216},"-KdYNfCRaFwAiy_IY4GO","

The contenders are already gathering for what will surely be Central Asia’s most dynamic election to date.

","Kyrgyzstan Sets November Date for Presidential Election",{"_24":218,"_46":219,"_26":220,"_49":221},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[222,226,230,234],{"_24":223,"_53":224,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":225},"-KdYNfDGNuVgbN2ztoU-","

Amid accusations of nepotism and abusing authority, Prime Minister Pōhiva may also be facing issues of class.

","Tongan Prime Minister Faces No Confidence Motion",{"_24":227,"_53":228,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":229},"-KdYNfDHQ9GpEXFxzwb3","

Cory Bernardi’s defection from the Liberal Party is a significant moment in Australian politics.

","A Schism Among Australian Conservatives",{"_24":231,"_53":232,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":233},"-KdYNfDJaIdzmaa_JY1U","

PNG has good reason to broaden its roster of partners to include China, but Australia has concerns.

","Is Papua New Guinea Outgrowing Australia’s Backyard?",{"_24":235,"_53":236,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":237},"-KdYNfDM8nY1v1UyLMHC","

Why the emphasis on peace-building in the UN Sustainable Development Goals is essential.

","No Development Without Peace: The Solomon Islands Example",{"_24":239,"_46":240,"_26":241,"_49":242},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[243,247,251],{"_24":244,"_53":245,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":246},"-KdYNfDNdRBWyFAvZ0Mh","

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump may have just entered their honeymoon phase, but challenges lie ahead for U.S.-Japan ties.

","Behind Japan 'One Hundred Percent'",{"_24":248,"_53":249,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":250},"-KdYNfDNdRBWyFAvZ0Mi","

Major takeaways from Xi and Trump’s first official chat.

","China's Xi Finally Speaks to President Trump",{"_24":252,"_53":253,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":254},"-KdYNfDOPErUygg1eyXF","

The carrier strike group is conducting routine patrols, but is not set up for FONOPS, despite speculation.

","US Carrier Group Enters South China Sea",{"_24":256,"_46":257,"_26":258,"_49":259},"SCR",11,"Security",[260,264,268,272],{"_24":261,"_53":262,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":263},"-KdYNfDSkGCs8arLtM8Q","

War in the Asia-Pacific region in the near future is a real possibility, and analysts need to step up their game to better inform policymakers.

","The Coming War in Asia: Why We Need Better Analysts",{"_24":265,"_53":266,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":267},"-KdYNfDTlujDNRyBL93t","

How will China use its fledgling ballistic missile submarine fleet?

","Who Will Command China's New SSBN Fleet?",{"_24":269,"_53":270,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":271},"-KdYNfDUjoY-FbOS-RQa","

A look at where the country is in establishing a much-needed body.

","Is Indonesia Ready for New Cyber Agency?",{"_24":273,"_53":274,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":275},"-KdYNfDUjoY-FbOS-RQb","

The Pakistan military is purportedly toying with the idea of procuring the S-400 missile air defense system.

","Will Pakistan Buy Russia’s S-400 Missile Air Defense System?",{"_24":277,"_46":278,"_26":279,"_49":280},"ASL",12,"Asia Life",[281,285,289],{"_24":282,"_53":283,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":284},"-KdYNfDV2DOarUNA6-eV","

How one controversy welds together love, Islam, Westernization and Indian politics.

","Love Jihad: Muslim Romeos and Hindu Juliets?",{"_24":286,"_53":287,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":288},"-KdYNfDWKKJIv40BlBVM","

China struggles to turn sci-fi barnburners into cinema blockbusters.

","Chinese Sci-Fi Ascendant: Can Films Match the Magic of Literature?",{"_24":290,"_53":291,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":292},"-KdYNfDXk-KUe0lHqnKT","

Debates over how to brace South Korea’s universities for changing demographics have been put on hold.

","Impeachment Scandal's Overlooked Victim: Korea's Higher Education","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]