[{"_1":2,"_296":-5,"_297":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_294":295},"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","2017-04","path","/2017-04","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-KeGhASG-kaGuWdFHNkb","title","Unpacking Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy","description","Welcome to the April 2017 issue of The Diplomat. This month, we evaluate the progress and potential pitfalls of Taiwan’s new economic focus on South and Southeast Asia. We also look at Nepal’s slow road to recovery two years after a devastating earthquake, explore the complex relationships between fishermen from competing states in the South China Sea disputes, and take a data-based look at the current state of North Korea’s missile program. 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\nJin Kai
\nKerry Brown
\nCal Wong
\nHarsh V. Pant
\nDingding Chen
\nRobert Farley
\nLuke Hunt
\nMong Palatino
\nJohn Power
\nCasey Michel
\nAkhilesh Pillalamarri
\nTaylor Dibbert
\nVishal Arora
\nAnthony Fensom
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nYuki Tatsumi
\nMuhammad Akbar Notezai
\nUmair Jamal
\nGrant Wyeth
\nDavid Gitter
\nHelen Clark
\nSteven Stashwick
\nJeff M. Smith
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nBruce Harrison
\nSpencer Sheehan\n

\n Technical & Design\n Stefan Yanku\n

","number",29,"date","April 2017","month",4,"year",2017,"status","rdy","toc",[44,60,68,85,94,118,143,168,193,218,239,256,277],{"_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},"-KeGhBrxoai7mL9X86kG","lead","

This month, we’re touching on three hot-button issues that are never far from the 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":67},"-KeGhBsWp0qGPFVbX_bd","

Can Taiwan’s latest attempt to avoid economic dependence on China succeed?

","Unpacking Tsai Ing-wen’s New Southbound Policy",{"_24":69,"_46":70,"_26":71,"_49":72},"LDS",2,"Leads",[73,77,81],{"_24":74,"_53":75,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":76},"-KeGhBsZ3mRmzuekGJWV","

The task of rebuilding from the 2015 earthquake, in both villages and the capital, remains painfully slow.

","Rebuilding Nepal, 2 Years Later",{"_24":78,"_53":79,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":80},"-KeGhBs_D_G-ho06dzh7","

Vietnam’s and China’s fisheries are at the forefront of the South China Sea disputes.

","South China Sea: The Fishermen on the Front Lines",{"_24":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":84},"-KeGhBsbrhFdZYM_K-yg","

A close look at Pyongyang’s strategic missile capabilities.

","How Advanced Are North Korea’s Missiles?",{"_24":86,"_46":87,"_26":88,"_49":89},"INT",3,"Interview",[90],{"_24":91,"_53":92,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":93},"-KeGhBsd9Djh52I8IS2H","

In the wake of a protest-filled summer and fall, the Indian state’s political legitimacy in the Kashmir Valley is at a low.

","Sameer Lalwani",{"_24":95,"_46":37,"_26":96,"_49":97},"CHN","China",[98,102,106,110,114],{"_24":99,"_53":100,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":101},"-KeGhBsd9Djh52I8IS2I","

The visit displayed both side’s ambitious visions for the relationship, long based on little more than oil.

","Saudi Arabia’s King Comes to China",{"_24":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":105},"-KeGhBsgDkOqLBFmJod8","

Beijing’s favorite, Carrie Lam, wins the race for chief executive, to the dismay of pan-democrats.

","Hong Kong Whimpers as New Chief Executive Announced",{"_24":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":109},"-KeGhBsgDkOqLBFmJod9","

Tsai Ing-wen’s popularity is falling amid pressure from Beijing and economic uncertainty.

","On Taiwan, the Honeymoon Is Over",{"_24":111,"_53":112,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":113},"-KeGhBsj7xR8fdeJJ5ns","

A recent Islamic State video featuring Uyghurs threatening China shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

","The Islamic State Just Threatened China. What Will Beijing Do?",{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-KeGhBsk6P1k050dsi53","

Different interpretations of history showcase hidden tensions in the China-Vietnam relationship.

","China and Vietnam: Thoughts From a Chinese Sojourner in Ho Chi Minh City",{"_24":119,"_46":120,"_26":121,"_49":122},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[123,127,131,135,139],{"_24":124,"_53":125,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":126},"-KeGhBso6cQ2UexGnuDK","

The increasing pace of Pyongyang's provocations raises critical questions for Tokyo’s defense plans.

","Japan’s North Korea Challenge",{"_24":128,"_53":129,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":130},"-KeGhBsqav9VEWmNf3XC","

Stripped of her executive privilege, the former president finally faces prosecution for her role in the corruption scandal that shook South Korea.

","Is the Law Finally Catching up to Park Geun-hye?",{"_24":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":134},"-KeGhBssccmlmXVfSvCA","

Will Japan use Trump’s presidency as impetus to commit to a new Asian security architecture in the region?

","Abe’s Trump Challenge and Japan's Foreign Policy Choices",{"_24":136,"_53":137,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":138},"-KeGhBst24EIfHs6k-K-","

Relying on the international community is clearly not working.

","South Korea Needs a New North Korea Strategy",{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-KeGhBsvntv7AVTvkTnx","

The decision highlights the domestic constraints on Japan’s defense activities abroad.

","Japan Self-Defense Force Withdraws From South Sudan",{"_24":144,"_46":145,"_26":146,"_49":147},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[148,152,156,160,164],{"_24":149,"_53":150,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":151},"-KeGhBsyPcZrL40wziQs","

Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas formally merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in March 2017. Why does that matter?

","Pakistan Rethinks Its Tribal Areas",{"_24":153,"_53":154,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":155},"-KeGhBszBoe3OQUVHRiw","

Sex before marriage, fleeing abuse, even being raped could land a woman in one of Afghanistan’s moral prisons.

","The Women in Afghanistan’s Moral Prisons",{"_24":157,"_53":158,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":159},"-KeGhBt-slFzeTMy2YM3","

Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy crackdown is tightening the noose around nonbelievers.

","Pakistan's War on Atheism",{"_24":161,"_53":162,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":163},"-KeGhBt0QEw0Wr2LTeGH","

Yogi Adityanath will became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh after the BJP’s victory in state elections.

","For Uttar Pradesh: Modi Taps Firebrand Hindu Priest-Politician to Lead",{"_24":165,"_53":166,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-KeGhBt18EUKKA2_llN-","

While demonetization appears to be defying expectations, opinion remains divided over the speed and secrecy of the move.

","How India’s Demonetization Experiment Is Defying the Odds",{"_24":169,"_46":170,"_26":171,"_49":172},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[173,177,181,185,189],{"_24":174,"_53":175,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":176},"-KeGhBt3CObXK8yp3qlP","

A recent visit offered a window into a usually overlooked relationship.

","Laos-Japan Relations in the Spotlight",{"_24":178,"_53":179,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":180},"-KeGhBt4uNIhkB1Gp6DI","

Many Filipinos acknowledge the strategic necessity of the industry, but a growing number argue that the environmental damage is too great.

","How the Mine Industry is Polarizing the Philippines",{"_24":182,"_53":183,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":184},"-KeGhBt9TKPOg9vr3czP","

The ups and downs of life in an ethnically Vietnamese community in Cambodia.

","Cambodia, Catholicism, and Cauliflower",{"_24":186,"_53":187,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":188},"-KeGhBtA6OM_yFnK8WsD","

While government efforts at reintegration fall short, NGOs are filling the gap.

","Reintegrating Extremist Prisoners in Indonesia: Easier Said Than Done",{"_24":190,"_53":191,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":192},"-KeGhBtCyD6wVxS85AKC","

Despite the massive 1MDB scandal, Malaysia’s ruling party might be in an even better position than in 2013.

","Can Malaysia's Opposition Win?",{"_24":194,"_46":195,"_26":196,"_49":197},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[198,202,206,210,214],{"_24":199,"_53":200,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":201},"-KeGhBtDsh2V-jm8jwJK","

A recent report says Tajiks feature prominently among foreign-born ISIS suicide bombers, but subsequent reporting missed the context.

","Context Needed: Tajik Suicide Bombers in Syria",{"_24":203,"_53":204,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":205},"-KeGhBtDsh2V-jm8jwJL","

Mirziyoyev paid his first visit to Turkmenistan while their main joint project – a pipeline to China – was being killed.

","Uzbekistan Puts a Smile on an Economic Blow to Turkmenistan",{"_24":207,"_53":208,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":209},"-KeGhBtEB0Nb7Ra8Zj7D","

What is happening on the border? It’s decidedly more than nothing.

","All Quiet on the Turkmen Front?",{"_24":211,"_53":212,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":213},"-KeGhBtFhH0Ofqy8lrcV","

A new year, a new posture statement to parse.

","In 2017, What Does CENTCOM Care About in Central Asia?",{"_24":215,"_53":216,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":217},"-KeGhBtGIeXUf601-foj","

There are more rumors than answers coming out of Bishkek these days.

","Kyrgyz Presidential Politics: Scaling a Mountain of Rumors",{"_24":219,"_46":220,"_26":221,"_49":222},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[223,227,231,235],{"_24":224,"_53":225,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":226},"-KeGhBu60gVlMbHzVNKh","

The state is shifting its Overseas Medical Referral Program from New Zealand to India.

","Samoans Seek Medical Care Abroad",{"_24":228,"_53":229,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":230},"-KeGhBu9nRSmYKNL06ns","

Australia has called all of its current diplomatic heads of mission home to help craft a new foreign policy white paper.

","Calling All Ambassadors: Australia Ponders a New Foreign Policy Path",{"_24":232,"_53":233,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":234},"-KeGhBu9nRSmYKNL06nt","

Australia’s economic growth streak is alive, but precariously balanced.

","OECD Warns Australia: Still Feeling Lucky?",{"_24":236,"_53":237,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":238},"-KeGhBuAhYBA11VovGnl","

Increased professionalism in the security sector helped prevent a repeat of the violence in 2006.

","The Key to Successful Elections in Timor-Leste: Professional Security Forces",{"_24":240,"_46":241,"_26":242,"_49":243},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[244,248,252],{"_24":245,"_53":246,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":247},"-KeGhBuCLr5PSDLpeBVD","

The United States' top diplomat is a total outsider on foreign policy. His first trip to Asia shows why that matters.

","Tillerson in Asia",{"_24":249,"_53":250,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":251},"-KeGhBuCLr5PSDLpeBVE","

Don’t hold your breath for the language of the ‘pivot’ or ‘rebalance’ to make a return anytime soon.

","Straight From the US State Department: The 'Pivot' to Asia Is Over",{"_24":253,"_53":254,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":255},"-KeGhBuDzfRU7aJWRMVw","

Cuts to the U.S. State Department will also impact the U.S.-Pakistan alliance.

","What Donald Trump’s Budget Means for Pakistan",{"_24":257,"_46":258,"_26":259,"_49":260},"SCR",11,"Security",[261,265,269,273],{"_24":262,"_53":263,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":264},"-KeGhBuH_Xx2yn9VOquL","

Why “left of launch” operations can undermine nuclear stability and accelerate the nuclear arms race in Asia.

","Cyber Attacks and the Dangers of Hacking the Bomb",{"_24":266,"_53":267,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-KeGhBuIhebIMKL03Hca","

China may be afraid that THAAD will degrade its own nuclear second-strike capability.

","THAAD and China's Nuclear Second-Strike Capability",{"_24":270,"_53":271,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":272},"-KeGhBuIhebIMKL03Hcb","

The Yulin Naval Base is shaping up to be the most strategically important military base in the South China Sea.

","China's Most Important South China Sea Military Base",{"_24":274,"_53":275,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":276},"-KeGhBuJ5ap-2dzLKeMc","

Assessing the future of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting and ADMM-Plus.

","The Strengths and Weaknesses of Asia's 2 Major Defense Meetings",{"_24":278,"_46":279,"_26":280,"_49":281},"ASL",12,"Asia Life",[282,286,290],{"_24":283,"_53":284,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":285},"-KeGhBv956vca1LXobhJ","

An international university is being established close to the site of an old Buddhist learning center.

","The New Ancient: India’s Nalanda University Project",{"_24":287,"_53":288,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":289},"-KeGhBvBxho2MKY189er","

Cultural treasures stolen from conflict zones continue to pop up for sale in the United States and elsewhere.

","Buyer Beware: US Market for Ancient Asian Art Still the Wild, Wild East",{"_24":291,"_53":292,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":293},"-KeGhBvD6TAl4cNGYHy_","

Despite being deeply rooted in Chinese culture, the film engages the Western viewer with a clear message.

","China’s ‘Great Wall’: Conquering the World With Cinema","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]