[{"_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","2017-09","path","/2017-09","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-Ks7s4EK6VRORJZwhlgX","title","Indonesia After Ahok","description","Welcome to the September 2017 issue of The Diplomat. This month, a year after the now-jailed former Jakarta mayor touched off a firestorm we take a deep look at the role Islam has played in Indonesia’s politics. We also ponder the success of China’s environmental activists, investigate the assassination of a Sufi singer, and examine Malaysia’s counterterrorism efforts. And, of course, we offer a range of reporting, analysis, and opinion from across the region.","masthead","

\n Publisher\n Diplomat Media, Inc.
\n 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue
\n Suite 300
\n Washington, DC 20006
\n United 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 Junior Editor\n DD Wu\n

\n Contributing Editors\nAidan Foster-Carter
\nAkhilesh Pillalamarri
\nAnthony Fensom
\nCasey Michel
\nGrant Wyeth
\nHarsh V. Pant
\nJeff Smith
\nKrzysztof Iwanek
\nLuke Hunt
\nMercy Kuo
\nMong Palatino
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nRobert Farley
\nSpencer Sheehan
\nSteven Stashwick
\nTyler Roney
\nUmair Jamal
\nVishal Arora
\nYuki Tatsumi
\n

\n Technical & Design\n Stefan Yanku\n

","number",34,"date","September 2017","month",9,"year",2017,"status","rdy","toc",[44,60,68,85,94,119,144,169,194,219,239,256,277],{"_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},"-Ks7s8_DAEh3ydpFbR5n","lead","

From religion to activism, Asia is shaped by its people and their passions.

","model","story","preview",1,"Letter From the Editor",{"_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},"-Ks7s8_LVh_2GL6kYehY","

For decades, Indonesian society has experienced a slow process of Islamization. In 2017, the pace picked up.

","After Ahok: Indonesia Grapples with the Rise of Political Islam",{"_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},"-Ks7s8_NImkROwyxVl-b","

The pragmatic approach preferred by environmental activists is put to the test by the crisis of climate change.

","China’s Effective Greens and Gaps in Climate Activism",{"_24":78,"_53":79,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":80},"-Ks7s8_OtKPfpFAqMty9","

How the death of a Sufi singer lays bare Pakistan’s violent contradictions.

","The Murder of Amjad Sabri",{"_24":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":84},"-Ks7s8_P4rlNNhcEBuQg","

With ISIS being pushed out of Iraq and Syria, is Malaysia ready?

","Malaysia’s Reckoning With the Islamic State",{"_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},"-Ks7s8_RkBADPRxWNi09","

What do eyewitness remember about August 1937’s Bloody Saturday, the start of the Battle of Shanghai?

","Paul French",{"_24":95,"_46":96,"_26":97,"_49":98},"CHN",4,"China",[99,103,107,111,115],{"_24":100,"_53":101,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":102},"-Ks7s8_S9KumiJUd__Mu","

Five years on, the relationship has regained some of its normal rhythm, but it’s a far cry from the pre-2012 status quo.

","Have China-Japan Relations Recovered From the Senkaku Nationalization?",{"_24":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":106},"-Ks7s8_TUv7cmHUmlCMJ","

A popular temple named “Temple of Grandma” in Hebei Province invented the God of Car, the God of School, and whatever god people need.

","Innovating Religion: Where There Is a Need, There Is a God",{"_24":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":110},"-Ks7s8_Vb_j8Kq3jodOY","

A dangerous ignorance about how to do “it” safely is putting the nation’s youth at risk.

","China, Let’s Talk About Sex",{"_24":112,"_53":113,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":114},"-Ks7s8_Ws0Eyyl8gmzMC","

The lack of a unified legal framework may hamper China’s ongoing digitalization drive.

","Waiting for China’s Data Protection Law",{"_24":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_40":41,"_26":118},"-Ks7s8_YvdYNReFXOQx-","

China’s involvement in Africa is changing from “business only” to include peacekeeping and other political interests.

","China’s African Knot",{"_24":120,"_46":121,"_26":122,"_49":123},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[124,128,132,136,140],{"_24":125,"_53":126,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":127},"-Ks7s8__ljEaiWxQqdPj","

Tokyo has few tools — outside of reaffirming the credibility of the U.S.-Japan alliance — to deal with North Korea.

","Japan’s North Korea Problem",{"_24":129,"_53":130,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":131},"-Ks7s8_bXS9GNnk2G7z-","

South Korea’s new president inherits a mixed legacy, and many challenges.

","What Moon Jae-in Has To Build On – And Discard",{"_24":133,"_53":134,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":135},"-Ks7s8_d_JQjbgvRiOHo","

President Moon’s decision to phase out nuclear energy will undercut South Korea’s role in the global industry.

","Lights Out for South Korea's Nuclear Export Ambitions",{"_24":137,"_53":138,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":139},"-Ks7s8_ejvQXYAQiDX2e","

Despite a drastic public opinion slide, Abe’s new cabinet was remarkably consistent.

","Abe's Cabinet Reshuffle, Explained",{"_24":141,"_53":142,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_40":41,"_26":143},"-Ks7s8_ftzZzaoG9gU4u","

With Abe under fire, why are leaders of the main opposition party stepping down?

","The Enigma of Japanese Politics",{"_24":145,"_46":146,"_26":147,"_49":148},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[149,153,157,161,165],{"_24":150,"_53":151,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":152},"-Ks7s8_gFU7Zle9zb3Y-","

Who are India’s Gorkhaland agitators and what do they seek?

","A Cry for Gorkhaland",{"_24":154,"_53":155,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":156},"-Ks7s8_hom461tm_ppup","

The argument that the Treaties are ill-suited for developing countries doesn’t necessarily apply well to India.

","India, RCEP and the WIPO Internet Treaties: Time For a Rethink",{"_24":158,"_53":159,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":160},"-Ks7s8_iLLb1QZPGU6g0","

Faced with difficult choices, Sri Lanka has to hope China’s Belt and Road can bring prosperity.

","Sri Lanka's Debt and China’s Money",{"_24":162,"_53":163,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":164},"-Ks7s8_kvmGWRG10spNb","

Further delay in delivering justice for civilians killed in U.S. airstrikes plays into the hands of the Taliban.

","When Will Afghan Civilians Get Justice?",{"_24":166,"_53":167,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_40":41,"_26":168},"-Ks7s8_l60UpWqHKE9cG","

The quagmire in Afghanistan continues under a new administration bent on bombing its way to victory.

","Trump’s Afghanistan Plan: Old Wine in a New Bottle",{"_24":170,"_46":171,"_26":172,"_49":173},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[174,178,182,186,190],{"_24":175,"_53":176,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":177},"-Ks7s8_m6dB4sE2V-KUo","

A recent decision, though predictable, exacerbates existing fears about creeping radicalization in state and society.

","What’s Behind Malaysia’s Despacito Ban?",{"_24":179,"_53":180,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":181},"-Ks7s8_nLhZ4VTEQ1ph6","

Despite Duterte’s perceived anti-Americanism, he is actually turning into a reliable ally.

","Duterte: America’s New ‘Humble Friend’",{"_24":183,"_53":184,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":185},"-Ks7s8_oiZXdu1A-WVxS","

Myanmar has a new democratic government. So why are journalists being treated like criminals?

","Myanmar's Media in Chains",{"_24":187,"_53":188,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":189},"-Ks7s8_qMlsKMGWefkIX","

A closer look at an episode in the context of Hun Sen’s wider domestic and foreign policy.

","What’s Behind the New Cambodia-Laos Border Crisis?",{"_24":191,"_53":192,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_40":41,"_26":193},"-Ks7s8_r64iUitIA3O3H","

The regional bloc needs to better incorporate provinces and states in its integration process.

","Why ASEAN Needs to Think Local",{"_24":195,"_46":196,"_26":197,"_49":198},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[199,203,207,211,215],{"_24":200,"_53":201,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":202},"-Ks7s8aaH835XypckG5L","

Central Asia hardly ever escapes the realm of cliche in global understanding.

","Not Just a Game: Discussing Geopolitics in Central Asia",{"_24":204,"_53":205,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":206},"-Ks7s8abvCDyREIuULyR","

Moscow would like to avoid having to militarily intervene itself.

","Why Russia Wants the US to Stay in Afghanistan",{"_24":208,"_53":209,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":210},"-Ks7s8acIe6Io3-6TVeY","

Global coverage of Turkmenistan shows the power of personality cults to set agendas far beyond national boundaries.

","Vanity Without Borders: How Central Asian Despots Manipulate the International Press",{"_24":212,"_53":213,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":214},"-Ks7s8aegGORgw7QGn8i","

A Dance With the Cobra: Confronting Grand Corruption in Uzbekistan aims to explain the tangled web of corruption in Uzbekistan.

","Unraveling Grand Corruption in Uzbekistan",{"_24":216,"_53":217,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_40":41,"_26":218},"-Ks7s8affXXnykJWsvcd","

Feeding on old rumors, the documentary is further indication of a deteriorating relationship.

","Tajik State TV Documentary Accuses Iran of Civil War Meddling",{"_24":220,"_46":37,"_26":221,"_49":222},"OCE","Oceania",[223,227,231,235],{"_24":224,"_53":225,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":226},"-Ks7s8agzcx6UidwjYxl","

The addition of New Caledonia and French Polynesia raises important questions about diplomacy among Pacific island states.

","The Pacific Island Forum’s New French Territorial Members",{"_24":228,"_53":229,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":230},"-Ks7s8ahP-36ohB7VT2B","

Australia faces fundamental strategic choices when it comes to Taiwan.

","Locating Taiwan on Australia’s Strategic Radar",{"_24":232,"_53":233,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":234},"-Ks7s8aiu4FAR5wPPu2T","

PNG’s loose party politics leads to perpetual government by a series of unstable coalitions.

","Big Men, No Women: Politics in Papua New Guinea",{"_24":236,"_53":237,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":238},"-Ks7s8ajy3X_tftn7GLe","

Will Canberra ditch the British monarchy? The Labor party wants to put it to a vote.

","An Australian Republic, If You Can Referendum It",{"_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},"-Ks7s8alK9Y4UdpJpsy0","

North Korea's capabilities demand a serious reassessment of how the United States conceives of nuclear deterrence and commitments in Northeast Asia.

","The Unbearable Truth About North Korea",{"_24":249,"_53":250,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":251},"-Ks7s8amYebD1Uj8pk8H","

India’s moves against China at Doklam reflect its value as a partner to the United States in preserving global order.

","For the US, India's Moves at Doklam Signal Its Willingness to Act",{"_24":253,"_53":254,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":255},"-Ks7s8aolGqBF8JkZs4E","

The Agency’s role in the country is a reminder that suspicion about U.S. intervention in the region is not without basis.

","What Laos Taught the CIA",{"_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},"-Ks7s8arVWrh2P9Mh_Z4","

The Japanese Navy lost the Second World War because it focused on winning decisive battles rather than developing a long-term grand strategy to win the conflict.

","The Quest for Decisive Battle: How Japan’s Navy Lost the War",{"_24":266,"_53":267,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-Ks7s8asUnNjCtjuD8H_","

Forget quick victories; great power wars are usually determined by protracted attrition warfare.

","Thucydides’ Ignored Lesson",{"_24":270,"_53":271,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":272},"-Ks7s8asUnNjCtjuD8Ha","

The Duterte administration continues to tout opportunities of a pact despite the significant risks it would involve.

","Beware the New China-Philippines South China Sea Deal",{"_24":274,"_53":275,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_40":41,"_26":276},"-Ks7s8aumgVoojbKDWCD","

The strategic partnership between India and Vietnam goes beyond a prospective BrahMos sale.

","The India-Vietnam Relationship: Beyond the BrahMos Connection",{"_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},"-Ks7s8awHdrxxzfVW8ns","

‘Engrish’ can be extremely funny – if we don’t turn it into a symbol of linguistic domination.

","Is Engrish Funny for the Chinese?",{"_24":287,"_53":288,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":289},"-Ks7s8axDUvknDL0aI0y","

A look back at political cartoons on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the independence of India and Pakistan.

","The Shadow of Doubt: India, Pakistan, and Vulgar Cartoons in 1947",{"_24":291,"_53":292,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":70,"_40":41,"_26":293},"-Ks7s8ayrKRwn73YoMUL","

Baijiu, China’s go-to alcohol, is virtually unknown in the rest of the world.

","Have You Tried the World's Most Popular Liquor?","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]