[{"_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","2018-10","path","/2018-10","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-LND1uUi-Wg9UROte0U0","title","The Thai Sting: A Fishing Raid in the South China Sea","description","Welcome to the October 2018 issue of The Diplomat. This month, we hop onboard a Thai patrol boat for a high-speed chase in the South China Sea, hear how Chinese intelligence pressures Uyghurs living overseas, revisit former Taiwan President Chiang Ching-kuo’s formative years in the Soviet Union, and investigate the arrest of a transportation activist in Bangladesh. 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 Franz-Stefan Gady
\n Prashanth Parameswaran\n

\n Contributing Editors\nPriyanka Borpujari
\nKerry Brown
\nErin Cook
\nRobert Farley
\nAnthony Fensom
\nKyle Ferrier
\nJenna Gibson
\nBonnie Girard
\nUmida Hashimova
\nLuke Hunt
\nDaniel Hurst
\nUmair Jamal
\nHyunmin Michael Kang
\nTae-jun Kang
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nMong Palatino
\nHarsh V. Pant
\nAkhilesh Pillalamarri
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nTroy Stangarone
\nSteven Stashwick
\nThisanka Siripala
\nYuki Tatsumi
\nAman Thakker
\nColleen Wood
\nClint Work\n

\n Technical & Design\n Stefan Yanku\n

","number",47,"date","October 2018","month",10,"year",2018,"status","rdy","toc",[44,60,67,84,93,118,143,168,193,218,239,255,276],{"_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},"-LND1wKt2pmr2XShk_hc","lead","

Whether on the open ocean or in a prison cell, the influence of state authority – or the lack thereof – shapes actions and reactions.

","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},"-LND1wL0kdkAv_-0wGZb","

As Thailand turns the corner on one fishing crisis, another one rears its head.

",{"_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},"-LND1wL3ILek60I8s7U1","

The Chinese government is stepping up the pressure on the Uyghur diaspora, even as it cracks down on their relatives in Xinjiang.

","China’s Uyghur Crackdown Goes Global",{"_24":77,"_53":78,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":79},"-LND1wL4_Ozg4ZgAqpzr","

The future leader of Taiwan spent his formative years as a passionate communist, studying and working in the Soviet Union.

","The Cog That Slipped: Chiang Ching-kuo’s Russian Odyssey",{"_24":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-LND1wL6HKZdc1IvWptz","

One man’s fate after the August protests illustrates the government’s growing paranoia.

","Bangladesh: The Anatomy of a Political Arrest",{"_24":85,"_46":86,"_26":87,"_49":88},"INT",3,"Interview",[89],{"_24":90,"_53":91,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":92},"-LND1wL7Etfgr6o8gCT4","

Telling the stories of two Kyrgyz legends: Chingiz Aitmatov and Azamat Altay.

","Jeffrey Lilley",{"_24":94,"_46":95,"_26":96,"_49":97},"CHN",4,"China",[98,102,106,110,114],{"_24":99,"_53":100,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":101},"-LND1wL8WzxRN_GiEHqQ","

The BRI turns five amid questions about its value for other countries.

","China’s Belt and Road: Growing Pains",{"_24":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":105},"-LND1wL9rSnPGQBfb1V2","

As China’s economic risks loom large, the Chinese public is growing angry.

","Amid Trade War, China's $60 Billion Offer to Africa Backfires at Home",{"_24":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":109},"-LND1wLCTYiK8SdsCaUg","

Xi Jinping is putting his stamp on all levels of the Chinese-North Korean relationship.

","Xi Jinping and China-North Korea Relations",{"_24":111,"_53":112,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":113},"-LND1wLCTYiK8SdsCaUh","

Another $260 billion in total tariffs is set to take effect between the U.S. and China. Both sides are claiming they’ll be fine.

","US, China Both Remain Defiant as Trade War Deepens",{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-LND1wLFMp8EAzIM9aQM","

A reported agreement could spell trouble for Taipei — and China’s Catholics.

","What the China-Vatican Deal Means for Taiwan",{"_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},"-LND1wLlzMhSBiSMraJ0","

What will Abe want to accomplish in his final three years as prime minister?

","Abe’s Choice After the LDP Presidential Election",{"_24":128,"_53":129,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":130},"-LND1wLo0AUIWoH4GqTY","

North Korea’s electricity production has increased despite strict sanctions. How is that possible?

","What’s Powering North Korea?",{"_24":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":134},"-LND1wLs5_7A9ozkOFki","

There’s something familiar about the inter-Korean Pyongyang Declaration.

","Pyongyang Summit Declaration Strays From Denuclearization Goals",{"_24":136,"_53":137,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":138},"-LND1wLuEn-MHnrh9IGH","

What’s going on with South Korea’s the National Pension Service? That’s what a lot of Koreans are wondering.

","What Is Happening With South Korea's Pension Fund?",{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-LND1wLvRwIsIYqDWl6b","

Anxiety over China’s growing maritime influence drives Japanese, Indian, and U.S. interests in Sri Lanka’s ports.

","Japan Eyes Sri Lanka’s Deep Water Port of Trincomalee",{"_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},"-LND1wLxr4Nl0hXhJ7ua","

Only major, institutional change can reset Pakistan. But is Khan willing to confront the military to achieve it?

","Imran Khan’s Misplaced Priorities",{"_24":153,"_53":154,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":155},"-LND1wLzXvjp8rxsbgCT","

India’s Supreme Court has struck down Section 377. Now the truly hard work begins for LGBT rights.

","Pride Trumps Prejudice: India's Gay Sex Ban Is No More",{"_24":157,"_53":158,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":159},"-LND1wLzXvjp8rxsbgCU","

A new set of draconian laws is setting Nepal on a troubling trajectory.

","Nepal’s Communist Government Tightens Its Grip on Civil Society",{"_24":161,"_53":162,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":163},"-LND1wM-6xi1WqRJ96WJ","

More talking, more violence — where is the war in Afghanistan going?

","US-Taliban Talks Under the Shadow of Deadly Violence",{"_24":165,"_53":166,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-LND1wM2cVIDExKDbTnQ","

Far from the headlines, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provides worrying evidence of a rise in religious hatred.

","Chitral: A Portrait of Sectarian Tension in Pakistan",{"_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},"-LND1wM4n6mgMYrVhpMs","

The idea of the monarchy having its own dedicated personnel is hardly a new development in Thailand.

","The New Thai King’s Volunteer Army",{"_24":178,"_53":179,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":180},"-LND1wM63K8ooo9EKW7l","

The church denies accusations that it aims to “destabilize” Duterte’s rule, but also hasn’t hesitated to point out his abuses.

","Will the Catholic Church Go to War Against Duterte in the Philippines?",{"_24":182,"_53":183,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":184},"-LND1wM63K8ooo9EKW7m","

Indonesia’s rupiah is nearing levels last seen in the Asian Financial Crisis. Here’s why this time is different.

","Another Indonesian Financial Crisis? Not Quite.",{"_24":186,"_53":187,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":188},"-LND1wM8OM8u9WGfxQBw","

…The more they stay the same.

","Malaysia’s China Policy: The More Things Change…",{"_24":190,"_53":191,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":192},"-LND1wM98VsoIGDs0lUL","

Decimated by genocide, Cambodia’s educational progress so far is surely commendable.

","The Lingering Effects of the Cambodian Genocide on Education",{"_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},"-LND1wMBtAUFISZUlh90","

As Tajik opposition groups form an alliance, Dushanbe struggles to respond.

","The Tajik Rumble in Warsaw",{"_24":203,"_53":204,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":205},"-LND1wMEqQDwnJBNkVtx","

Since 2016, Turkey has pressed for Kyrgyzstan to close Gulen-linked schools. So far, Bishkek continues to resist.

","In Kyrgyzstan, Erdogan Again Warns of Gulen Network Coup",{"_24":207,"_53":208,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":209},"-LND1wMF7sbhst_FCf5j","

Ethnic Kazakhs have opened the window for the world to hear what’s happening in Xinjiang, but Kazakhstan remains quiet.

","Kazakhstan and the Xinjiang Problem",{"_24":211,"_53":212,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":213},"-LND1wMHMw2F6PABJvJG","

As Uzbekistan’s police force undergoes reform, China is a major international partner in the effort.

","Uzbekistan Looks to China for Policing Experience",{"_24":215,"_53":216,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":217},"-LND1wMHMw2F6PABJvJH","

Ilyas Khrapunov is hit with a $500 million fine for allegedly aiding Mukhtar Ablyazov’s reported embezzlement.

","UK Court Slaps Huge Fine on Khrapunov in BTA Case",{"_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},"-LND1wMJHWWjVit30hK9","

Large labor shortages or not, the promotion of a new agricultural labor visa was bound to upset unconsulted Pacific Island countries.

","An Agricultural Visa and Australia’s Pacific Mess",{"_24":228,"_53":229,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":230},"-LND1wMKer987MXRlBiq","

The party’s internal meltdown is rooted in the tensions inherent to its liberal and conservative roots.

","What Happened to Australia’s Liberal Party?",{"_24":232,"_53":233,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":234},"-LND1wMM8IggdkMLXbeO","

In the Pacific, climate change is an existential threat. Australia’s domestic unease on the issue hinders its foreign policy.

","Australia’s Domestic Politics Hamstrings Its Pacific Foreign Policy",{"_24":236,"_53":237,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":238},"-LND1wMPU2z05Ye4xB4r","

The new Morrison government isn’t likely to change course on its predecessor’s efforts to lower the temperature in Australia-China relations.

","Why Australia's New Government Won't Change Course on China",{"_24":240,"_46":37,"_26":241,"_49":242},"USA","US in Asia",[243,247,251],{"_24":244,"_53":245,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":246},"-LND1wMRX3Cyb3nBK3Pn","

The Trump administration has crossed an important milestone on defense cooperation with India.

","Making Moves on Defense With India",{"_24":248,"_53":249,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":250},"-LND1wMSzYaKalH-nwT-","

Washington is debating Russia and China policy separately. It needs to consider the emerging Russia-China axis.

","When Will Closer China-Russia Cooperation Impact US Policy Debate?",{"_24":252,"_53":253,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":254},"-LND1wMUnoozAQq4CwqW","

A look at how the Taiwanese public evaluates the Trump administration’s commitment to Taiwan.

","What Does Taiwan Think of the US Factor in Cross-Strait Relations?",{"_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},"-LND1wMYL-mU1gR9hFM-","

The Russian-made S-400 air defense system has become of one world’s most controversial air defense system – principally for political reasons.

","India’s Controversial Defense Deal with Russia",{"_24":265,"_53":266,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":267},"-LND1wMZuODmMmDMqFZE","

Japan is going electromagnetic, with implications for Japanese security policy and the U.S. regional strategy.

","Japan Gears Up for Electronic Warfare",{"_24":269,"_53":270,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":271},"-LND1wMa3DEmGkkdSKUR","

Are the French and British navies here to stay in the South China Sea?

","Are France and the UK Here to Stay in the South China Sea?",{"_24":273,"_53":274,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":275},"-LND1wMbkaGx_m8tjdpK","

China and Russia are sending a message to the U.S. – and to each other – with their display of military might.

","Vostok 2018: Russia and China’s Diverging Common Interests",{"_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},"-LND1wMeyqhqUBE0Diob","

Bhagwan Rajneesh (Osho) was a godman that did not believe in God, a spiritual materialist, and a traditional heretic.

","The Rich Man’s Guru: Osho and Wild Wild Country",{"_24":286,"_53":287,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":288},"-LNDlUv0sMkRYDEy2ATT","

Jiufen’s A-Mei Teahouse may not have inspired Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, but fans visit in droves anyway.

","From Film to Reality: How Fans Find Their Fantasy Worlds",{"_24":290,"_53":291,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":292},"-LND1wMgopyc31svw4Cu","

Just like symbols, colors are a part of a party’s image.

","Paint It Saffron: The Colors of Indian Political Parties","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]