[{"_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","2020-01","path","/2020-01","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-Lwr3Fpb0bOX8uOYbPEZ","title","The Asia-Pacific in 2020: What to Expect","description","Welcome to the January 2020 issue of The Diplomat. This month we look ahead at the key trends that will define the Asia-Pacific region in 2020. We also analyze the diplomatic and economic impact of the RCEP mega trade deal, recap the latest ups and downs of China’s Belt and Road in South Asia, and take a hard look at the future of Cambodia’s political opposition. 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 200
\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 Editors\n Ankit Panda
\n Franz-Stefan Gady
\n Prashanth Parameswaran\n

\n Contributing Editors\nNick Aspinwall
\nErin Cook
\nRobert Farley
\nKyle Ferrier
\nCharlotte Gao
\nJenna Gibson
\nBonnie Girard
\nUmida Hashimova
\nLuke Hunt
\nDaniel Hurst
\nUmair Jamal
\nTae-jun Kang
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nMina Pollmann
\nMong Palatino
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nTroy Stangarone
\nSteven Stashwick
\nThisanka Siripala
\nYuki Tatsumi
\nAman Thakker
\nColleen Wood
\nGrant Wyeth
\n

\n Technical & Design\n Stefan Yanku\n

","number",62,"date","January 2020","month",1,"year",2020,"status","rdy","toc",[44,59,67,84,93,118,143,168,193,218,239,256,277],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"LTR","priority",0,"Letter","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":58},"-Lwr3H8L5-DIRVWxpoQ0","lead","

In a new year, Asia’s old problems will continue to rankle.

","model","story","preview","Letter From the Editors",{"_24":60,"_46":37,"_26":61,"_49":62},"CVRS","Cover Story",[63],{"_24":64,"_53":65,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":66},"-Lwr3H8UDuaw2I0V6Lr8","

The Diplomat looks at the trends to watch across the region in the coming year.

","The Asia-Pacific in 2020: What to Expect?",{"_24":68,"_46":69,"_26":70,"_49":71},"LDS",2,"Leads",[72,76,80],{"_24":73,"_53":74,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":75},"-Lwr3H8WuFdiEmWlfhEA","

The final conclusion of negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was a landmark achievement for ASEAN.

","What RCEP Means for the Indo-Pacific",{"_24":77,"_53":78,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":79},"-Lwr3H8X3NtEUdebjERG","

2019 may go down as the year China’s massive Belt and Road project lost its shine for South Asian partners.

","A Bumpy Road Ahead for China in South Asia",{"_24":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-Lwr3H8Z4KqQv9nuxu54","

Tales of the CNRP’s demise have so far been greatly exaggerated, but the clock is ticking.

","Can Cambodia’s Opposition Survive?",{"_24":85,"_46":86,"_26":87,"_49":88},"INT",3,"Interview",[89],{"_24":90,"_53":91,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":92},"-Lwr3H92jgq0StwdYU_2","

A preliminary deal may be on the way, but neither side can truly declare victory.

","Sara Hsu on the US-China Trade War",{"_24":94,"_46":95,"_26":96,"_49":97},"CHN",4,"China",[98,102,106,110,114],{"_24":99,"_53":100,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":101},"-Lwr3H941J88kn54W9zI","

Arguably the biggest China story of 2019, the massive protests in Hong Kong will continue to reverberate in the new year.

","Hong Kong 2020: What to Watch",{"_24":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":105},"-Lwr3H95WOkUUhw2VbMO","

Until passage and implementation the Uyghur Human Rights Act is just a reproach. But it’s an important signal.

","The US Congress and the Uyghurs",{"_24":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":109},"-Lwr3H98kFTzTuA4juvL","

How Hong Kong’s rising “Yellow Economy” sustains its pro-democracy movement.

","‘Buy Yellow, Eat Yellow’: The Economic Arm of Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Protests",{"_24":111,"_53":112,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":113},"-Lwr3H99pH-_7aokd7mi","

Taipei prosecutors have raided multiple travel agencies for allegedly facilitating the illegal entry of Chinese government officials into Taiwan.

","Taiwan Probes Alleged Visa Scam as Concerns Mount Over Chinese Election Influence",{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-Lwr3H9BNsFwh5btv4vT","

Is China scrambling to stem a manufacturing exodus as the trade war continues?

","A Manufacturing Exodus in China – Fact or Fiction?",{"_24":119,"_46":120,"_26":121,"_49":122},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[123,127,131,135,139],{"_24":124,"_53":125,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":126},"-Lwr3H9Dmu5HYCnm3j2w","

North Korea’s recent moves are far from what South Korean President Moon Jae-in led his people to expect.

","Has Moon Jae-in’s North Korean Policy Lost Its Momentum?",{"_24":128,"_53":129,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":130},"-Lwr3H9E3f3JvC2NJ63c","

During World War II, common interests resulted in an odd partnership and some odder decision-making.

","Why Imperial Japan Backed Indian Independence Fighters",{"_24":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":134},"-Lwr3H9Gq4YQoDkxUIdN","

The future of RCEP depends on how the Japanese government will approach India’s withdrawal.

","Has Japan Become the Kingmaker for Trade Deals in the Indo-Pacific?",{"_24":136,"_53":137,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":138},"-Lwr3H9HUx_CPTEbonS2","

Three high-profile deaths in Korea reignite discussions around privacy, prosecution, and mental health.

","Korea Wakes up to the Deadly Consequences of Spy Cams and Cyberbullying",{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-Lwr3H9JdhdDwxRnWakh","

Two recent changes highlight the multifaceted role the JCG will continue to play in Japan’s defenses.

","The Ever-Evolving Importance of Japan’s Coast Guard",{"_24":144,"_46":145,"_26":146,"_49":147},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[148,152,156,160,164],{"_24":149,"_53":150,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":151},"-Lwr3H9xD4OTWe_xlN0G","

A new book examines the historical development and present state of civil-military relations in India.

","Soldiers, Bureaucrats, and Statesmen: India’s Civil-Military Balance",{"_24":153,"_53":154,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":155},"-Lwr3H9zmUhE7M_ElpYE","

Daily newspaper Etilaat Roz makes an impact in the chaotic Afghan democracy.

","Afghanistan’s Investigative Journalists",{"_24":157,"_53":158,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":159},"-Lwr3HA-evsrd05dGQ9w","

As the climate emergency brings rising seas, Gwadar’s Ganz village is losing the battle after centuries of existence.

","Near Disaster: Gwadar’s Little Village Faces a Crumbling Coastline",{"_24":161,"_53":162,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":163},"-Lwr3HA1gfYF-0nMnTl7","

The Saudi push to spread Wahhabism is contributing to the Maldives’ startling radicalization.

","Violent Extremism in the Maldives: The Saudi Factor",{"_24":165,"_53":166,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-Lwr3HA3GBviSXL9SNN0","

Religious nationalism influenced Sri Lanka’s election results — and that influence is not going away anytime soon.

","Sri Lanka’s Election Results Reveal a Divided Country",{"_24":169,"_46":170,"_26":171,"_49":172},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[173,177,181,185,189],{"_24":174,"_53":175,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":176},"-Lwr3HA4T62MJMABD1ht","

While the ruling party has dominated the country since its independence, there continues to be speculation about how it will fare in the next polls.

","Singapore’s Next Election: How Tough Will be PAP’s Fight Be?",{"_24":178,"_53":179,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":180},"-Lwr3HA58Cswtn84W4p2","

Another shift in the Philippine president’s position has once again put the peace process in the spotlight.

","Has Duterte Really Played His Last Peace Card With the Communist Rebels?",{"_24":182,"_53":183,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":184},"-Lwr3HA6wqLdqywWDgxd","

Vietnam’s new cybersecurity law suggests that the government is attempting to follow China’s model of internet control.

","Vietnam’s Internet Control: Following in China’s Footsteps?",{"_24":186,"_53":187,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":188},"-Lwr3HA8uOHiAIltKqBf","

What to make of Kuala Lumpur’s new claim to an extended continental shelf in the South China Sea.

","Malaysia’s New Game in the South China Sea",{"_24":190,"_53":191,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":192},"-Lwr3HAAyJ5XeBa40X_E","

Thanathorn’s removal foreshadows a sinister dismantling of opposition using a façade of checks and balances.

","For Thailand’s Progressives, It’s Been a Year of Trials and Tribulations",{"_24":194,"_46":195,"_26":196,"_49":197},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[198,202,206,210,214],{"_24":199,"_53":200,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":201},"-Lwr3HABP5d_UDhNuGMu","

What is the state of work on the 1,800-kilometer pipeline as the decade comes to a close?

","Time for a TAPI Update",{"_24":203,"_53":204,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":205},"-Lwr3HADQZdetpECZq7N","

Despite its regional outreach, Kazakhstan’s diplomatic priority will remain Russia, China, and Europe.

","Kazakhstan: Reaching Out to Central Asian Neighbors",{"_24":207,"_53":208,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":209},"-Lwr3HAE4NtbzB165Ukh","

Some voters in Tashkent have high hopes while others are more cynical that the flashy election will result in a new kind of politics.

","After a Smooth Election, Real Challenges Still Ahead for Uzbekistan",{"_24":211,"_53":212,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":213},"-Lwr3HAF1epq-yVE2ODT","

Individuals implicated in massive corruption exposed in a recent joint investigation by RFE/RL’s Radio Azattyk, OCCRP, and Kloop have hit back with a lawsuit.

","After Exposing Corruption, Media Under Pressure in Kyrgyzstan",{"_24":215,"_53":216,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":217},"-Lwr3HAGTC1-jqqto0Xo","

The second consultative meeting of Central Asian leaders sidestepped regional issues, but annual meetings are assured to continue.

","Central Asian Presidents’ Second Consultative Meeting Zooms in on Water, Trade, and Regional Cooperation",{"_24":219,"_46":220,"_26":221,"_49":222},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[223,227,231,235],{"_24":224,"_53":225,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":226},"-Lwr3HAIEnpNh6wU4irY","

Pacific nations score well in media freedom indexes, but journalists in the region face intimidation, blackmail, and assault.

","Press Freedom at Risk in the Pacific",{"_24":228,"_53":229,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":230},"-Lwr3HAJ0iXTd-IYrDi5","

An Australian state government has launched a comprehensive strategy for engagement with Asian nations.

","Going Their Own Way: Western Australia’s Asia Strategy",{"_24":232,"_53":233,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":234},"-Lwr3HALHmXYmvtKTmYQ","

Being able to identify areas of mutual interest and find ways to cooperate with Indonesia has been a long-standing hope for Australia.

","Why Australia Seeks Deeper Relations With Indonesia",{"_24":236,"_53":237,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":238},"-Lwr3HAM8B2sYBZhmtXS","

As Bougainville edges nearer to independence, Australia and China play a familiar game.

","Australia, China, and Bougainville’s Choices",{"_24":240,"_46":241,"_26":242,"_49":243},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[244,248,252],{"_24":245,"_53":246,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":247},"-Lwr3HAP9ogB_V6Tx_2P","

The Trump administration’s fictions around diplomacy with North Korea are quickly crumbling.

","A Return to Korean Crisis?",{"_24":249,"_53":250,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":251},"-Lwr3HAQAlO-9xyj71L7","

If the Trump administration is going to insist on putting a dollar value on the costs of the alliance, it should also consider the gains in monetary terms.

","How Much Is the US-South Korea Alliance Worth?",{"_24":253,"_53":254,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":255},"-Lwr3HARCnonpL3spYIO","

Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and the BJP appear to be all-in on implementing several controversial domestic measures. Should that matter for the U.S.-India relationship?

","Modi’s ‘New India’ and the US-India Relationship: Turbulence Ahead?",{"_24":257,"_46":258,"_26":259,"_49":260},"SCR",11,"Security",[261,265,269,273],{"_24":262,"_53":263,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":264},"-Lwr3HAUqZ5oCVrnt6xN","

The U.S. Navy is working on a transition to more unmanned vessels. First up: an anti-submarine drone ship that will be capable of autonomously tracking Chinese submarines.

","The U.S. Navy’s New Robotic Ship for Tracking Chinese Subs",{"_24":266,"_53":267,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-Lwr3HAV-Ey3y1fn10Nh","

China and many African countries have converging interests in ensuring a stable, secure, and peaceful Africa.

","China in Africa’s Peace and Security Landscape",{"_24":270,"_53":271,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":272},"-Lwr3HAWutsxNV083fuc","

Japan has a responsibility to spearhead discussions on the legal regulation of lethal autonomous weapons systems.

","Clash of Killer Robots? Japan’s Role in Preventing AI Apocalypse",{"_24":274,"_53":275,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":276},"-Lwr3HAXWniPmfCKifVi","

Under Duterte, the Philippine Coast Guard has taken on a new prominence. But don’t assume Manila is resorting to gray zone tactics.

","Duterte’s Coast Guard Diplomacy",{"_24":278,"_46":279,"_26":280,"_49":281},"ASL",12,"Asia Life",[282,286,290],{"_24":283,"_53":284,"_55":56,"_57":37,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":285},"-Lwr3HAaMDFwRIVMGVoo","

The popularity of a fake new story shows what kinds of religious imagery are readily embraced by the Indian public.

","Holy Men, Fake News: The (False) Story of Kailaasa",{"_24":287,"_53":288,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":289},"-Lwr3HAbymLAYB-2BIJL","

Filmmaker Kazuhiro Soda broke from mainstream documentary production to give his viewers the power of observation.

","On Capturing Everyday Life: A Conversation with Kazuhiro Soda",{"_24":291,"_53":292,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":293},"-Lwr3HAcDUFXSyfpCRo9","

After coming out from the shadow of security concerns, Pakistan’s musicians face a more mundane challenge: money.

","Pakistan’s Rock ‘n Roll Resurgence","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]