[{"_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","2022-06","path","/2022-06","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-N2yvVKVghyTRe5HWawd","title","Japan’s Tangled Territorial Dispute With Russia","description","Welcome to the June 2022 issue of The Diplomat. This month, our cover story revisits the unresolved dispute resulting from the Soviet invasion of Japan’s northernmost islands in the waning days of World War II. We also analyze how Hong Kong has changed during Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s five-year term, unveil new details on the alleged leader of Islamic State’s Southeast Asia branch, and shine a light on the latest round of violence in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. And, of course, we offer a range of reporting, analysis, and opinion from across the region.","masthead","

\n Publisher\n Diplomat Media, Inc.
\n 3033 Wilson Blvd
\n Suite 700
\n Arlington, VA 22201
\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 Southeast Asia Editor\n Sebastian Strangio\n

\n South Asia Editor\n Sudha Ramachandran\n

\n Contributing Editors\nKavita Chowdhury
\nNiha Dagia
\nBonnie Girard
\nJames Guild
\nUmida Hashimova
\nBrian Hioe
\nSara Hsu
\nLuke Hunt
\nUmair Jamal
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nRathindra Kuruwita
\nJongsoo Lee
\nJoshua Mcdonald
\nShafi Md Mostofa
\nPatricia O’Brien
\nMong Palatino
\nJacob Parakilas
\nSantosh Sharma Poudel
\nRajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
\nTita Sanglee
\nMitch Shin
\nThisanka Siripala
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nTroy Stangarone
\nYuki Tatsumi
\nColleen Wood
\nGrant Wyeth\n

\n Design & Code\n Stefan Yanku\n

","number",91,"date","June 2022","month",6,"year",2022,"status","rdy","toc",[44,60,67,84,93,118,143,167,192,217,238,255,276],{"_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},"-N2yvfVUuJUOe8yJVnsd","lead","

History may be written by the victors, but some voices persist in remembering – and mourning – that which was lost.

","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},"-N2yvfVZ2i2B7BGfUtos","

In northernmost Hokkaido, residents can easily see Russian-held islands that once belonged to Japan. Some still hold out hope for the islands’ return.

",{"_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},"-N2yvfV_9ivlAtVeGy2R","

Carrie Lam leaves behind a new Hong Kong: less free, less capable, and more dependent on the mainland.

","Carrie Lam’s Legacy",{"_24":77,"_53":78,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":79},"-N2yvfVaOueM1MaH1i-1","

What do we know about the man supposedly leading Islamic State’s East Asia branch?

","The New Face of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia",{"_24":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-N2yvfVaOueM1MaH1i-2","

The latest outbreak of violence in GBAO followed six months of tensions after nearly 30 years of both pressure and government neglect.

","The Pamir Powderkeg",{"_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},"-N2yvfVbCaURP8ii4E-P","

“Pakistan and Sri Lanka have experienced the most political tumult in South Asia, and in both cases it’s been driven by economic stress.”

","Michael Kugelman",{"_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},"-N2yvfVqn5xBrsknYa16","

China’s much-vaunted framework for engaging with Central and Eastern Europe turned 10 earlier this year – but instead of the customary celebrations there was a resounding silence.

","Whatever Happened to China’s ‘17+1’ Platform?",{"_24":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":105},"-N2yvfVqn5xBrsknYa17","

What will the new Labor Party government mean for China?

","China and Australia’s New Government",{"_24":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":109},"-N2yvfVrZ2Zeg9CxpYTS","

Past precedent suggests the Chinese leader is willing to deprioritize growth to focus on more urgent goals, but only as long as he is supported by a sufficient economic cushion.

","How Long Can Xi Prioritize ‘Zero COVID’ over the Economy?",{"_24":111,"_53":112,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":113},"-N2yvfVrZ2Zeg9CxpYTT","

A lesson from 1956 continues to affect China’s understanding of political security – especially as the CCP’s own 20th Congress draws near.

","Why the Soviet Union’s 20th Party Congress Continues to Haunt China",{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-N2yvfVsTYphbdBcO2oK","

How long will the region’s smaller, cash-strapped countries be able to remain aligned with Taipei?

","Taiwan Fights for Its Diplomatic Survival in Latin America",{"_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},"-N2yvfVtOg3aKzscQCeb","

What the pomp and circumstance of the inauguration ceremony tells us about the new Yoon administration – and South Korea’s democracy overall.

","Parsing South Korea’s Presidential Inauguration",{"_24":128,"_53":129,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":130},"-N2yvfVtOg3aKzscQCec","

The U.S. president’s first visit to Japan since taking office notched several key wins – for Biden and his Japanese counterpart.

","Biden’s First Trip to Japan",{"_24":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":134},"-N2yvfVuXiyhFS12Roqh","

How bad might North Korea’s first COVID-19 outbreak get, and what options does the international community have in responding?

","What Comes Next in North Korea’s Battle With Omicron?",{"_24":136,"_53":137,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":138},"-N2yvfVuXiyhFS12Roqi","

U.S. President Joe Biden visited South Korea from May 20 to May 22 and discussed regional issues with new South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.

","Yoon and Biden Hold 1st Summit Meeting in Seoul",{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-N2yvfVvfbUE2u5HrOvH","

The Russia-Ukraine War has only accelerated the deepening defense ties between Canberra and Tokyo. Will the two countries consider a formal alliance?

","Will Australia and Japan Move Beyond the ‘Quasi-Alliance’?",{"_24":144,"_46":37,"_26":145,"_49":146},"SOA","South Asia",[147,151,155,159,163],{"_24":148,"_53":149,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":150},"-N2yvfVvfbUE2u5HrOvI","

One-third of Indian women have suffered some form of violence at home, according to the latest National Family Health Survey.

","Almost Half of India’s Population Believes Spousal Violence Is Fine",{"_24":152,"_53":153,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":154},"-N2yvfVwpoftPkjF5D7j","

To remove or not remove fuel subsidies is the big question confronting Pakistan’s new government.

","Pakistan’s Economy on the Brink of Collapse",{"_24":156,"_53":157,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":158},"-N2yvfVwpoftPkjF5D7k","

The Taliban are pursuing the same top-down governance and public finance management system that has failed Afghanistan for two decades.

","More Than Aid, Afghanistan Needs an Aid Management System",{"_24":160,"_53":161,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":162},"-N2yvfVxhczzFtoX9_-B","

The decline of the Rajapaksas has adversely hit Chinese fortunes in the Indian Ocean island and sullied its image among other Belt and Road partners.

","Sri Lanka’s Meltdown Puts China’s Strategic Influence in Jeopardy",{"_24":164,"_53":165,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":166},"-N2yvfVxhczzFtoX9_-C","

Imran Khan’s narrative of conspiracy and regime change is a symptom, not a cause, of anti-American sentiments in Pakistan.

","Anti-Americanism in Pakistan",{"_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},"-N2yvfVyhBVn20RDRiG1","

The conduct and outcome of the commune elections will give some sense of how much political space the CPP intends to permit.

","Watching Cambodia’s Commune Elections",{"_24":177,"_53":178,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":179},"-N2yvfVyhBVn20RDRiG2","

The president-elect, who wants ties with China to “shift to higher gear” under his presidency, may revive his predecessor’s early high-stakes diplomacy tactics.

","How Will Marcos Define His Foreign Policy?",{"_24":181,"_53":182,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":183},"-N2yvfVzF8ugNpJzBHm_","

Conservatives fear that a recent decision to make history a high school elective will erode the “national consciousness” of the young.

","History Education and the Politics of Identity in a Globalizing Vietnam",{"_24":185,"_53":186,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":187},"-N2yvfVzF8ugNpJzBHma","

Canberra is the latest government to downgrade its diplomatic mission to the military-ruled country.

","Australia to Downgrade Diplomatic Representation in Myanmar: Report",{"_24":189,"_53":190,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":191},"-N2yvfW--Jv9hqayk5jD","

President Jokowi claims that the country now has enough domestic supplies of cooking oil to control runaway price rises.

","Indonesia to Scrap Controversial Palm Oil Export Ban",{"_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},"-N2yvfW--Jv9hqayk5jE","

Russia’s war in Ukraine is generating increasing opportunities for Turkey in Central Asia.

","In Central Asia, Russia’s Losses Are Turkey’s Opportunities",{"_24":202,"_53":203,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":204},"-N2yvfW0ySWumGNZ3Re7","

In April, Turkmen authorities began cracking down on salons, enforcing a ban on a range of beauty services.

","Turkmenistan Takes Policing Women’s Bodies to the Next Level",{"_24":206,"_53":207,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":208},"-N2yvfW0ySWumGNZ3Re8","

ISKP’s expanded media campaign seeks to recruit ethnic Tajik and nationals as well as incite militant violence against Tajikistan.

","Islamic State in Afghanistan Looks to Recruit Regional Tajiks, Inflict Violence Against Tajikistan",{"_24":210,"_53":211,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":212},"-N2yvfW1JZwpa0f_R1mq","

Kazakhstan is, indeed, looking at Ukraine carefully and thinking seriously.

","‘Look at Ukraine’: Russian Commentator Threatens Kazakhstan",{"_24":214,"_53":215,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_40":41,"_26":216},"-N2yvfW1JZwpa0f_R1mr","

Uzbekistan is leveraging its partnership with China to address the logistical and geographic challenges it faces.

","China and Uzbekistan: An Emerging Development Partnership?",{"_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},"-N2yvfW1JZwpa0f_R1ms","

Labor managed to win government in last month’s Australian federal election, but voters are clearly wary of the country’s two major parties.

","Of Teal Independents and Greens: Australia’s Diversifying Political Stage",{"_24":227,"_53":228,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":229},"-N2yvfW2bUJ422QvTqAc","

A look at China’s goals and the domestic politics of the deal in the Solomons.

","What Do China and Solomon Islands Get From Their Security Pact?",{"_24":231,"_53":232,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":233},"-N2yvfW2bUJ422QvTqAd","

Engagement with the growing Hindu community is essential for Australian politicians, but there is an obvious tightrope to walk.

","Do Australian Politicians Know the Difference Between Hinduism and Hindutva?",{"_24":235,"_53":236,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":237},"-N2yvfW3m-MPZOrc6eZ-","

French Polynesia, with its strategic location and massive EEZ, will play a key role in France’s Indo-Pacific policy.

","French Polynesia and France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy",{"_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},"-N2yvfW4Y7Mk7deHKrU6","

While Washington is fully aware of China’s growing influence in the Pacific Islands, actual actions to mitigate the situation have been less forthcoming.

","Can the US Respond to the Pacific’s Rise and Woes?",{"_24":248,"_53":249,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":250},"-N2yvfW4Y7Mk7deHKrU7","

Instead of seeking to transform China, the Biden administration is content to see China’s foreign and domestic policies hamper its competitiveness.

","In the China-US Competition, Xi Jinping’s Loss Is Biden’s Gain",{"_24":252,"_53":253,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":254},"-N2yvfW4Y7Mk7deHKrU8","

The meeting fulfilled its purpose as a symbolic statement of American commitment, but came up short on the specifics.

","Assessing the Outcomes of the US-ASEAN Special Summit",{"_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},"-N2yvfW6zQwz2xs9_IDg","

The confidence-building and conflict-management MoU continues to be held up as a positive example. Where does it stand today?

","Looking Back at the 1999 India-Pakistan Lahore Declaration",{"_24":265,"_53":266,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":267},"-N2yvfW6zQwz2xs9_IDh","

At what point does the pressure generated and sustained by gray zone campaigns escalate?

","Shadow Risk: How Gray Zone Campaigns Can Escalate",{"_24":269,"_53":270,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":271},"-N2yvfW6zQwz2xs9_IDi","

Replicating Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Force is not legally or politically feasible in Taiwan – at least for now.

","Why Taiwan Can’t Copy Ukraine’s Civil Defense Blueprint",{"_24":273,"_53":274,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_40":41,"_26":275},"-N2yvfW7npy2vLyU-B1M","

New data on violent trends in Afghanistan shows a marked shift in terrorism and violence toward women, journalists, and educators under Taliban rule.

","As the World Looks Away, Violence Is on the Rise Again in Afghanistan",{"_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},"-N2yvfW7npy2vLyU-B1O","

India’s past influence in Southeast Asia could be showcased more as a case of benign power.

","An Empire Without Colonies: On Indian Influence in Southeast Asia",{"_24":286,"_53":287,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_40":41,"_26":288},"-N2yvfW8R-13P2Yl6Cf8","

Obsessed with South Korean dramas, Vietnamese youths are oblivious to the atrocities committed by Korean soldiers during the Vietnam War. But their elders remember.

","K-Dramas Resurrect Long-Buried Memories in Vietnam",{"_24":290,"_53":291,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":69,"_40":41,"_26":292},"-N2yvfW8R-13P2Yl6Cf9","

A viral lockdown trend illustrates some of China’s attitudes to international relations and people-to-people diplomacy – including persistent stereotypes.

","The Shanghai Lockdown’s Viral Trend: ‘African Warrior’ Videos","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]