[{"_1":2,"_341":-5,"_342":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_339":340},"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","2023-02","path","/2023-02","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-NMXxJxnFrdSSLJ9iQlX","title","Beyond the Putin-Xi Relationship","description","Welcome to the February 2023 issue of The Diplomat. This month, our cover story examines the factors driving Sino-Russian convergence – starting, but by no means ending, with the relationship between their presidents. We also reveal how great power competition is empowering the Islamic State in Afghanistan, revisit the rise and fall of Thailand’s pro-democracy protest movement, and scrutinize the potential of Pakistan-Russia relations. 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
\nBonnie Girard
\nShihoko Goto
\nJames Guild
\nBrian Hioe
\nSara Hsu
\nLuke Hunt
\nUmair Jamal
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nRathindra Kuruwita
\nShafi Md Mostofa
\nPatricia O’Brien
\nMina Pollmann
\nMong Palatino
\nSantosh Sharma Poudel
\nRajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
\nTita Sanglee
\nMitch Shin
\nThisanka Siripala
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nTroy Stangarone
\nTakahashi Kosuke
\nGrant Wyeth\n

\n Design & Code\n Stefan Yanku\n

","number",99,"date","February 2023","month",2,"year",2023,"status","rdy","toc",[44,61,70,89,99,129,159,189,219,249,274,294,319],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"LTR","priority",0,"Letter","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":59,"_40":41,"_26":60},"-NMXxKRsnFABY7e3gHBV","lead","

As geopolitical currents swirl, and great powers clash, Asia is feeling the impact.

","model","story","preview",1,"letter-from-the-editors","Letter from the Editors",{"_24":62,"_46":58,"_26":63,"_49":64},"CVRS","Cover Story",[65],{"_24":66,"_53":67,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":68,"_40":41,"_26":69},"-NMXxKRvMSpxQNdTfKaL","

While the Putin-Xi friendship is important, it mostly oils the wheels of a relationship driven by longer-term structural trends.

","beyond-the-putin-xi-relationship-china-russia-and-great-power-politics","Beyond the Putin-Xi Relationship: China, Russia, and Great Power Politics",{"_24":71,"_46":37,"_26":72,"_49":73},"LDS","Leads",[74,79,84],{"_24":75,"_53":76,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":77,"_40":41,"_26":78},"-NMXxKS24TkDU4v5gi9v","

The Islamic State sees great opportunity in the churn of great power competition, with ISKP at the forefront of its vision of international jihad.

","islamic-state-khorasan-global-jihad-in-a-multipolar-world","Islamic State Khorasan: Global Jihad in a Multipolar World",{"_24":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":82,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-NMXxKS3xyo68-D9NsRN","

With street politics halted and parliamentary politics effectively on hold until the election, Thailand feels in limbo.

","the-ebb-and-flow-of-protest-in-thailand","The Ebb and Flow of Protest in Thailand",{"_24":85,"_53":86,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":37,"_18":87,"_40":41,"_26":88},"-NMXxKS3xyo68-D9NsRO","

There are strategic, economic, and geopolitical reasons for Islamabad to prefer ties with Washington over Moscow.

","do-pakistan-russia-ties-have-a-future","Do Pakistan-Russia Ties Have a Future?",{"_24":90,"_46":91,"_26":92,"_49":93},"INT",3,"Interview",[94],{"_24":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":97,"_40":41,"_26":98},"-NMXxKS4ya-_FogOfkkZ","

Anwar “made himself ‘a bridge’ between different groups of people and ideas… it comes with the risk of being hated by all.”

","noor-amin-ahmad","Noor Amin Ahmad",{"_24":100,"_46":101,"_26":102,"_49":103},"CHN",4,"China",[104,109,114,119,124],{"_24":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":107,"_40":41,"_26":108},"-NMXxKS5OHb97Kv3AEG8","

China has a new foreign minister, and its most famous “wolf warrior” has been pushed aside.

","a-tale-of-2-diplomats-is-chinas-foreign-policy-changing","A Tale of 2 Diplomats: Is China’s Foreign Policy Changing?",{"_24":110,"_53":111,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":112,"_40":41,"_26":113},"-NMXxKS5OHb97Kv3AEG9","

China and Russia enjoyed a high-profile bromance once before. It didn’t last.

","xi-and-putin-mao-and-stalin","Xi and Putin, Mao and Stalin",{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":117,"_40":41,"_26":118},"-NMXxKS6ukoSBzvKVsx-","

2 years after its IPO was scuttled, Ant Group is finally being allowed to increase its capital – with several caveats.

","the-continuing-saga-of-chinas-ant-group","The Continuing Saga of China’s Ant Group",{"_24":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":91,"_18":122,"_40":41,"_26":123},"-NMXxKS6ukoSBzvKVsx0","

Chai Cheng’s case is one of the latest chapters in the frustrated struggle of China’s LGBTQ community to obtain legal protection against discrimination.

","what-a-gay-flight-attendants-lost-discrimination-case-says-about-lgbtq-rights-in-china","What a Gay Flight Attendant’s Lost Discrimination Case Says About LGBTQ Rights in China",{"_24":125,"_53":126,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":101,"_18":127,"_40":41,"_26":128},"-NMXxKS70JqHTku_3iXH","

Safeguarding a free and open internet will help support China’s brave protesters.

","chinese-protesters-and-the-global-internet-need-one-another","Chinese Protesters and the Global Internet Need One Another",{"_24":130,"_46":131,"_26":132,"_49":133},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[134,139,144,149,154],{"_24":135,"_53":136,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":137,"_40":41,"_26":138},"-NMXxKS70JqHTku_3iXI","

Since North Korea’s state media called Kim’s daughter his “most beloved child,” there has been speculation – and disagreement – over the possibility of her becoming his heir.

","is-kim-jong-un-preparing-his-daughter-as-his-successor","Is Kim Jong Un Preparing His Daughter As His Successor?",{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":142,"_40":41,"_26":143},"-NMXxKS70JqHTku_3iXJ","

Most Japanese see the need for an increased defense budget – but are less keen on the proposals to fund the new spending.

","japans-defense-spending-conundrum","Japan’s Defense Spending Conundrum",{"_24":145,"_53":146,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":147,"_40":41,"_26":148},"-NMXxKS8uyddclCaaeEU","

South Korea’s ruling conservative party has amended its charter to only allow votes from PPP members in selecting new party leadership.

","people-power-party-changes-voting-rules-ahead-of-chair-election","People Power Party Changes Voting Rules Ahead of Chair Election",{"_24":150,"_53":151,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":91,"_18":152,"_40":41,"_26":153},"-NMXxKS8uyddclCaaeEV","

After a decade in the political wilderness, the Constitutional Democratic Party is trying to broaden its appeal – but its base is not pleased.

","japans-largest-opposition-party-seeks-moderation-but-the-base-disagrees","Japan’s Largest Opposition Party Seeks Moderation, But the Base Disagrees",{"_24":155,"_53":156,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":101,"_18":157,"_40":41,"_26":158},"-NMXxKS8uyddclCaaeEW","

The Unification Church and North Korea are closely linked, despite the church’s adamant anti-communist stance.

","the-unification-church-japan-and-north-korea","The Unification Church, Japan, and North Korea",{"_24":160,"_46":161,"_26":162,"_49":163},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[164,169,174,179,184],{"_24":165,"_53":166,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":167,"_40":41,"_26":168},"-NMXxKS9wm8qVRA7YUmQ","

But shutting off the terror tap requires more. New Delhi must talk to Pakistan – and engage the Kashmiri people.

","india-bans-2-militant-groups-in-kashmir","India Bans 2 Militant Groups in Kashmir",{"_24":170,"_53":171,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":172,"_40":41,"_26":173},"-NMXxKS9wm8qVRA7YUmR","

The plan was partially implemented a decade ago but failed to focus on ideologies that fuel terrorism. That will need to change.

","pakistans-national-action-plan-to-fight-militancy-is-back-on-the-table","Pakistan’s National Action Plan to Fight Militancy Is Back on the Table",{"_24":175,"_53":176,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":177,"_40":41,"_26":178},"-NMXxKSAubIGu672Nr_l","

The new government cannot delay any longer the implementation of BRI projects and its decisions on India’s Agnipath scheme.

","nepal-pms-foreign-policy-plate-is-full","Nepal PM’s Foreign Policy Plate Is Full",{"_24":180,"_53":181,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":91,"_18":182,"_40":41,"_26":183},"-NMXxKSAubIGu672Nr_m","

The Supreme Court ruled that despite having actionable intelligence, former President Sirisena and top officials did not act to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

","a-damning-indictment-of-sri-lankas-political-and-security-establishment","A Damning Indictment of Sri Lanka’s Political and Security Establishment",{"_24":185,"_53":186,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":101,"_18":187,"_40":41,"_26":188},"-NMXxKSAubIGu672Nr_n","

The clash in late 2022 revealed much about the future direction of Sino-Indian relations.

","the-true-significance-of-the-china-india-yangtse-clash","The True Significance of the China-India Yangtse Clash",{"_24":190,"_46":191,"_26":192,"_49":193},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[194,199,204,209,214],{"_24":195,"_53":196,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":197,"_40":41,"_26":198},"-NMXxKSBaAVfRzjPyLN3","

Foreign policy in Vietnam is not set by any single individual, even if prominent officials can often leave their imprint.

","what-impact-will-vietnams-political-turbulence-have-on-its-foreign-relations","What Impact Will Vietnam’s Political Turbulence Have on Its Foreign Relations?",{"_24":200,"_53":201,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":202,"_40":41,"_26":203},"-NMXxKSCIeQ8tbfl3WFJ","

Weeks of heavy rains and fatal flooding have drawn attention to the archipelago’s approach to disaster prevention and resilience.

","philippine-floods-displace-thousands-raise-questions-of-future-resilience","Philippine Floods Displace Thousands, Raise Questions of Future Resilience",{"_24":205,"_53":206,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":207,"_40":41,"_26":208},"-NMXxKSCIeQ8tbfl3WFK","

There has been a general breakdown of law and order in the two years since the coup, as the military junta prioritizes the pursuit of political opponents.

","a-tsunami-of-crime-washes-over-post-coup-myanmar","A Tsunami of Crime Washes Over Post-Coup Myanmar",{"_24":210,"_53":211,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":91,"_18":212,"_40":41,"_26":213},"-NMXxKSD3XrajhIgjsvW","

Jakarta takes up the bloc’s rotating chairmanship at a time when its centrality and efficacy are being called into question.

","indonesias-asean-chairmanship-promoting-asean-relevance-in-2023","Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship: Promoting ASEAN Relevance in 2023?",{"_24":215,"_53":216,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":101,"_18":217,"_40":41,"_26":218},"-NMXxKSD3XrajhIgjsvX","

The annual gathering of global elites has grown more “eurocentric.”

","why-did-asean-leaders-skip-davos","Why Did ASEAN Leaders Skip Davos?",{"_24":220,"_46":221,"_26":222,"_49":223},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[224,229,234,239,244],{"_24":225,"_53":226,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":227,"_40":41,"_26":228},"-NMXxKSD3XrajhIgjsvY","

The southern U.S. border remains a path for the desperate to try and enter the United States – even the occasional Central Asian, it turns out.

","the-strange-path-of-uzbeks-to-the-mexico-us-border","The Strange Path of Uzbeks to the Mexico-U.S. Border",{"_24":230,"_53":231,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":232,"_40":41,"_26":233},"-NMXxKSE9wIQx4u2QY6E","

An attack on a journalist highlights the difficult environment for the press.

","kazakhstans-media-journalists-under-pressure","Kazakhstan’s Media, Journalists Under Pressure",{"_24":235,"_53":236,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":237,"_40":41,"_26":238},"-NMXxKSFM2t95aAlew9E","

All three countries have suffered from energy shortages this winter, underscoring the need for new sources across the region.

","kyrgyz-uzbek-kazakh-energy-ministers-sign-kambar-ata-1-roadmap","Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Kazakh Energy Ministers Sign Kambar-Ata-1 Roadmap",{"_24":240,"_53":241,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":91,"_18":242,"_40":41,"_26":243},"-NMXxKSFM2t95aAlew9F","

China has now forged comprehensive strategic partnerships with all five Central Asian states.

","berdimuhamedovs-china-visit-pushes-forward-china-central-asia-relations","Berdimuhamedov’s China Visit Pushes Forward China-Central Asia Relations",{"_24":245,"_53":246,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":101,"_18":247,"_40":41,"_26":248},"-NMXxKSFM2t95aAlew9G","

It seems the Kyrgyz authorities are set on prosecuting the politicians and activists who stridently opposed the border deal with Uzbekistan, accusing them of coup-plotting.

","whats-next-for-the-kempir-abad-dissenters","What’s Next for the Kempir-Abad Dissenters?",{"_24":250,"_46":251,"_26":252,"_49":253},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[254,259,264,269],{"_24":255,"_53":256,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":257,"_40":41,"_26":258},"-NMXxKSGYDrTblBB-TDl","

The power that the sport now has in Afghanistan makes cricket a point of weakness for the Taliban – one that can be exploited.

","whats-behind-cricket-australias-refusal-to-play-afghanistan","What’s Behind Cricket Australia’s Refusal to Play Afghanistan?",{"_24":260,"_53":261,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":262,"_40":41,"_26":263},"-NMXxKSGYDrTblBB-TDm","

After 16 years with Frank Bainimarama at the helm, Fiji faces myriad challenges as Sitiveni Rabuka takes over.

","under-new-leadership-whats-next-for-fiji","Under New Leadership, What’s Next for Fiji?",{"_24":265,"_53":266,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":267,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-NMXxKSGYDrTblBB-TDn","

China’s decision to import Australian coal after a two-year ban was driven by diplomatic, not economic, considerations.

","whats-behind-chinas-resumed-imports-of-australian-coal","What’s Behind China’s Resumed Imports of Australian Coal?",{"_24":270,"_53":271,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":91,"_18":272,"_40":41,"_26":273},"-NMXxKSGYDrTblBB-TDo","

The New Zealand PM has announced her resignation, but her impact on the country’s diplomacy will continue to resonate.

","jacinda-arderns-outsized-foreign-policy-legacy","Jacinda Ardern’s Outsized Foreign Policy Legacy",{"_24":275,"_46":276,"_26":277,"_49":278},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[279,284,289],{"_24":280,"_53":281,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":282,"_40":41,"_26":283},"-NMXxKSH-AlTb2JaXeOY","

The latest Biden-Kishida summit meeting highlighted shared concerns, but agreeing on how to address those shared challenges won’t be easy.

","clouds-over-sunny-japan-us-ties","Clouds Over Sunny Japan-US Ties",{"_24":285,"_53":286,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":287,"_40":41,"_26":288},"-NMXxKSIlJ6ubr6CEeIu","

The Inflation Reduction Act strained ties with South Korea, threatening further cooperation on U.S. priorities. How can Washington repair the damage?

","how-a-biden-legislative-achievement-jeopardized-relations-with-south-korea","How a Biden Legislative Achievement Jeopardized Relations With South Korea",{"_24":290,"_53":291,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":292,"_40":41,"_26":293},"-NMXxKSIlJ6ubr6CEeIv","

Despite growing cooperation with Washington, an anti-U.S. streak runs deep among communist leaders and the general public alike.

","anti-american-propaganda-in-vietnam","Anti-American Propaganda in Vietnam",{"_24":295,"_46":296,"_26":297,"_49":298},"SCR",11,"Security",[299,304,309,314],{"_24":300,"_53":301,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":302,"_40":41,"_26":303},"-NMXxKSaoxOPLz2_6_9O","

However, Japan reported a record number of Chinese ship sightings near the contested Senkaku/Diaoyu islands in 2022.

","japan-reports-fewer-approaches-by-chinese-military-aircraft","Japan Reports Fewer Approaches by Chinese Military Aircraft",{"_24":305,"_53":306,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":307,"_40":41,"_26":308},"-NMXxKSbydl9idADDlwB","

Whatever the intent behind a certain technology in nuclear systems is, it is the perception of that capability that will drive the response of other states.

","south-asias-nuclear-dilemma-in-the-age-of-the-intelligent-bomb","South Asia’s Nuclear Dilemma in the Age of the Intelligent Bomb",{"_24":310,"_53":311,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":312,"_40":41,"_26":313},"-NMXxKSbydl9idADDlwC","

New defense and security cooperation efforts are springing up across the Indo-Pacific, between some Quad members and those outside the grouping.

","beyond-the-quad-booming-security-cooperation-efforts-in-the-indo-pacific","Beyond the Quad: Booming Security Cooperation Efforts in the Indo-Pacific",{"_24":315,"_53":316,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":91,"_18":317,"_40":41,"_26":318},"-NMXxKSbydl9idADDlwD","

The internet and social media have created a host of novel internal challenges for the city-state’s authorities.

","the-continuing-threat-of-self-radicalization-in-singapore","The Continuing Threat of Self-Radicalization in Singapore",{"_24":320,"_46":321,"_26":322,"_49":323},"ASL",12,"Asia Life",[324,329,334],{"_24":325,"_53":326,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":327,"_40":41,"_26":328},"-NMXxKScq1LgzyoJePjB","

The Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic, functions both as a religious belief and inspiration for fiction.

","take-a-laser-bow-ramayana-as-modern-literary-fiction","Take a Laser Bow: Ramayana as Modern Literary Fiction",{"_24":330,"_53":331,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":332,"_40":41,"_26":333},"-NMXxKScq1LgzyoJePjC","

How the Philippines became “ground zero” for the corrosive effects of social media.

","what-is-happening-to-us-is-coming-for-you","‘What is Happening to Us is Coming For You’",{"_24":335,"_53":336,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":337,"_40":41,"_26":338},"-NMXxKScq1LgzyoJePjD","

The Korean Wave, or hallyu, has seen ups and downs in Japan, but could exert political influence over the long term.

","how-has-the-korean-wave-impacted-japan-south-korea-relations","How Has the ‘Korean Wave’ Impacted Japan-South Korea Relations?","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]