[{"_1":2,"_334":-5,"_335":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_332":333},"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","2024-02","path","/2024-02","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-Np07NTZKnUwOFc06ITJ","title","After the Election: Where Will Lai Lead Taiwan?","description","Welcome to the February 2024 issue of The Diplomat. This month, our cover story outlines the factors – both domestic and geopolitical – that will shape Taiwan under the incoming Lai administration. We also delve into Southeast Asia’s electric vehicle (EV) ambitions in a country-by-country analysis and shine a light on the simmering but often ignored discontent in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. 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\nAbdul Basit
\nSnigdhendu Bhattacharya
\nDechlan Brennan
\nKavita Chowdhury
\nShanthie Mariet D’Souza
\nMimrah Abdul Ghafoor
\nBonnie Girard
\nShihoko Goto
\nJames Guild
\nMubashar Hasan
\nBrian Hioe
\nLuke Hunt
\nUmair Jamal
\nAisyah Llewellyn
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nRathindra Kuruwita
\nPatricia O’Brien
\nMong Palatino
\nSantosh Sharma Poudel
\nRathindra Kuruwita
\nRajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
\nTita Sanglee
\nSribala Subramanian
\nThisanka Siripala
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nTroy Stangarone
\nTakahashi Kosuke
\nColleen Wood
\nGrant Wyeth
\nMohamed Zeeshan\n

","number",111,"date","February 2024","month",2,"year",2024,"status","rdy","toc",[44,61,69,83,93,123,152,182,212,242,267,287,312],{"_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},"-Np07kTuXBywZ_Gj8DfE","lead","

After the headlines, it’s the follow-through – or lack thereof – that truly matters.

","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":27},"-Np07kTx59Hgwju8ytFx","

Taiwanese voters have made their choice. Now it’s up to President-elect Lai Ching-te – and the reactions from Washington and Beijing – to shape the future.

","after-the-election-where-will-lai-lead-taiwan",{"_24":70,"_46":37,"_26":71,"_49":72},"LDS","Leads",[73,78],{"_24":74,"_53":75,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":76,"_40":41,"_26":77},"-Np07kTx59Hgwju8ytFy","

Across Southeast Asia, countries do not want to simply be a market for EVs. They want to make them.

","markets-makers-and-the-state-of-play-in-southeast-asias-electric-vehicle-industry","Markets, Makers, and the State of Play in Southeast Asia’s Electric Vehicle Industry",{"_24":79,"_53":80,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":81,"_40":41,"_26":82},"-Np07kTx59Hgwju8ytFz","

Pakistan spends a lot of effort condemning India’s governance in Kashmir. Few are interested in addressing the plight of the Kashmiris under Pakistan’s control.

","pakistans-not-so-azad-kashmir","Pakistan’s Not-So-Azad Kashmir",{"_24":84,"_46":85,"_26":86,"_49":87},"INT",3,"Interview",[88],{"_24":89,"_53":90,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":91,"_40":41,"_26":92},"-Np07kTyFBbN0FM1-ZTs","

Despite Bangladesh’s slide toward a one-party autocracy, “the current trajectory is not destiny.”

","ali-riaz","Ali Riaz",{"_24":94,"_46":95,"_26":96,"_49":97},"CHN",4,"China",[98,103,108,113,118],{"_24":99,"_53":100,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":101,"_40":41,"_26":102},"-Np07kTyFBbN0FM1-ZTt","

Predictably, the lowest-hanging fruit has seen the most progress since the Biden-Xi summit.

","can-china-us-relations-make-good-on-the-san-francisco-vision","Can China-US Relations Make Good on the ‘San Francisco Vision’?",{"_24":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":106,"_40":41,"_26":107},"-Np07kTyFBbN0FM1-ZTu","

In the past decade, China has significantly expanded its legal framework, part of Xi Jinping’s embrace of “rule by law.”

","chinas-legalistic-turn","China’s Legalistic Turn",{"_24":109,"_53":110,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":111,"_40":41,"_26":112},"-Np07kTyFBbN0FM1-ZTv","

Quickly censored comments reveal a bitter rejection of Beijing’s official line on the Taiwanese balloting.

","watching-taiwans-free-elections-chinese-internet-users-lament-one-party-rule","Watching Taiwan’s Free Elections, Chinese Internet Users Lament One-Party Rule",{"_24":114,"_53":115,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_18":116,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-Np07kTziSgf2Xy5ijr7","

Heightened China-Philippines tension around Second Thomas Shoal could escalate to military skirmishes – and that’s a chance Beijing appears willing to take.

","chinas-big-gamble-in-the-south-china-sea","China’s Big Gamble in the South China Sea",{"_24":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":121,"_40":41,"_26":122},"-Np07kTziSgf2Xy5ijr8","

A full pivot to war preparations is unlikely, but China will continue to shift toward a fully centralized economy.

","will-china-move-toward-a-war-driven-economy","Will China Move Toward a ‘War-Driven’ Economy?",{"_24":124,"_46":125,"_26":126,"_49":127},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[128,133,138,143,148],{"_24":129,"_53":130,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":131,"_40":41,"_26":132},"-Np07kTziSgf2Xy5ijr9","

Corporate Japan is under pressure to challenge gender bias in the workplace and promote women’s leadership.

","women-in-japan-want-promotions-but-patriarchy-lurks-in-the-workplace","Women in Japan Want Promotions But Patriarchy Lurks in the Workplace",{"_24":134,"_53":135,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":136,"_40":41,"_26":137},"-Np07kU-67mc6d2G-s6R","

Ahead of the April general election, South Korea’s politics plunged into mudslinging yet again.

","knife-attack-on-south-koreas-opposition-leader-further-polarizes-politics","Knife Attack on South Korea’s Opposition Leader Further Polarizes Politics",{"_24":139,"_53":140,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":141,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-Np07kU-67mc6d2G-s6S","

Scandal after scandal has plagued the country since the late Abe era, each one further eroding public trust (and even interest) in government.

","japans-crisis-of-confidence","Japan’s Crisis of Confidence",{"_24":144,"_53":145,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_18":146,"_40":41,"_26":147},"-Np07kU-67mc6d2G-s6T","

With a decisive change in the North’s policy toward the South, the Korean Peninsula has now devolved from a state of armistice to one where conflict could loom at any moment.

","kim-jong-uns-declaration-of-a-hostile-relationship-between-north-and-south-korea-is-a-big-deal","Kim Jong Un’s Declaration of a Hostile Relationship Between North and South Korea Is a Big Deal",{"_24":149,"_53":150,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":146,"_40":41,"_26":151},"-Np07kU-67mc6d2G-s6U","

Two recent legal rulings in South Korea are once again threatening to unravel the relationship.

","Relitigating the Past: How to Overcome Recent Court Cases and Strengthen the Japan-South Korea Relationship",{"_24":153,"_46":154,"_26":155,"_49":156},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[157,162,167,172,177],{"_24":158,"_53":159,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":160,"_40":41,"_26":161},"-Np07kU0NMWJ0BfYh-dt","

Its decision to stay away from the temple inauguration will cost the Congress Hindu votes. But Muslims may close ranks behind the party.

","amid-ram-temple-fervor-sweeping-india-what-are-the-congress-partys-electoral-chances","Amid Ram Temple Fervor Sweeping India, What Are the Congress Party’s Electoral Chances?",{"_24":163,"_53":164,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":165,"_40":41,"_26":166},"-Np07kU0NMWJ0BfYh-du","

With a struggling economy, Pakistan stands to gain more from fostering cooperative measures with Iran than stewing in anger over recent attacks.

","after-attacks-pakistan-quickly-patches-up-relations-with-iran","After Attacks, Pakistan Quickly Patches Up Relations With Iran",{"_24":168,"_53":169,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":170,"_40":41,"_26":171},"-Np07kU0NMWJ0BfYh-dv","

India is a powerful neighbor, one that plays a major role in the Maldivian economy. How long can President Muizzu sustain this path without taking steps to ease tensions?

","maldives-signals-tilt-toward-china","Maldives Signals Tilt Toward China",{"_24":173,"_53":174,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_18":175,"_40":41,"_26":176},"-Np07kU0NMWJ0BfYh-dw","

Will turning secular earn the Bangladesh Nationalist Party more support from New Delhi and Washington?

","the-bnps-islamist-dilemma","The BNP’s Islamist Dilemma",{"_24":178,"_53":179,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":180,"_40":41,"_26":181},"-Np07kU1Y2W0rBWs-r63","

An unending refugee and humanitarian crisis the world seems to have forgotten.

","the-plight-of-deported-afghans","The Plight of Deported Afghans",{"_24":183,"_46":184,"_26":185,"_49":186},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[187,192,197,202,207],{"_24":188,"_53":189,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":190,"_40":41,"_26":191},"-Np07kU1Y2W0rBWs-r64","

Indonesia’s breakneck EV manufacturing push has come at a steep environmental and social cost.

","confronting-the-environmental-costs-of-the-ev-revolution","Confronting the Environmental Costs of the EV Revolution",{"_24":193,"_53":194,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":195,"_40":41,"_26":196},"-Np07kU1Y2W0rBWs-r65","

The recent prolonged absence of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong raised the question of how the Communist Party might deal with a leader’s incapacitation or death.

","is-vietnam-entering-uncharted-waters","Is Vietnam Entering Uncharted Waters?",{"_24":198,"_53":199,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":200,"_40":41,"_26":201},"-Np07kU1Y2W0rBWs-r66","

The Islamist party PAS is ascendant, but Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s current response to the group risks doing more harm than good.

","how-should-malaysias-government-deal-with-the-green-wave","How Should Malaysia’s Government Deal With the ‘Green Wave’?",{"_24":203,"_53":204,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_18":205,"_40":41,"_26":206},"-Np07kU2MEgj68jRmrVq","

Since taking the reins from his father in August 2023, Manet has also been promoted into the top ranks of the ruling party.

","cambodian-prime-minister-hun-manets-rise-to-the-top-of-the-cpp-leadership","Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s Rise to the Top of the CPP Leadership",{"_24":208,"_53":209,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":210,"_40":41,"_26":211},"-Np07kU2MEgj68jRmrVr","

As maritime frictions with China grow, the Marcos administration is becoming more proactive in engaging Taipei.

","the-philippines-is-exercising-growing-agency-on-the-taiwan-issue","The Philippines Is Exercising Growing Agency on the Taiwan Issue",{"_24":213,"_46":214,"_26":215,"_49":216},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[217,222,227,232,237],{"_24":218,"_53":219,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":220,"_40":41,"_26":221},"-Np07kU3onU-aX0YcJSi","

Europe has, at present, its thumb on an actual point of pressure for the regime in Dushanbe – a rare thing.

","tajikistans-gsp-quest","Tajikistan’s GSP+ Quest",{"_24":223,"_53":224,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":225,"_40":41,"_26":226},"-Np07kU3onU-aX0YcJSj","

It seems this instance of an individual “vomiting up” what he allegedly owed the state has led to some indigestion, and another alleged coup forestalled by the Kyrgyz state.

","kyrgyzstan-a-coup-to-quash-or-kusturizatsia-indigestion","Kyrgyzstan: A Coup to Quash or Kusturizatsia Indigestion?",{"_24":228,"_53":229,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":230,"_40":41,"_26":231},"-Np07kU3onU-aX0YcJSk","

Reactions in Uzbekistan following Zakhar Prilepin’s comments are indicative of a larger, ongoing conversation about nationhood, independence, and national identity in Central Asia.

","russian-neo-imperialist-assertions-spark-pushback-in-uzbekistan","Russian Neo-Imperialist Assertions Spark Pushback in Uzbekistan",{"_24":233,"_53":234,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_18":235,"_40":41,"_26":236},"-Np07kU3onU-aX0YcJSl","

Kazakh President Tokayev says he “openly told Nursultan Abishuly Nazarbayev that the political arrogance of his close associates almost destroyed the country.”

","the-tokayev-interview-and-nazarbayevs-long-shadow","The Tokayev Interview and Nazarbayev’s Long Shadow",{"_24":238,"_53":239,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":240,"_40":41,"_26":241},"-Np07kU3onU-aX0YcJSm","

Afghanistan’s market and its position as a trade route that can connect Central Asia to South Asian ports are critically important to Kazakhstan.

","kazakhstans-evolving-afghanistan-policy","Kazakhstan’s Evolving Afghanistan Policy",{"_24":243,"_46":244,"_26":245,"_49":246},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[247,252,257,262],{"_24":248,"_53":249,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":250,"_40":41,"_26":251},"-Np07kU3onU-aX0YcJSn","

Although Canberra doesn’t have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it certainly wants Pacific Island states to maintain them.

","why-naurus-china-switch-matters-to-australia","Why Nauru’s China Switch Matters to Australia",{"_24":253,"_53":254,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":255,"_40":41,"_26":256},"-Np07kU4A31Ld8JM6h1l","

Moving beyond the “no” campaign, conservative political parties across Australia are working to further erode Indigenous reconciliation movements, such as the various Treaty processes.

","after-2023-voice-disappointment-is-there-hope-for-treaty-in-australia","After 2023 Voice Disappointment, Is There Hope for Treaty in Australia?",{"_24":258,"_53":259,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":260,"_40":41,"_26":261},"-Np07kU4A31Ld8JM6h1m","

The diplomatic battle between Taipei and Beijing is but one arena where Nauru is flexing muscle that greatly exceeds its demographic and geographic size.

","naurus-geopolitical-clout","Nauru’s Geopolitical Clout",{"_24":263,"_53":264,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_18":265,"_40":41,"_26":266},"-Np07kU5D7gKUQJKYwkQ","

PNG, recently rocked by riots, is likely to declare itself a “Christian nation” in early 2024.

","is-christianity-marapes-political-saving-grace-in-papua-new-guinea","Is Christianity Marape’s Political Saving Grace in Papua New Guinea?",{"_24":268,"_46":269,"_26":270,"_49":271},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[272,277,282],{"_24":273,"_53":274,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":275,"_40":41,"_26":276},"-Np07kU5D7gKUQJKYwkS","

As the Japanese company’s bid to acquire U.S. Steel shows, it is politically fraught to sell a U.S. industry giant to a foreign entity – even if it makes good business sense.

","nippon-steel-and-the-art-of-investing-in-america-again","Nippon Steel and the Art of Investing in America Again",{"_24":278,"_53":279,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":280,"_40":41,"_26":281},"-Np07kU5D7gKUQJKYwkT","

The two nations should place sustainable energy and critical minerals at the center of their relationship.

","the-case-for-a-more-ambitious-indonesia-us-partnership","The Case for a More Ambitious Indonesia-US Partnership",{"_24":283,"_53":284,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":285,"_40":41,"_26":286},"-Np07kU5D7gKUQJKYwkU","

USAID was based on a flawed development theory from its inception. It’s past time to address that foundational mistake.

","rethinking-us-foreign-aid","Rethinking US Foreign Aid",{"_24":288,"_46":289,"_26":290,"_49":291},"SCR",11,"Security",[292,297,302,307],{"_24":293,"_53":294,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_18":295,"_40":41,"_26":296},"-Np07kU6CdUwSTfww3Dv","

Tokyo will face four major challenges to implement the decades-old plan to relocate MCAS Futenma to Henoko.

","long-delayed-landfill-work-begins-for-a-new-us-base-on-okinawa","Long-delayed Landfill Work Begins for a New US Base on Okinawa",{"_24":298,"_53":299,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":300,"_40":41,"_26":301},"-Np07kU6CdUwSTfww3Dw","

The significant benefits that both Russia and North Korea have to gain by expanding their arms trade provides strong incentives to explore means of circumventing the U.N. sanctions regime.

","legal-barriers-to-the-north-korea-russia-arms-trade-–-and-the-loophole-that-could-allow-it-to-expand","Legal Barriers to the North Korea-Russia Arms Trade – and the Loophole That Could Allow it to Expand",{"_24":303,"_53":304,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":305,"_40":41,"_26":306},"-Np07kU7yb8lpw2SlN3v","

Despite the looming specter of cyber attacks in India, there exists untapped potential and opportunities that the nation can harness to bolster cybersecurity.

","securing-indias-digital-future-cybersecurity-urgency-and-opportunities","Securing India’s Digital Future: Cybersecurity Urgency and Opportunities",{"_24":308,"_53":309,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":85,"_18":310,"_40":41,"_26":311},"-Np07kU7yb8lpw2SlN3w","

A complex interplay of economic factors, limited military capabilities, and geopolitical dynamics shape China’s cautious response to the Red Sea crisis.

","chinas-response-to-the-houthi-attacks-in-the-red-sea","China’s Response to the Houthi Attacks in the Red Sea",{"_24":313,"_46":314,"_26":315,"_49":316},"ASL",12,"Asia Life",[317,322,327],{"_24":318,"_53":319,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":320,"_40":41,"_26":321},"-Np07kU7yb8lpw2SlN3y","

The refusal of fringe orthodox leaders to take part in the Ram Temple inauguration signals a divide within the Hindu Right.

","whose-ram-nationalists-vs-conservatives","Whose Ram? Nationalists vs Conservatives",{"_24":323,"_53":324,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":325,"_40":41,"_26":326},"-Np07kU7yb8lpw2SlN3z","

South Korean society collectively stripped and buried Lee in its cruel approach to drug users.

","lee-sun-kyun-of-oscar-winning-parasite-died-of-social-murder","Lee Sun-kyun of Oscar-Winning ‘Parasite’ Died of Social Murder",{"_24":328,"_53":329,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":330,"_40":41,"_26":331},"-Np07kU7yb8lpw2SlN4-","

The Chinese film “No More Bets,” which details the human cost of Southeast Asia-based cyberscam operations, has become a massive hit on the mainland.

","chinas-self-pitying-empire","China’s Self-Pitying Empire","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]