[{"_1":2,"_335":-5,"_336":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_333":334},"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","2024-03","path","/2024-03","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-NrGOM6WsFgKcen7npkw","title","Myanmar: The Many Foes of Min Aung Hlaing","description","Welcome to the March 2024 issue of The Diplomat. This month, our cover story outlines the mounting difficulties, from internal strife to armed resistance, facing Myanmar’s coup leader, General Min Aung Hlaing. We also examine Kazakhstan’s political evolution in the five years since its first-ever power transition, and outline the delicate triangle that is China-Bhutan-India 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\nAbdul Basit
\nSnigdhendu Bhattacharya
\nDechlan Brennan
\nKavita Chowdhury
\nShanthie Mariet D’Souza\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",112,"date","March 2024","month",3,"year",2024,"status","rdy","toc",[44,61,69,84,93,123,153,183,213,243,268,288,313],{"_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},"-NrGOMjVr_yOQ07LfVeF","lead","

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

","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},"-NrGOMjgKeoh7asSZqbk","

Three years after the coup, and several months after a major ethnic armed organization operation began, Myanmar under Min Aung Hlaing is locked into a course of continued conflict.

","myanmar-the-many-foes-of-min-aung-hlaing",{"_24":70,"_46":71,"_26":72,"_49":73},"LDS",2,"Leads",[74,79],{"_24":75,"_53":76,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":77,"_40":41,"_26":78},"-NrGOMjhKLSpB0nFL_22","

Despite two era-defining moments occurring in the five years since Nazarbayev’s resignation, continuity is the main feature of governance in Kazakhstan.

","the-old-politics-of-new-kazakhstan","The Old Politics of New Kazakhstan",{"_24":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":82,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-NrGOMjhKLSpB0nFL_23","

Bhutan’s efforts to ensure predictable ties with China and India (and between them) touch on the state’s very survival.

","the-himalayan-triangle-bhutans-courtship-with-india-and-china","The Himalayan Triangle: Bhutan’s Courtship With India and China",{"_24":85,"_46":37,"_26":86,"_49":87},"INT","Interview",[88],{"_24":89,"_53":90,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":91,"_40":41,"_26":92},"-NrGOMjiKRfxG4ufLnog","

10 years on, what impact has the Sunflower Movement had on Taiwan?

","weiting-chen","Weiting Chen",{"_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},"-NrGOMjjJVgJf7n7YgiS","

The outlying islands governed by Taiwan, but far closer to the mainland, are an often overlooked factor in regional security dynamics.

","kinmen-again-a-flashpoint-in-cross-strait-relations","Kinmen Again a Flashpoint in Cross-Strait Relations",{"_24":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":106,"_40":41,"_26":107},"-NrGOMjjJVgJf7n7YgiT","

Even as China pursues an anti-corruption crackdown in the industry, it continues to pour money into sectors like medical devices in preparation for continued aging.

","healthcare-dynamics-and-corruption-in-china","Healthcare Dynamics and Corruption in China",{"_24":109,"_53":110,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":111,"_40":41,"_26":112},"-NrGOMjkDu-4Ju5igC8c","

While there is plenty of daylight between the DPP and KMT, the two parties have converged on remarkably similar positions with regard to national sovereignty.

","the-non-consensus-consensus-of-taiwans-election","The Non-consensus Consensus of Taiwan’s Election",{"_24":114,"_53":115,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":116,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-NrGOMjmAoNOknp84Cym","

In the quest to ensure local accountability, elections are out; the “Fengqiao Experience” is in.

","xi-jinpings-quest-for-self-governance-without-democracy","Xi Jinping’s Quest for Self-governance Without Democracy",{"_24":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":121,"_40":41,"_26":122},"-NrGOMjlZORweQtRybfK","

In an apparent first, China has convicted two people for bribing foreign officials. The high-profile judgment sends a clear signal: the time has come to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction.

","a-new-era-for-chinas-overseas-anti-corruption-campaign","A New Era for China’s Overseas Anti-Corruption Campaign",{"_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},"-NrGOMjlZORweQtRybfL","

Survivors of the strongest earthquake to hit west Japan struggle to regain normalcy amid the slow restoration of water and sewage infrastructure.

","japans-noto-peninsula-post-earthquake-recovery-stalls","Japan’s Noto Peninsula Post-Earthquake Recovery Stalls",{"_24":134,"_53":135,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":136,"_40":41,"_26":137},"-NrGOMjlZORweQtRybfM","

Although fractious, third parties could pose significant challenges to the ruling People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party.

","south-koreas-breakaway-third-parties-fail-to-set-up-their-big-tent","South Korea’s Breakaway Third Parties Fail to Set Up Their ‘Big Tent’",{"_24":139,"_53":140,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":141,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-NrGOMjmAoNOknp84Cyl","

The plan acknowledges the severe disparity in living conditions between Pyongyang and the rest of the country – and the resulting public discontent.

","whats-driving-kim-jong-uns-new-regional-development-policy","What’s Driving Kim Jong Un’s New Regional Development Policy?",{"_24":144,"_53":145,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":146,"_40":41,"_26":147},"-NrGOMjkDu-4Ju5igC8d","

Japan looks set to end negative interest rates for the first time in eight years.

","the-bank-of-japans-year-of-living-dangerously","The Bank of Japan’s Year of Living Dangerously",{"_24":149,"_53":150,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":151,"_40":41,"_26":152},"-NrGOMjmAoNOknp84Cyn","

The success of Nippon Ishin as a national political force has originated from their effort to convince the voters of their competent governance in Osaka. The Expo is a major test.

","the-osaka-expo-could-make-or-break-nippon-ishins-political-future","The Osaka Expo Could Make or Break Nippon Ishin’s Political Future",{"_24":154,"_46":155,"_26":156,"_49":157},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[158,163,168,173,178],{"_24":159,"_53":160,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":161,"_40":41,"_26":162},"-NrGOMjn5zopRYTHuAMa","

Contrary to the BJP’s claim that gender justice is the underlying motivation of a uniform civil code, the bill seems aimed at weakening Muslim identity and homogenizing a diverse country.

","indias-uttarakhand-state-legislature-passes-uniform-civil-code-bill","India’s Uttarakhand State Legislature Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill",{"_24":164,"_53":165,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":166,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-NrGOMjn5zopRYTHuAMb","

At present, no political party seems capable of sustaining a prolonged agitation campaign as people want to get on with their lives.

","pakistan-searches-for-stability-following-contentious-elections","Pakistan Searches for Stability Following Contentious Elections",{"_24":169,"_53":170,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":171,"_40":41,"_26":172},"-NrGOMjn5zopRYTHuAMc","

The Taliban’s refusal to participate – and those invited to represent Afghanistan from other groups – sparked much debate among Afghans.

","un-doha-conference-on-afghanistan-fails-to-achieve-key-goals","UN Doha Conference on Afghanistan Fails to Achieve Key Goals",{"_24":174,"_53":175,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":37,"_18":176,"_40":41,"_26":177},"-NrGOMjoXYZilrmAriSm","

The poor performance of Baloch nationalist parties in the recent elections is surprising, as is the victory of candidates who were barely known in their constituencies.

","public-trust-in-ballot-box-politics-could-weaken-further-in-balochistan","Public Trust in Ballot Box Politics Could Weaken Further in Balochistan",{"_24":179,"_53":180,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":181,"_40":41,"_26":182},"-NrGOMjoXYZilrmAriSn","

Language is a critical part of the country’s moves toward post-war reconciliation, especially when it comes to grassroots efforts.

","what-a-tamil-language-school-in-sri-lanka-tells-us-about-the-reconciliation-process","What a Tamil Language School in Sri Lanka Tells Us About the Reconciliation Process",{"_24":184,"_46":185,"_26":186,"_49":187},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[188,193,198,203,208],{"_24":189,"_53":190,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":191,"_40":41,"_26":192},"-NrGOMjoXYZilrmAriSo","

The enforcement of a conscription law by the military junta is forcing many Myanmar youth to look for an escape plan.

","thailand-braces-for-new-wave-of-myanmar-migration","Thailand Braces for New Wave of Myanmar Migration",{"_24":194,"_53":195,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":196,"_40":41,"_26":197},"-NrGOMjp36K3IA9rLdhW","

A number of former members of the extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah cast their votes in the 2024 election, some for the first time.

","indonesian-election-shows-advances-in-deradicalization-methods","Indonesian Election Shows Advances In Deradicalization Methods",{"_24":199,"_53":200,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":201,"_40":41,"_26":202},"-NrGOMjp36K3IA9rLdhX","

The detained former PM’s persecution and rehabilitation have both reflected the use of the country’s administrative and legal system for political ends.

","what-thaksin-shinawatras-parole-says-about-thai-politics","What Thaksin Shinawatra’s Parole Says About Thai Politics",{"_24":204,"_53":205,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":206,"_40":41,"_26":207},"-NrGOMjp36K3IA9rLdhY","

In recent years, the ceremonial monarchs have been taking a more active role in the country’s political life.

","what-malaysias-new-king-means-for-the-countrys-monarchy","What Malaysia’s New King Means For the Country’s Monarchy",{"_24":209,"_53":210,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":211,"_40":41,"_26":212},"-NrGOMjqiyhoO_inHX4L","

The country’s awkward geographic position with China militates against it adopting a strong pro-U.S. orientation.

","why-vietnam-cannot-copy-the-philippines-china-policy","Why Vietnam Cannot Copy the Philippines’ China Policy",{"_24":214,"_46":215,"_26":216,"_49":217},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[218,223,228,233,238],{"_24":219,"_53":220,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":221,"_40":41,"_26":222},"-NrGOMm5lW6y_hzY5yYw","

Although Dushanbe’s spectacular shot at the Asian Cup was cut short, Tajikistan has its eyes on the World Cup.

","tajikistans-wildest-football-dreams","Tajikistan’s Wildest Football Dreams",{"_24":224,"_53":225,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":226,"_40":41,"_26":227},"-NrGOMm5lW6y_hzY5yYx","

As Astana moves from crisis management to long-term planning mode, the challenge will be whether the government can stick to its economic reform plans.

","can-kazakhstan-stay-the-course-on-economic-reform","Can Kazakhstan Stay the Course on Economic Reform?",{"_24":229,"_53":230,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":231,"_40":41,"_26":232},"-NrGOMm5lW6y_hzY5yYy","

Uzbek citizens interested in getting to the United States are confronted with a confusing miasma of regulations, made all the more murky by disinformation and scammers.

","smugglers-and-scammers-make-wild-promises-to-uzbeks-desperate-to-reach-us","Smugglers and Scammers Make Wild Promises to Uzbeks Desperate to Reach US",{"_24":234,"_53":235,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":236,"_40":41,"_26":237},"-NrGOMm5lW6y_hzY5yYz","

Due to linguistic, religious, and cultural commonalities, members of the Islamic State and al-Qaida from Central Asia can often bypass security filters in the wider Turkic world.

","fratricidal-jihad-assessing-the-central-asian-iskp-attacks-on-turkey","Fratricidal Jihad: Assessing the Central Asian ISKP Attacks on Turkey",{"_24":239,"_53":240,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":95,"_18":241,"_40":41,"_26":242},"-NrGOMm6TtHl2od4X55n","

Although there are millions of ethnic Uzbeks in neighboring countries, the Uzbek government does not seriously entertain the idea of building bonds with them. Why?

","why-is-tashkent-reluctant-to-reconnect-with-ethnic-uzbeks-abroad","Why Is Tashkent Reluctant to Reconnect with Ethnic Uzbeks Abroad?",{"_24":244,"_46":245,"_26":246,"_49":247},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[248,253,258,263],{"_24":249,"_53":250,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":251,"_40":41,"_26":252},"-NrGOMm6TtHl2od4X55o","

The defense investments Australia is now making are an indication of just how nervous Canberra is about China’s intentions in the region.

","australia-seeks-to-boost-surface-naval-fleet","Australia Seeks to Boost Surface Naval Fleet",{"_24":254,"_53":255,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":256,"_40":41,"_26":257},"-NrGOMm6TtHl2od4X55p","

For Australia, it is critical to keep good ties with PNG amid China’s growing influence.

","marapes-state-visit-puts-australia-papua-new-guinea-bonhomie-on-display","Marape’s State Visit Puts Australia-Papua New Guinea Bonhomie on Display",{"_24":259,"_53":260,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":261,"_40":41,"_26":262},"-NrGOMm6TtHl2od4X55q","

Palau President Surangel Whipps says that “there was optimism and hope” when the Palau-U.S. compact agreement was signed. But concerns are mounting as funding stalls in the U.S. Congress.

","cofa-collateral-damage-and-its-consequences-a-view-from-palau","COFA Collateral Damage and Its Consequences: A View from Palau",{"_24":264,"_53":265,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":266,"_40":41,"_26":267},"-NrGOMm7DG26ZUW_S00-","

“Whole-of-nation” language carries a sense of urgency that the country’s economy, society, and public institutions must become more alert to their role in the international sphere.

","its-time-for-australia-to-take-a-whole-of-nation-approach-to-foreign-policy","It’s Time for Australia to Take a ‘Whole-of-Nation’ Approach to Foreign Policy",{"_24":269,"_46":270,"_26":271,"_49":272},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[273,278,283],{"_24":274,"_53":275,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":47,"_18":276,"_40":41,"_26":277},"-NrGOMm7DG26ZUW_S001","

In a rare move, nine sitting U.S. ambassadors to Asian countries wrote to Congress regarding the importance of the bill.

","asia-is-watching-the-future-of-the-us-foreign-aid-bill","Asia Is Watching the Future of the US Foreign Aid Bill",{"_24":279,"_53":280,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":281,"_40":41,"_26":282},"-NrGOMm7DG26ZUW_S002","

Even if Trump could somehow weather the economic repercussions of another trade war, the broader political consequences for the Republican Party would likely be insurmountable.

","would-donald-trump-start-a-china-us-trade-war-20","Would Donald Trump Start a China-US Trade War 2.0?",{"_24":284,"_53":285,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":286,"_40":41,"_26":287},"-NrGOMm7DG26ZUW_S003","

As the U.S. debates the fate of its embassy in Kabul, it’s worth remembering the broader context of Afghanistan-U.S. diplomatic relations – including the murder of Ambassador Dubs in 1979.

","a-murdered-ambassador-a-closed-embassy-the-tragic-history-of-us-diplomacy-in-afghanistan","A Murdered Ambassador, a Closed Embassy: The Tragic History of US Diplomacy in Afghanistan",{"_24":289,"_46":290,"_26":291,"_49":292},"SCR",11,"Security",[293,298,303,308],{"_24":294,"_53":295,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":296,"_40":41,"_26":297},"-NrGOMm8zywWVnSQcG4z","

The return of an alliance skeptic as U.S. president would lead Tokyo to enhance Japan's self-defense capabilities.

","what-trumps-re-election-could-mean-for-for-the-japan-us-alliance","What Trump’s Re-election Could Mean for for the Japan-US Alliance",{"_24":299,"_53":300,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":301,"_40":41,"_26":302},"-NrGOMm8zywWVnSQcG5-","

Despite mutual concerns about China, Hanoi’s wariness of its larger neighbor may limit what it’s willing to do with Washington.

","after-a-major-upgrade-the-us-military-wants-to-take-things-further-with-vietnam","After a Major Upgrade, the US Military Wants to Take Things Further With Vietnam",{"_24":304,"_53":305,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":306,"_40":41,"_26":307},"-NrGOMm8zywWVnSQcG50","

Despite lofty declarations of mutual interests in the Arctic, there have been significant cracks in this regional relationship.

","a-china-russia-arctic-alliance-not-so-fast","A China-Russia Arctic Alliance? Not So Fast.",{"_24":309,"_53":310,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":311,"_40":41,"_26":312},"-NrJy3qXbPFmWPGXYMT9","

India, with its traditionally close ties with Iran and its increasing influence in the region, may have a role to play in alleviating the present crisis.

","india-and-the-red-sea-imbroglio","India and the Red Sea Imbroglio",{"_24":314,"_46":315,"_26":316,"_49":317},"ASL",12,"Asia Life",[318,323,328],{"_24":319,"_53":320,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":321,"_40":41,"_26":322},"-NrGOMm96WDAeFuefwig","

Gore’s “Marginally Human” and Akbar’s “Leila” both show how science fiction can bloom outside the West.

","marginally-indian-indian-sci-fi-and-gores-marginally-human","Marginally Indian: Indian Sci-Fi and Gore’s ‘Marginally Human’",{"_24":324,"_53":325,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":326,"_40":41,"_26":327},"-NrGOMm96WDAeFuefwih","

Is kretek nostalgia undercutting the country’s campaign to curb tobacco use?

","cigarette-girl-is-a-big-streaming-hit-in-indonesia","‘Cigarette Girl’ Is a Big Streaming Hit in Indonesia",{"_24":329,"_53":330,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":331,"_40":41,"_26":332},"-NrGOMm96WDAeFuefwii","

A genuine flowering of popular culture would inevitably showcase the repressive nature of the Thai state.

","the-self-defeating-nature-of-thailands-soft-power-push","The Self-Defeating Nature of Thailand’s ‘Soft Power’ Push","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]