[{"_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","2024-06","path","/2024-06","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-NyXga2wytxkgWWG2PN6","title","Papua New Guinea: All Geopolitics Is Local","description","Welcome to the June 2024 issue of The Diplomat. This month, our cover story draws out the complex interplay between Papua New Guinea’s domestic instability and the country’s pivotal role in great power competition in the Pacific. We also scrutinize the deep roots of Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis and take stock of how different Indo-Pacific states are approaching the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. 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
\nKavita Chowdhury
\nShanthie Mariet D’Souza
\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",115,"date","June 2024","month",6,"year",2024,"status","rdy","toc",[44,61,69,84,94,124,154,183,213,243,268,288,313],{"_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},"-NyXga_NGT1gEhDioxNv","lead","

Putting the “politics” back in “geopolitics.”

","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},"-NyXga_W1Ha-DjG_8-fP","

The whole Pacific is grappling with Beijing’s campaign to become the dominant regional power and the pushback from a coalition of rival nations. PNG is experiencing this competition in unique ways.

","papua-new-guinea-all-geopolitics-is-local",{"_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},"-NyXga_W1Ha-DjG_8-fQ","

It is politics, not economics, that is preventing a wholesale turnaround of Pakistan’s broader trajectory.

","how-politics-holds-back-pakistans-economy","How Politics Holds Back Pakistan’s Economy",{"_24":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":82,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-NyXga_XajFnQYaL12KM","

Countries in Asia and the Pacific bore the brunt of nuclear trauma. Now they are leading the charge to prohibit nuclear weapons.

","banning-the-bomb-in-asia-and-the-pacific","Banning the Bomb in Asia and the Pacific",{"_24":85,"_46":86,"_26":87,"_49":88},"INT",3,"Interview",[89],{"_24":90,"_53":91,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":92,"_40":41,"_26":93},"-NyXga_XajFnQYaL12KO","

With the so-called gas union, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are engaging in opportunistic cooperation and flirting with dangerous new dependencies.

","the-new-reality-of-energy-geopolitics-in-eurasia","The New Reality of Energy Geopolitics in Eurasia",{"_24":95,"_46":96,"_26":97,"_49":98},"CHN",4,"China",[99,104,109,114,119],{"_24":100,"_53":101,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":102,"_40":41,"_26":103},"-NyXga_XajFnQYaL12KP","

Recent upgrades drew attention to China’s system for labeling its relationships – which doubles as a handy guide for finding Beijing’s closest partners.

","chinas-diplomatic-partnerships-whats-in-a-name","China’s Diplomatic Partnerships: What’s in a Name?",{"_24":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":107,"_40":41,"_26":108},"-NyXga_XajFnQYaL12KQ","

China’s media was bullish on Xi’s progress in mending ties with Europe, but the true test is still to come.

","chinese-medias-perspective-on-xi-jinpings-trip-to-europe","Chinese Media’s Perspective on Xi Jinping’s Trip to Europe",{"_24":110,"_53":111,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":112,"_40":41,"_26":113},"-NyXga_YqcAzLLJm74DM","

Lai’s inaugural address was consistent with his pro-status quo platform on cross-strait relations. Domestic politics could pose a more immediate flashpoint, however.

","with-lai-ching-te-inauguration-taiwan-has-a-new-president","With Lai Ching-te Inauguration, Taiwan Has a New President",{"_24":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":117,"_40":41,"_26":118},"-NyXga_YqcAzLLJm74DN","

Chinese investments in Latin America are shifting to focus on decarbonization and renewable energies, using technologies that are strategic for the future of the global economy.

","chinas-green-energy-investments-aim-at-latin-america-amid-competition-with-the-us","China’s Green Energy Investments Aim at Latin America Amid Competition With the US",{"_24":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":122,"_40":41,"_26":123},"-NyXga_YqcAzLLJm74DO","

Mao’s China has had a profound and lasting ideological impact on the Palestinian national movement.

","how-chinese-maoism-intellectually-shaped-modern-palestinian-jihadism","How Chinese Maoism Intellectually Shaped Modern Palestinian Jihadism",{"_24":125,"_46":126,"_26":127,"_49":128},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[129,134,139,144,149],{"_24":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":132,"_40":41,"_26":133},"-NyXga_YqcAzLLJm74DP","

Japanese lawmakers continue to pay respects at the contentious shrine, fueling historical disputes with South Korea and China.

","is-japans-yasukuni-shrine-a-symbol-of-war-or-peace","Is Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine a Symbol of War or Peace?",{"_24":135,"_53":136,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":137,"_40":41,"_26":138},"-NyXga_YqcAzLLJm74DQ","

President Yoon’s message to prosecutors is clear: Protect his government or be banished to the countryside.

","a-civil-war-in-south-koreas-prosecutors-office","A Civil War in South Korea’s Prosecutor’s Office",{"_24":140,"_53":141,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":142,"_40":41,"_26":143},"-NyXga_ZJ0MyLqe5DWDA","

Pyongyang has infiltrated its IT workers into contractors and subcontractors serving the United States’ largest and most profitable companies.

","fox-in-the-henhouse-the-growing-harms-of-north-koreas-remote-it-workforce","Fox in the Henhouse: The Growing Harms of North Korea’s Remote IT Workforce",{"_24":145,"_53":146,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":147,"_40":41,"_26":148},"-NyXga_ZJ0MyLqe5DWDB","

Despite a destabilized Korean Peninsula due to North Korean missile developments, acquiring nuclear weapons would be a dead end for Seoul.

","the-great-debate-over-south-korea-developing-nuclear-weapons-is-back","The Great Debate Over South Korea Developing Nuclear Weapons Is Back",{"_24":150,"_53":151,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":152,"_40":41,"_26":153},"-Nz1pXCS0bTYFWLURHhI","

Despite obvious friction points, the three leaders are hoping to make progress on economic cooperation – especially a long-sought FTA.

","with-trilateral-summit-china-japan-south-korea-look-for-a-reset","With Trilateral Summit, China, Japan, South Korea Look for a Reset",{"_24":155,"_46":37,"_26":156,"_49":157},"SOA","South Asia",[158,163,168,173,178],{"_24":159,"_53":160,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":161,"_40":41,"_26":162},"-NyXga_ZJ0MyLqe5DWDD","

Of all candidates fielded in the 18th general elections, just a fraction were women.

","where-are-the-women-in-indias-general-elections","Where Are the Women in India’s General Elections?",{"_24":164,"_53":165,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":166,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-NyXga_ZJ0MyLqe5DWDE","

The Sharif government hopes to convert its loss-making state-owned enterprises into profitable ventures. Will the bureaucracy cooperate?

","confronting-the-status-quo-pakistans-uphill-battle-with-bureaucracy","Confronting the Status Quo: Pakistan’s Uphill Battle With Bureaucracy",{"_24":169,"_53":170,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":171,"_40":41,"_26":172},"-NyXga__jk_NN_khl5ID","

In recent years, elections have been repeatedly postponed. Will that be the fate of the presidential election too?

","sri-lanka-heads-toward-a-pivotal-presidential-poll","Sri Lanka Heads Toward a Pivotal Presidential Poll",{"_24":174,"_53":175,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":176,"_40":41,"_26":177},"-NyXga__jk_NN_khl5IE","

A lack of access to toilets and sanitary products plague Afghan women in the wake of recent floods, problems worsened by cultural taboos and strict gender-separation.

","afghan-women-face-serious-challenges-amid-flooding","Afghan Women Face Serious Challenges Amid Flooding",{"_24":179,"_53":180,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":181,"_40":41,"_26":182},"-NyXga__jk_NN_khl5IF","

In addition to rising prices, Kashmiris are angry that Islamabad has denied them political autonomy and rights over the region’s resources.

","making-sense-of-recent-mass-protests-in-pakistan-occupied-kashmir","Making Sense of Recent Mass Protests in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir",{"_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},"-NyXga__jk_NN_khl5IG","

By mid-May, the political blood-letting had left three of Vietnam’s five most important political posts vacant.

","vietnams-blazing-furnace-anti-corruption-campaign-continues-to-burn","Vietnam’s ‘Blazing Furnace’ Anti-Corruption Campaign Continues to Burn",{"_24":194,"_53":195,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":196,"_40":41,"_26":197},"-NyXga__jk_NN_khl5IH","

A Senate Committee is investigating the Chinese Embassy’s alleged recording of a phone call between Carlos and a Chinese military attaché in January.

","philippine-commander-denies-deal-over-south-china-sea-shoal","Philippine Commander Denies ‘Deal’ Over South China Sea Shoal",{"_24":199,"_53":200,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":201,"_40":41,"_26":202},"-NyXga__jk_NN_khl5II","

Attempts to create an upper house that is “above” the dirty reality of Thai politics have failed before – and will fail again.

","thailands-senate-election-the-definition-of-insanity","Thailand’s Senate Election: The Definition of Insanity",{"_24":204,"_53":205,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":206,"_40":41,"_26":207},"-NyXga_aSW15pS-naoTq","

Phnom Penh claims that the Funan Techo Canal will give it greater economic autonomy, but Hanoi is concerned about the project’s environmental and security implications.

","china-funded-canal-project-strains-cambodia-vietnam-ties","China-Funded Canal Project Strains Cambodia-Vietnam Ties",{"_24":209,"_53":210,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":211,"_40":41,"_26":212},"-NyXga_aSW15pS-naoTr","

Rights groups have accused the Arakan Army of displacing tens of thousands of Rohingya civilians during its seizure of the town of Buthidaung.

","arakan-army-takes-key-town-in-western-myanmar-while-denying-rohingya-attacks","Arakan Army Takes Key Town in Western Myanmar, While Denying Rohingya Attacks",{"_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},"-NyXga_g0MDtJb2ou2rC","

With the new U.S. ban on Russian uranium imports, Kazakhstan may have an opportunity. But the tyranny of geography is not so easy to overcome.

","in-russia-us-uranium-split-an-opportunity-for-kazakhstan","In Russia-U.S. Uranium Split, an Opportunity for Kazakhstan",{"_24":224,"_53":225,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":226,"_40":41,"_26":227},"-NyXga_g0MDtJb2ou2rD","

The mob, apparently triggered by a video of a fight between foreigners and locals earlier in May, “went on a rampage” targeting mostly South Asian students while raging against illegal immigration.

","south-asian-students-targeted-by-angry-mob-in-kyrgyz-capital","South Asian Students Targeted by Angry Mob in Kyrgyz Capital",{"_24":229,"_53":230,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":231,"_40":41,"_26":232},"-NyXga_g0MDtJb2ou2rE","

While some progress has been made, foreign investors are starting to wonder if Uzbekistan’s privatization agenda will ever live up to its much-lauded potential.

","privatization-in-uzbekistan-potential-far-from-fulfilled","Privatization in Uzbekistan: Potential Far From Fulfilled",{"_24":234,"_53":235,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":236,"_40":41,"_26":237},"-NyXga_g0MDtJb2ou2rF","

Under Kazakhstan’s hybrid jury model, jurors and the judge make a final decision together. In this case, the former minister was convicted of murdering his wife and handed a long sentence.

","viral-bishimbayev-trial-in-kazakhstan-ends-with-24-year-sentence","Viral Bishimbayev Trial in Kazakhstan Ends With 24-Year Sentence",{"_24":239,"_53":240,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":96,"_18":241,"_40":41,"_26":242},"-NyXga_g0MDtJb2ou2rG","

The overwhelmingly authoritarian governments in Central Asia have utilized severe repression against Islamist movements – extremist or not.

","how-authoritarian-oppression-breeds-religious-extremism-in-central-asia","How Authoritarian Oppression Breeds Religious Extremism in Central Asia",{"_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},"-NyXga_g0MDtJb2ou2rH","

The politics of populism may be able to win elections, but it is often far removed from the serious work of addressing the fundamental needs of the country.

","a-population-problem-for-australias-populists","A Population Problem for Australia’s Populists",{"_24":254,"_53":255,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":256,"_40":41,"_26":257},"-NyXga_g0MDtJb2ou2rI","

Whatever window of opportunity the election presented for a change of course on the geopolitical front has closed. But Manele has an opportunity still to deflate regional tensions.

","jeremiah-manele-becomes-solomon-islands-prime-minister","Jeremiah Manele Becomes Solomon Islands Prime Minister",{"_24":259,"_53":260,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":261,"_40":41,"_26":262},"-NyXga_hmySKxS2FqTDg","

Recent sensational revelations show how extensively Fiji has been affected by – and integral to – one of the most sensitive dimensions of China’s rise: the illicit drug trade.

","china-fiji-and-the-fentanyl-scourge","China, Fiji and the Fentanyl Scourge",{"_24":264,"_53":265,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":266,"_40":41,"_26":267},"-NybwSpTeBRt0_DoAg85","

Supporting separatism in France’s overseas territories has become a top priority as Baku seeks to punish France for its longtime sympathy for Armenia.

","new-caledonia-riots-the-azerbaijan-factor","New Caledonia Riots: The Azerbaijan Factor",{"_24":269,"_46":270,"_26":271,"_49":272},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[273,278,283],{"_24":274,"_53":275,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":276,"_40":41,"_26":277},"-NyXga_hmySKxS2FqTDj","

U.S. partners and supporters in the Indo-Pacific have growing concerns about the fallout of protectionist measures.

","the-seismic-shift-in-the-us-trade-agenda","The Seismic Shift in the US Trade Agenda",{"_24":279,"_53":280,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":281,"_40":41,"_26":282},"-NyXga_hmySKxS2FqTDk","

Three points of friction could emerge over policy toward North Korea, host-nation support, and China policy.

","how-a-second-trump-term-could-shape-the-south-korea-us-alliance","How a Second Trump Term Could Shape the South Korea-U.S. Alliance",{"_24":284,"_53":285,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":286,"_40":41,"_26":287},"-NyXga_hmySKxS2FqTDl","

As a proof of concept for the G-7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, there is a lot riding on the initiative in the northern Philippines.

","the-luzon-economic-corridor-a-badly-needed-win-for-the-us-in-southeast-asia","The Luzon Economic Corridor: A Badly-Needed Win For the US in Southeast Asia?",{"_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},"-NyXga_i3R-jOdl1Lvlu","

The two nations move ahead with Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) co-development.

","japan-us-sign-deal-to-develop-hypersonic-missile-intercept-system","Japan, US Sign Deal to Develop Hypersonic Missile Intercept System",{"_24":299,"_53":300,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":301,"_40":41,"_26":302},"-NyXga_i3R-jOdl1Lvlv","

Beijing and Moscow have different perspectives on – and different appetites for – Pyongyang’s nuclear program.

","china-and-russia-disagree-on-north-koreas-nuclear-weapons","China and Russia Disagree on North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons",{"_24":304,"_53":305,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":306,"_40":41,"_26":307},"-NyXga_i3R-jOdl1Lvlw","

Poland is choosing South Korea as a primary partner in defense deals – and it’s not alone.

","south-koreas-competitive-advantages-as-a-global-military-supplier","South Korea’s Competitive Advantages as a Global Military Supplier",{"_24":309,"_53":310,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":86,"_18":311,"_40":41,"_26":312},"-NyXga_jSSMfn8UAUPpW","

China’s vision for the Asian security order has a strong emphasis on cooperative security, but Beijing, despite new initiatives, is not quite sure how to make it happen.

","will-china-succeed-in-creating-an-asian-security-order","Will China Succeed in Creating an Asian Security Order?",{"_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},"-NyXga_jSSMfn8UAUPpY","

New Delhi has introduced an award for Indian restaurants but so far didn’t promote it adequately.

","food-for-thoughts-about-us-indias-fumbling-gastrodiplomacy","Food for Thoughts About Us: India’s Fumbling Gastrodiplomacy",{"_24":324,"_53":325,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":326,"_40":41,"_26":327},"-NyXga_jSSMfn8UAUPpZ","

Zerka Malyar and her team sought to confront the Taliban on the critical issue of women’s rights.

","an-afghan-woman-activists-visit-to-taliban-ruled-afghanistan","An Afghan Woman Activist’s Visit to Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan",{"_24":329,"_53":330,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":331,"_40":41,"_26":332},"-NyXga_jSSMfn8UAUPp_","

Taiwan, like many other liberal democracies, is grappling with the question of how to deal with illegal content on internet platforms.

","can-taiwan-block-telegram","Can Taiwan Block Telegram?","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]