[{"_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","2024-08","path","/2024-08","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-O2UZL0H7X86S8WOaXaz","title","The Economic Impact of Vietnam’s Political Churn","description","Welcome to the August 2024 issue of The Diplomat. This month, our cover story examines Vietnam’s political turmoil, epitomized by the death of top leader Nguyen Phu Trong, and the implications for the country’s economy. We also trace the implementation and impact of the United States’ CHIPS Act two years after its passage, and explain the state of Mongolian politics after a bellwether general election. 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
\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",117,"date","August 2024","month",8,"year",2024,"status","rdy","toc",[44,61,70,85,95,125,155,185,215,244,269,289,313],{"_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},"-O2UZLYQIaydC7yjKkJF","lead","

Like them or not, a country’s political leaders set the ground rules for nearly every aspect of citizens’ lives.

","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},"-O2UZLYUZwLSxTGF5M0_","

Political stability is supposed to be one of Vietnam’s selling points, but its politics remain opaque and everything tends to come as a surprise.

","fear-not-the-economic-impact-of-vietnams-political-churn","Fear Not? The Economic Impact of Vietnam’s Political Churn",{"_24":71,"_46":72,"_26":73,"_49":74},"LDS",2,"Leads",[75,80],{"_24":76,"_53":77,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":78,"_40":41,"_26":79},"-O2UZLYgNLRVxtd-fMm6","

The CHIPS Act can succeed, but only if U.S. policymakers give it time to work and a mandate to focus on the future.

","the-us-chips-act-2-years-later","The US CHIPS Act, 2 Years Later",{"_24":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":83,"_40":41,"_26":84},"-O2UZLYhcaEKb_0AXz-B","

Mongolia’s ruling party unexpectedly formed a grand coalition with its opposition. Will this usher in a new era of cooperative governance, or consolidate what critics call an authoritarian turn?

","a-grand-coalition-and-a-new-era-in-mongolia","A Grand Coalition and a New Era in Mongolia",{"_24":86,"_46":87,"_26":88,"_49":89},"INT",3,"Interview",[90],{"_24":91,"_53":92,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":93,"_40":41,"_26":94},"-O2UZLYhcaEKb_0AXz-D","

Five years after the hollowing out of Article 370, “Alienation from the Indian union is high in the valley.”

","radha-kumar","Radha Kumar",{"_24":96,"_46":97,"_26":98,"_49":99},"CHN",4,"China",[100,105,110,115,120],{"_24":101,"_53":102,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":103,"_40":41,"_26":104},"-O2UZLYi7vfLKWMuzA4q","

In hosting the leaders of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Beijing wanted to ensure that it was on the same page with two of its closest partners in the Pacific before the conclave in Japan.

","chinas-pre-palm-pacific-diplomacy","China’s Pre-PALM Pacific Diplomacy",{"_24":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":108,"_40":41,"_26":109},"-O2UZLYi7vfLKWMuzA4r","

The communique was largely underwhelming, but it did outline China’s strategy for fostering innovation and technology as the foundation for future growth.

","tech-policy-in-chinas-third-plenum","Tech Policy in China’s Third Plenum",{"_24":111,"_53":112,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":72,"_18":113,"_40":41,"_26":114},"-O2UZLYjP7XOI-E_SIju","

A recent Baidu trending search term reveals Beijing’s continued efforts to suppress the private sector.

","the-manner-coffee-case-trending-terms-income-inequality-and-chinas-private-sector","The Manner Coffee Case: Trending Terms, Income Inequality, and China’s Private Sector",{"_24":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_18":118,"_40":41,"_26":119},"-O2UZLYjP7XOI-E_SIjv","

Growing numbers of Chinese universities are drawing students from partner regions such as Africa with science-focused programs.

","how-is-chinas-global-education-strategy-evolving","How Is China’s Global Education Strategy Evolving?",{"_24":121,"_53":122,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":97,"_18":123,"_40":41,"_26":124},"-O2UZLYjP7XOI-E_SIjw","

The two Chinese companies play a dominant role in the solar panel supply chain. Now even they are suffering from overconcentration of the solar industry.

","what-do-tongwei-and-longis-struggles-say-about-the-future-of-solar-supply-chains","What Do Tongwei and LONGi’s Struggles Say About the Future of Solar Supply Chains?",{"_24":126,"_46":127,"_26":128,"_49":129},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[130,135,140,145,150],{"_24":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":133,"_40":41,"_26":134},"-O2UZLYkwH4qurLdOsi5","

The reputation of Japan’s defense forces is in tatters after widespread misconduct was exposed.

","japans-defense-ministry-in-crisis","Japan’s Defense Ministry in Crisis",{"_24":136,"_53":137,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":138,"_40":41,"_26":139},"-O2UZLYkwH4qurLdOsi6","

Amid much debate between laborers and employers, the government sided with the latter.

","south-korea-decided-on-the-2025-minimum-wage-standard","South Korea Decided on the 2025 Minimum Wage Standard",{"_24":141,"_53":142,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":72,"_18":143,"_40":41,"_26":144},"-O2UZLYkwH4qurLdOsi7","

Japan’s post Cold War foreign policy evolution stems from emerging threats abroad and political reforms at home.

","japans-decades-long-diplomatic-transformation","Japan’s Decades-long Diplomatic Transformation",{"_24":146,"_53":147,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_18":148,"_40":41,"_26":149},"-O2UZLYl4Bck75Fq-Lfg","

South Korea’s ruling People Power Party remains riven by internal conflict after its national convention, where Han returned as party chief.

","who-is-han-dong-hoon","Who Is Han Dong-hoon?",{"_24":151,"_53":152,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":97,"_18":153,"_40":41,"_26":154},"-O2UZLYl4Bck75Fq-Lfh","

The rejection of unification marked a massive paradigm shift for the North Korean state and its sympathizers – including Japan’s pro-North Korean community.

","the-collateral-victims-of-kim-jong-uns-about-face-on-korean-unification","The Collateral Victims of Kim Jong Un’s About-Face on Korean Unification",{"_24":156,"_46":157,"_26":158,"_49":159},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[160,165,170,175,180],{"_24":161,"_53":162,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":163,"_40":41,"_26":164},"-O2UZLYl4Bck75Fq-Lfi","

A tsunami of “outsiders” will head to the island once the projects are completed, drowning the Shompen and Nicobarese locals, and their unique identity.

","a-mega-infrastructure-project-on-indias-great-nicobar-island-spells-devastation","A Mega Infrastructure Project on India’s Great Nicobar Island Spells Devastation",{"_24":166,"_53":167,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":168,"_40":41,"_26":169},"-O2UZLYl4Bck75Fq-Lfj","

The deal’s conditions could complicate domestic politics further and strain ties with some of its allies as well.

","should-pakistan-celebrate-the-new-imf-deal","Should Pakistan Celebrate the New IMF Deal?",{"_24":171,"_53":172,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":72,"_18":173,"_40":41,"_26":174},"-O2UZLYmmmq2gtcSf6au","

Student protests against quotas in Bangladeshi government jobs have escalated into a nationwide anti-Hasina movement.

","is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-sheikh-hasinas-rule","Is This the Beginning of the End of Sheikh Hasina’s Rule?",{"_24":176,"_53":177,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_18":178,"_40":41,"_26":179},"-O2UZLYmmmq2gtcSf6av","

The prolonged conflict, nearing a civil war, is causing a significant and irreversible shift in how the people of Manipur perceive each other and New Delhi.

","the-manipur-conflict-internal-discontent-policy-gaps-and-regional-implications","The Manipur Conflict: Internal Discontent, Policy Gaps, and Regional Implications",{"_24":181,"_53":182,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":97,"_18":183,"_40":41,"_26":184},"-O2UZLYnKAWVJ_RqCG2G","

For Bhutanese women, work in the liquor industry involves a trade-off between economic and gendered vulnerabilities.

","female-migrant-workers-in-bhutans-liquor-industry","Female Migrant Workers in Bhutan’s Liquor Industry",{"_24":186,"_46":187,"_26":188,"_49":189},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[190,195,200,205,210],{"_24":191,"_53":192,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":193,"_40":41,"_26":194},"-O2UZLYnKAWVJ_RqCG2H","

Last year, the U.S. and U.K. announced sanctions against companies that import jet fuel to Myanmar. It’s not working.

","jet-fuel-and-loopholes-in-myanmar","Jet Fuel and Loopholes in Myanmar",{"_24":196,"_53":197,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":198,"_40":41,"_26":199},"-O2UZLYnKAWVJ_RqCG2I","

An ongoing investigation into Alice Guo, the mayor of a small city in Luzon, has prompted increased scrutiny of online gambling operations – and their possible links to Chinese espionage.

","the-problem-with-pogos","The Problem With POGOs",{"_24":201,"_53":202,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":72,"_18":203,"_40":41,"_26":204},"-O2UZLYnKAWVJ_RqCG2J","

In late June, 16 senior JI figures announced the group’s dissolution, and said they were “ready to actively contribute to Indonesia’s progress and dignity.”

","jemaah-islamiyah-says-it-has-disbanded-should-we-believe-it","Jemaah Islamiyah Says It Has Disbanded. Should We Believe It?",{"_24":206,"_53":207,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_18":208,"_40":41,"_26":209},"-O2UZLYo9gfw09oDFyF1","

Domestic politics are part of it, but the real problem is that macroeconomic conditions are not favorable for Thailand’s export-heavy economy.

","whats-really-ailing-thailands-economy","What’s Really Ailing Thailand’s Economy?",{"_24":211,"_53":212,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":97,"_18":213,"_40":41,"_26":214},"-O2UZLYo9gfw09oDFyF2","

Malaysia and Indonesia are both beginning to reduce long-standing subsidies that have kept fuel prices well below market rates.

","is-fuel-subsidy-reform-finally-on-the-way-in-southeast-asia","Is Fuel Subsidy Reform Finally On the Way in Southeast Asia?",{"_24":216,"_46":37,"_26":217,"_49":218},"CEA","Central Asia",[219,224,229,234,239],{"_24":220,"_53":221,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":222,"_40":41,"_26":223},"-O2UZLYo9gfw09oDFyF3","

Sometimes the two sides of an argument are not equal in weight; one side is lying.

","un-working-group-on-arbitrary-detention-again-issues-opinions-against-tajikistan","UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Again Issues Opinions Against Tajikistan",{"_24":225,"_53":226,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":227,"_40":41,"_26":228},"-O2UZLYo9gfw09oDFyF4","

The Astana SCO Summit was Russia’s first as a junior partner to China.

","widening-inequality-between-russia-and-china-on-display-at-sco-summit","Widening Inequality Between Russia and China on Display at SCO Summit",{"_24":230,"_53":231,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":72,"_18":232,"_40":41,"_26":233},"-O2UZLYo9gfw09oDFyF5","

Despite presidential promises, arrests of bloggers critical of the government highlight the fragility of free speech in Mirziyoyev’s Uzbekistan.

","bloggers-in-the-crosshairs-the-complex-reality-of-media-freedom-in-uzbekistan","Bloggers in the Crosshairs: The Complex Reality of Media Freedom in Uzbekistan",{"_24":235,"_53":236,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_18":237,"_40":41,"_26":238},"-O2UZLYphkH0zpdly1Jj","

The parties said they reached a settlement more than a decade after arbitration proceedings started.

","the-stati-v-kazakhstan-saga-ends","The Stati v Kazakhstan Saga Ends",{"_24":240,"_53":241,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":97,"_18":242,"_40":41,"_26":243},"-O2UZLYphkH0zpdly1Jk","

Not so fast. Rather than grow, Moscow’s military bloc is poised to shrink.

","will-the-csto-russias-answer-to-nato-expand","Will the CSTO, Russia’s Answer to NATO, Expand?",{"_24":245,"_46":246,"_26":247,"_49":248},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[249,254,259,264],{"_24":250,"_53":251,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":252,"_40":41,"_26":253},"-O2UZLYphkH0zpdly1Jl","

Democracy the world over faces a “new constellation of challenges.”

","how-australia-can-stave-off-democratic-decay","How Australia Can Stave Off Democratic Decay",{"_24":255,"_53":256,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":257,"_40":41,"_26":258},"-O2UZLYqoQllV_E-oQdF","

Jeremiah Manele’s visits to Australia and China highlight his pressing domestic challenges – and outside powers’ longstanding policy failures toward the region.

","solomon-islands-pm-maneles-foreign-visits-more-than-a-mere-balancing-act","Solomon Islands PM Manele’s Foreign Visits: More Than a Mere Balancing Act",{"_24":260,"_53":261,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":72,"_18":262,"_40":41,"_26":263},"-O2UZLYqoQllV_E-oQdG","

The Pacific is no tranquil backwater but rather a dynamic frontier of global geopolitics.

","tropical-tug-of-war-china-and-the-wests-influence-battle-in-the-pacific","Tropical Tug-of-War: China and the West’s Influence Battle in the Pacific",{"_24":265,"_53":266,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_18":267,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-O2UZLYqoQllV_E-oQdH","

While the immediate unrest has paused, Kanaks say that sustainable peace is dependent on their grievances being addressed.

","new-caledonia-two-dreams-one-political-future","New Caledonia: Two Dreams, One Political Future",{"_24":270,"_46":271,"_26":272,"_49":273},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[274,279,284],{"_24":275,"_53":276,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":277,"_40":41,"_26":278},"-O2UZLYqoQllV_E-oQdJ","

The biggest divide between the successful killing of Abe and the attempt on Trump’s life is how the United States and Japan are moving forward since the events.

","donald-trump-and-abe-shinzo-the-us-and-japans-very-different-political-assassination-experiences","Donald Trump and Abe Shinzo: The US and Japan’s Very Different Political Assassination Experiences",{"_24":280,"_53":281,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":282,"_40":41,"_26":283},"-O2UZLYrp7hiE8y2W7UZ","

The situation recalls the early 1950s, when U.S. arms sales to Taiwan were delayed by other priorities. Unfortunately, Taiwan’s need is much greater today.

","delayed-us-arms-transfers-to-taiwan-deja-vu","Delayed US Arms Transfers to Taiwan: Déjà Vu?",{"_24":285,"_53":286,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":72,"_18":287,"_40":41,"_26":288},"-O2UZLYrp7hiE8y2W7U_","

The ramifications of the TikTok case on presidential authority resonate with a significant judicial landmark in China-U.S. relations from over four decades ago: 1978’s Goldwater v. Carter.

","how-will-the-judicial-branch-impact-the-future-of-tiktok-and-china-us-relations","How Will the Judicial Branch Impact the Future of TikTok and China-US Relations?",{"_24":290,"_46":291,"_26":292,"_49":293},"SCR",11,"Security",[294,299,304,308],{"_24":295,"_53":296,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":297,"_40":41,"_26":298},"-O2UZLYsSIWY-aIl347J","

Japan’s Pacific coast remains a weak link for air defense and control. A new deployment on an island between Okinawa and Guam aims to address that.

","japan-plans-to-deploy-surveillance-radar-on-pacific-island","Japan Plans to Deploy Surveillance Radar on Pacific Island",{"_24":300,"_53":301,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":302,"_40":41,"_26":303},"-O2UZLYsSIWY-aIl347K","

The United States’ Indo-Pacific adversaries are already working on their next-generation fighter jets. Washington can’t fall behind.

","navigating-next-gen-air-power-in-the-indo-pacific","Navigating Next-Gen Air Power in the Indo-Pacific",{"_24":305,"_53":306,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":72,"_18":302,"_40":41,"_26":307},"-O2UZLYsSIWY-aIl347L","

It appears that the Ulu Tiram attack was inspired by Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, but the suspects were not formally affiliated with or directed by the group.

","The Ulu Tiram Attack: Inspiration for Terror in Malaysia",{"_24":309,"_53":310,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":87,"_18":311,"_40":41,"_26":312},"-O2UZLYtIrTAO1xA2g92","

NATO has been taking its lessons from the Euro-Atlantic area to prepare for contingencies in the Indo-Pacific.

","natos-new-mission-keep-america-in-russia-down-and-china-out","NATO’s New Mission: Keep America in, Russia Down, and China Out",{"_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},"-O2UZLYtIrTAO1xA2g94","

What does the wedding of India’s richest man’s son tell us about the linkage between Indian business and politics?

","the-ambani-wedding-bonanza-a-marriage-of-business-and-politics","The Ambani Wedding Bonanza: A Marriage of Business and Politics",{"_24":324,"_53":325,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":326,"_40":41,"_26":327},"-O2UZLYtIrTAO1xA2g95","

Over the last decade, Pakistan has built up its legal infrastructure to combat GBV, but implementation remains deeply flawed. Can civil society fill in the gaps?

","shattering-silence-pakistans-journey-against-gender-based-violence","Shattering Silence: Pakistan’s Journey Against Gender-Based Violence",{"_24":329,"_53":330,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":72,"_18":331,"_40":41,"_26":332},"-O2UZLYupslHa1Is7wWt","

Video-sharing platforms have experienced a “remarkable” growth spurt so far this year.

","thailands-appetite-for-bite-sized-news","Thailand’s Appetite for Bite-sized News","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]