Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The Diplomat

@thediplomat.com

2.4K followers 1 following 7.1K posts

The premier international affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific, covering politics, defense and society from China and Kazakhstan to Myanmar and Australia. thediplomat.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · Dec 3

*tap tap* Is this thing on?

Hello Bluesky!

We're The Diplomat and if you want to know what's happening in Asia you should read us.

The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

In-depth analysis and commentary on events across the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on geopolitics, defense, economics, social, and environmental issues.

buff.ly

5 44

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 25m

India claims to have employed AI during the 2025 Indo-Pak crisis, which marks an unprecedented development in South Asia. buff.ly/PTqGQfb

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 1h

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea showcased its newest ICBM.

buff.ly/1XTUJHq

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 2h

The United States has expressed its support for the Philippines after the latest clash between Chinese and Philippine vessels in a disputed part of the South China Sea.

buff.ly/YUr4JJt

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 3h

After it came to power, the NPP government rolled out a sweeping anti-drug and anti-crime drive. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, police have stopped and searched close to a quarter of the population. buff.ly/ZY9fei3

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 4h

Under the second Trump administration, China overall is in a better position to spread its influence in competition with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific.

buff.ly/FmGws2C

1 3

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 5h

Trump’s moves are casting doubt on the prospect of a Leaders Summit – and the future of the Quad itself.

buff.ly/npEoqr0

1 1

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 6h

Oppressive security laws and secret detentions are being used to silence Baloch people who have only asked for fair treatment on their own land.

buff.ly/Osiiz0s

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 7h

Central Asia is emerging as one of the most attractive destinations for financial flows from the Middle East. buff.ly/bZDah01

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 8h

U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictability, and the uncertain future of Quad, makes it imperative to strengthen ties between Australia and India. buff.ly/TdVW3lY

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 9h

Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has launched the sixth Taigei-class diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) on order for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Japan Launches 6th Taigei-Class Submarine for JMSDF

The newly launched SSK, JS Sogei, is expected to enter service in March 2027.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 10h

For the Central Asian states, the Iran sanctions are far from a distant diplomatic issue – they hit directly at the region’s plans for trade and transit. buff.ly/G0Yn8SS

Snapback Sanctions on Iran: Risks for Central Asia

Central Asia’s trade with Iran will likely not collapse entirely but will become more expensive, slower, and risk-laden.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 11h

Scholars, commentators, and artists have the responsibility to foster peace between India and Pakistan by emphasizing the region’s vast historical and cultural common ground. buff.ly/mZu48ba

India, Pakistan, and Breaking Out of the ‘Continent of Circe’

Scholars, commentators, and artists have the responsibility to foster peace by emphasizing the region’s vast historical and cultural common ground.

buff.ly

1 1

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 12h

The Indian defense minister’s visit to Canberra underscores that New Delhi is committed to building ties with its Indo-Pacific partners.

From Ambition to Action: Rajnath Singh’s Visit Deepens Australia-India Ties

The Indian defense minister’s visit to Canberra underscores that New Delhi is committed to building ties with its Indo-Pacific partners.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 13h

Australian nationals should have been repatriated from Syria long ago – but that doesn’t mean the "ISIS brides" aren’t a threat.

Some of Australia’s ‘ISIS Brides’ Have Returned

Australian nationals should have been repatriated from Syria long ago – but that doesn’t mean these women aren’t a threat.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 14h

The October 8-10 CIS summit was largely seen as a test of Russia’s eroding influence in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Dushanbe Hosts Putin and Leaders of Commonwealth of Independent States

The October 8-10 summit was largely seen as a test of Russia’s eroding influence in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 15h

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea showcased its newest ICBM.

North Korea Hosts Military Parade With China, Russia Looking On

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea showcased its newest ICBM.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 16h

With its outreach to the Taliban and its all-out courting of the regime, India has made a decisive move. But the road ahead is uncertain.

India Upgrades Ties With Taliban Regime

New Delhi has announced the reopening of its embassy in Kabul and a slew of new projects in Afghanistan.

buff.ly

1 3

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 17h

Washington’s statement followed an incident in the vicinity of Thitu Island, the largest Philippine-occupied feature in the Spratly Islands.

US Backs Philippine Ally After Latest Maritime Clash With China

Washington’s statement followed an incident in the vicinity of Thitu Island, the largest Philippine-occupied feature in the Spratly Islands.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 18h

New Delhi’s claim is an unprecedented development in South Asia. How will Pakistan respond?

India’s Use of Artificial Intelligence During the Indo-Pak Four-Day Crisis

New Delhi’s claim is an unprecedented development in South Asia. How will Pakistan respond?

buff.ly

1 1

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 19h

Many Chinese scientists are highly cited, but Nobel laureates remain scarce.

When Will China Begin Earning Nobel Prizes in Science?

Many Chinese scientists are highly cited, but Nobel laureates remain scarce.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 20h

A conversation with veteran rights advocate Phil Robertson.

Is Reconciling Cambodia and Thailand Possible?

A conversation with veteran rights advocate Phil Robertson.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 21h

Why yet another resolution on accountability is being rejected by victims.

The UN’s Sri Lanka Failure

Why yet another resolution on accountability is being rejected by victims.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 22h

Under the second Trump administration, China overall is in a better position to spread its influence in competition with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific.

Trump, China, and Declining US Influence in Asia

Under the second Trump administration, China overall is in a better position to spread its influence in competition with the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific.

buff.ly

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 23h

Luke Hunt and Phil Robertson discuss the link between transnational repression and the Cambodia-Thailand conflict. Listen to the full episode on Spotify: buff.ly/uDzEtY1

1 1

The Diplomat @thediplomat.com · 1d

Check out Diplomat Asia, The Diplomat’s new YouTube channel offering in-depth explainers of hot topics in the Indo-Pacific. First up: a look at the past, present, and future of the Quad. buff.ly/YLm8ONd