The Diplomat
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The premier international affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific, covering politics, defense and society from China and Kazakhstan to Myanmar and Australia. thediplomat.com
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The Diplomat
@thediplomat.com
· Dec 3
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.
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Hello Bluesky!
We're The Diplomat and if you want to know what's happening in Asia you should read us.
Hello Bluesky!
We're The Diplomat and if you want to know what's happening in Asia you should read us.
China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and it always has a tried-and-tested toolkit for evading sanctions enforcement.
Why China Isn’t Worried About New US Sanctions on Iran
China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and it always has a tried-and-tested toolkit for evading sanctions enforcement.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 11:30 PM
China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and it always has a tried-and-tested toolkit for evading sanctions enforcement.
The Socialist Patriotic Youth League offers a window into how the North Korean authorities uses state-run organizations to govern.
How North Korea Uses an 80-Year-Old Youth Group to Control Society
The Socialist Patriotic Youth League offers a window into how the North Korean authorities uses state-run organizations to govern.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 10:39 PM
The Socialist Patriotic Youth League offers a window into how the North Korean authorities uses state-run organizations to govern.
America’s AI-fueled boom and China’s export-led model are showing signs of strain. For India, the implications are weaker global demand, tougher trade conditions, and limited room for easy external growth in 2026.
The World India Must Budget For
America’s AI-fueled boom and China’s export-led model are showing signs of strain. For India, the implications are weaker global demand, tougher trade conditions, and limited room for easy external…
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 9:30 PM
America’s AI-fueled boom and China’s export-led model are showing signs of strain. For India, the implications are weaker global demand, tougher trade conditions, and limited room for easy external growth in 2026.
ICFAI Group has carved a unique niche in India’s educational landscape.
ICFAI Group: Shaping India’s Future Through Quality Education
The institution’s commitment to accessibility, innovation and industry collaboration is transforming leadership in India’s higher education landscape.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 8:35 PM
ICFAI Group has carved a unique niche in India’s educational landscape.
Questions are being raise worldwide, including in Taiwan, about the credibility of U.S. economic, security, and other commitments under a more openly transactional “Donroe Doctrine.”
What Does Trump’s Greenland Grab Mean for Taiwan?
Questions are being raise worldwide, including in Taiwan, about the credibility of U.S. economic, security, and other commitments under a more openly transactional “Donroe Doctrine.”
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Questions are being raise worldwide, including in Taiwan, about the credibility of U.S. economic, security, and other commitments under a more openly transactional “Donroe Doctrine.”
A review of major developments in the PLAN over the past 5 years – and where the fleet is likely to go from here.
The Growth of China’s Navy: Past, Present, and Future
A review of major developments in the PLAN over the past 5 years – and where the fleet is likely to go from here.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 6:37 PM
A review of major developments in the PLAN over the past 5 years – and where the fleet is likely to go from here.
Given all that’s at stake, how would Japan respond if China invaded Taiwan?
If China Invades Taiwan, What Would Japan Do?
Given all that’s at stake, how would Japan respond in a scenario that could lead to the world’s first great power war since 1945?
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January 21, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Given all that’s at stake, how would Japan respond if China invaded Taiwan?
How did To Lam survive a brush with scandal to become Vietnam’s most powerful leader in decades?
To Lam: The Spectacular Rise of Vietnam’s New Strongman
How did To Lam survive a brush with scandal to become Vietnam’s most powerful leader in decades?
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 4:33 PM
How did To Lam survive a brush with scandal to become Vietnam’s most powerful leader in decades?
China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and it always has a tried-and-tested toolkit for evading sanctions enforcement.
Why China Isn’t Worried About New US Sanctions on Iran
China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and it always has a tried-and-tested toolkit for evading sanctions enforcement.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 3:30 PM
China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and it always has a tried-and-tested toolkit for evading sanctions enforcement.
Pakistan has reacted cautiously to an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join a newly proposed international body, called the “Board of Peace.”
Pakistan Weighs Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ Invitation Amid International Caution
Islamabad wouldn’t want to back a setup that undermines the U.N. or pokes at Beijing’s diplomatic, economic, or security interests.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Pakistan has reacted cautiously to an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join a newly proposed international body, called the “Board of Peace.”
It’s one of the most consequential questions in the world today – and no one really knows the answer: Can China's military actually fight?
Can China’s Military Actually Fight?
It’s one of the most consequential questions in the world today – and no one really knows the answer.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 12:33 PM
It’s one of the most consequential questions in the world today – and no one really knows the answer: Can China's military actually fight?
The U.S. State Department has reportedly frozen the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including more than a dozen in Asia, deemed likely to “take welfare and public benefits.”
US Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, 13 in Asia-Pacific
The Asian countries apparently impacted include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 11:29 AM
The U.S. State Department has reportedly frozen the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including more than a dozen in Asia, deemed likely to “take welfare and public benefits.”
At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, the scale and pace of major military procurements in Southeast Asia is increasing.
Southeast Asia’s Military Modernization Set to Accelerate in 2026
At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, the scale and pace of major military procurements in the region is increasing.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 10:36 AM
At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, the scale and pace of major military procurements in Southeast Asia is increasing.
While the U.S. visa bond pilot program largely targets countries in Africa, the latest expansion includes countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.
US Expands Visa Bond List to Include Bangladesh, Tonga, and Kyrgyzstan, Among Other Asian Countries
While the pilot program largely targets countries in Africa, the latest expansion includes countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 9:34 AM
While the U.S. visa bond pilot program largely targets countries in Africa, the latest expansion includes countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.
Yes, China’s response to the violence in Iran has been muted. But don’t overlook the support that China has already provided in the form of surveillance and drone technology.
China Won’t Save Iran’s Regime – But Chinese Surveillance Technology Might
Yes, China’s response to the violence in Iran has been muted. But don’t overlook the support that China has already provided in the form of surveillance and drone technology.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Yes, China’s response to the violence in Iran has been muted. But don’t overlook the support that China has already provided in the form of surveillance and drone technology.
Amid intense focus on export restrictions and decoupling, far less attention has been paid to how China is responding to U.S.-led diversification efforts.
China’s Multilayered Approach to Rare Earths Under US-Led Decoupling
Amid intense focus on export restrictions and decoupling, far less attention has been paid to how China is responding to U.S.-led diversification efforts.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Amid intense focus on export restrictions and decoupling, far less attention has been paid to how China is responding to U.S.-led diversification efforts.
In Thailand, national attention on the Cambodian border also serves nationalist audiences and benefits military-aligned parties.
However, it is clear that the Deep South provinces haven’t fully entered into the political calculus.
However, it is clear that the Deep South provinces haven’t fully entered into the political calculus.
The Political Neglect of Thailand’s Deep South Cannot Continue
A series of petrol station bombings on January 11 is a reminder of the conflict that continues to fester in the country’s southern provinces.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 6:40 AM
In Thailand, national attention on the Cambodian border also serves nationalist audiences and benefits military-aligned parties.
However, it is clear that the Deep South provinces haven’t fully entered into the political calculus.
However, it is clear that the Deep South provinces haven’t fully entered into the political calculus.
Yes, China’s official response to the violence in Iran has been muted. But don’t overlook the crucial support that China has already provided in the form of surveillance and drone technology.
China Won’t Save Iran’s Regime – But Chinese Surveillance Technology Might
Yes, China’s response to the violence in Iran has been muted. But don’t overlook the support that China has already provided in the form of surveillance and drone technology.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Yes, China’s official response to the violence in Iran has been muted. But don’t overlook the crucial support that China has already provided in the form of surveillance and drone technology.
To Lam is poised to cement his control over the ruling Communist Party for another five years. How did he rise to the tope of Vietnamese politics?
To Lam: The Spectacular Rise of Vietnam’s New Strongman
How did To Lam survive a brush with scandal to become Vietnam’s most powerful leader in decades?
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 4:31 AM
To Lam is poised to cement his control over the ruling Communist Party for another five years. How did he rise to the tope of Vietnamese politics?
As Tashkent’s blacklist of online sources expands, Telegram-based accounts consistently form the largest share.
Why Is Telegram at the Center of Uzbekistan’s Expanding Extremism Blacklist?
As Tashkent’s blacklist of online sources expands, Telegram-based accounts consistently form the largest share.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 3:29 AM
As Tashkent’s blacklist of online sources expands, Telegram-based accounts consistently form the largest share.
But Sri Lanka’s post-Ditwah rebuilding drive seems to have hit an unexpected snag: Construction firms say they cannot find enough skilled workers. This is ironic because around 300,000 Sri Lankans leave the country each year in search of work.
Sri Lanka’s Labor Paradox: Exporting Workers, Importing Builders
More workers leaving the country brings in higher remittances, but their departure hollows out the productive sectors of the economy.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 2:35 AM
But Sri Lanka’s post-Ditwah rebuilding drive seems to have hit an unexpected snag: Construction firms say they cannot find enough skilled workers. This is ironic because around 300,000 Sri Lankans leave the country each year in search of work.
Even as evermore ferocious climate catastrophes batter communities across the Asia-Pacific region, some of the largest financial institutions are propping up the very activities fueling these disasters.
Across the Asia-Pacific, Financial Institutions Are Investing in Climate Damaging Industries
We’re all paying the price of banks and pension funds fueling climate disasters.
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Even as evermore ferocious climate catastrophes batter communities across the Asia-Pacific region, some of the largest financial institutions are propping up the very activities fueling these disasters.
"China uses every means necessary to hide its crimes, intensifying its propaganda and spreading misinformation.
However, no matter what they do, they cannot hide the genocide and crimes against humanity."
However, no matter what they do, they cannot hide the genocide and crimes against humanity."
Sayragul Sauytbay Speaks: Xinjiang, China, and Fighting for Justice
“I believe that, eventually, the Chinese government will pay the price for its actions.”
buff.ly
January 21, 2026 at 12:36 AM
"China uses every means necessary to hide its crimes, intensifying its propaganda and spreading misinformation.
However, no matter what they do, they cannot hide the genocide and crimes against humanity."
However, no matter what they do, they cannot hide the genocide and crimes against humanity."
The Arctic Circle may be far away from Australia’s shores, but Trump's threats against Greenland are being closely watched in Canberra.
Why Australia Is Watching the Greenland Drama Carefully
Australia may be far from the direct consequences of a U.S. attack on Greenland, but the disintegration of trust in the U.S. that would be confirmed by such an action would be felt deeply.
buff.ly
January 20, 2026 at 11:30 PM
The Arctic Circle may be far away from Australia’s shores, but Trump's threats against Greenland are being closely watched in Canberra.
At a meeting in Beijing, the architects of China’s AI ecosystem outlined a new path to AI dominance – one that avoids U.S. hurdles.
China’s ‘Frugal Stack’ and Its Path to AI Diffusion
At a meeting in Beijing, the architects of China’s AI ecosystem outlined a new path to AI dominance – one that avoids U.S. hurdles.
buff.ly
January 20, 2026 at 10:44 PM
At a meeting in Beijing, the architects of China’s AI ecosystem outlined a new path to AI dominance – one that avoids U.S. hurdles.