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.
Bali’s beaches, bars, and luxury resorts hide a chilling past: 60 years ago, these were execution sites and mass graves.
Bali: Killing Fields in a Tropical Paradise
Bali’s beaches, bars, and luxury resorts hide a chilling past: 60 years ago, these were execution sites and mass graves.
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November 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Bali’s beaches, bars, and luxury resorts hide a chilling past: 60 years ago, these were execution sites and mass graves.
A small but growing number of Bangladeshi youth are fighting alongside the Russian army in its war against Ukraine.
Why Are Bangladeshis Joining Russia’s War in Ukraine?
Many are duped by Bangladeshi and Russian recruitment agencies into joining the Russian army. Others are drawn by social media videos.
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November 28, 2025 at 6:37 PM
A small but growing number of Bangladeshi youth are fighting alongside the Russian army in its war against Ukraine.
Until local governors are elected directly by the people in Uzbekistan, real democracy will not flourish.
In Uzbekistan, Local Development Without Local Democracy
A new scheme to allocate funds for mahalla-level infrastructure is unlikely to cater to actual local needs.
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November 28, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Until local governors are elected directly by the people in Uzbekistan, real democracy will not flourish.
Have the country’s real estate prices become untethered from the basic economic forces of supply and demand?
The Oddities of Vietnam’s Property Market, Explained
Have the country’s real estate prices become untethered from the basic economic forces of supply and demand?
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November 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Have the country’s real estate prices become untethered from the basic economic forces of supply and demand?
The current turbulence in global politics prompted IBSA to hold a summit for the first time in 14 years. India, Canada and Australia also announced a new trilateral grouping.
India Revives Old Partnership, Forges New One at G20 Summit
The current turbulence in global politics prompted IBSA to hold a summit for the first time in 14 years. India, Canada and Australia also announced a new trilateral grouping.
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November 28, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The current turbulence in global politics prompted IBSA to hold a summit for the first time in 14 years. India, Canada and Australia also announced a new trilateral grouping.
The deluges and flash floods of the past week have capped off an unusually destructive wet season in Southeast Asia.
Authorities Struggle to Respond to Devastating Floods in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
The deluges and flash floods of the past week have capped off an unusually destructive wet season in Southeast Asia.
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November 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The deluges and flash floods of the past week have capped off an unusually destructive wet season in Southeast Asia.
How did the online scam industry take root in Southeast Asia, and how did it grow to such massive proportions?
How Southeast Asia Became the Scam Capital of the World
How did the online scam industry take root in Southeast Asia, and how did it grow to such massive proportions?
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November 28, 2025 at 1:28 PM
How did the online scam industry take root in Southeast Asia, and how did it grow to such massive proportions?
The legislation sets 18 as the legal age for marriage for both males and females, but effective implementation will require significant reform.
Balochistan Enacts New Law to Criminalize Child Marriage
The legislation sets 18 as the legal age for marriage for both males and females, but effective implementation will require significant reforms.
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November 28, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The legislation sets 18 as the legal age for marriage for both males and females, but effective implementation will require significant reform.
The Singapore Police Force says that it has detected an increase in the impersonation of agency names and the “gov.sg” SMS sender ID on major messaging platforms.
Singapore Orders Tech Firms to Prevent Spoofing of Government Agencies
The Singapore Police Force says that it has detected an increase in the impersonation of agency names and the “gov.sg” SMS sender ID on major messaging platforms.
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November 28, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The Singapore Police Force says that it has detected an increase in the impersonation of agency names and the “gov.sg” SMS sender ID on major messaging platforms.
Takaichi’s forward-leaning stance on Taiwan reflects the Japanese public’s decreased opposition to such rhetoric.
Silent Streets and Shifting Norms: Japan’s Weakening Pacifist Movement
Takaichi’s forward-leaning stance on Taiwan reflects the Japanese public’s decreased opposition to such rhetoric.
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November 28, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Takaichi’s forward-leaning stance on Taiwan reflects the Japanese public’s decreased opposition to such rhetoric.
The Communist Party of Vietnam’s upcoming 14th National Congress is set to mark an important change in the country’s approach to foreign policy. buff.ly/ELkRQwh
November 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
The Communist Party of Vietnam’s upcoming 14th National Congress is set to mark an important change in the country’s approach to foreign policy. buff.ly/ELkRQwh
The tenure of Israel’s outgoing ambassador was marked by a lack of effort to engage with Chinese thought leaders or combat rising antisemitism – until it was too late.
How Israel’s Embassy Lost China
A case study of the tenure of Israel’s outgoing ambassador shows a lack of effort to engage with Chinese thought leaders or combat rising antisemitism – until it was too late.
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November 28, 2025 at 8:38 AM
The tenure of Israel’s outgoing ambassador was marked by a lack of effort to engage with Chinese thought leaders or combat rising antisemitism – until it was too late.
The pardons are designed to ensure maximum support for the upcoming election, which has been widely criticized as a sham process designed to support military rule.
Myanmar Junta Amnesties More Than 3,000 Political Prisoners in Advance of Election
The pardons are designed to ensure maximum support for the upcoming election, which has been widely criticized as a sham process designed to support military rule.
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November 28, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The pardons are designed to ensure maximum support for the upcoming election, which has been widely criticized as a sham process designed to support military rule.
If Tokyo acquires nuclear-powered subs, it would be a significant strategic shift for the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings.
Former Defense Minister Nakatani Says Japan’s Next Submarine ‘Will Eventually Need Nuclear Propulsion’
If Tokyo acquires nuclear-powered subs, it would be a significant strategic shift for the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings.
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November 28, 2025 at 6:40 AM
If Tokyo acquires nuclear-powered subs, it would be a significant strategic shift for the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings.
A tactical truce with the United States has redirected China’s coercive pressure toward Tokyo and across the Taiwan Strait.
How the Trump-Xi Summit Led to a Blow up in China-Japan Ties
A tactical truce with the United States has redirected China’s coercive pressure toward Tokyo and across the Taiwan Strait.
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November 28, 2025 at 5:31 AM
A tactical truce with the United States has redirected China’s coercive pressure toward Tokyo and across the Taiwan Strait.
Sri Lanka's military modernization should be shaped by a coherent, long-term acquisition plan, rather than what external partners are willing to donate.
Sri Lanka’s Defense Upgrade Cannot Rely on Foreign Donations Only
Its military modernization should be shaped by a coherent, long-term acquisition plan, rather than what external partners are willing to donate.
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November 28, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Sri Lanka's military modernization should be shaped by a coherent, long-term acquisition plan, rather than what external partners are willing to donate.
Chinese AI companies are changing the nature of China’s influence in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
China’s AI Push in the Persian Gulf Region
Chinese AI companies are changing the nature of China’s influence in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
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November 28, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Chinese AI companies are changing the nature of China’s influence in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
Without a new, holistic approach, India will continue to lag in achieving its goal of ending terrorism.
Delhi Explosion and India’s Counterterrorism Response
Without a new, holistic approach, India will continue to lag in achieving its goal of ending terrorism.
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November 28, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Without a new, holistic approach, India will continue to lag in achieving its goal of ending terrorism.
Despite doubts about America at home, India must play a greater leadership role to safeguard the relationship over the next three years.
How to Save India-US Relations
Despite doubts about America at home, India must play a greater leadership role to safeguard the relationship over the next three years.
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November 28, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Despite doubts about America at home, India must play a greater leadership role to safeguard the relationship over the next three years.
After massive developments in PLA aviation over the past year, it’s time for many observers to update their priors.
China’s Banner Year in Combat Aircraft
After massive developments in PLA aviation over the past year, it’s time for many observers to update their priors.
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November 28, 2025 at 12:36 AM
After massive developments in PLA aviation over the past year, it’s time for many observers to update their priors.
After the violence of October, a new prime minister is set to take office in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Protesters say that won’t change their demands.
The Political Shakeup in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir
After the violence of October, a new prime minister is set to take office. Protesters say that won’t change their demands.
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November 27, 2025 at 11:30 PM
After the violence of October, a new prime minister is set to take office in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Protesters say that won’t change their demands.
During Trump's first term, personal outreach briefly redefined the global perception of North Korea-U.S. relations.
But the Korean Peninsula of 2025 bears little resemblance to that earlier moment.
But the Korean Peninsula of 2025 bears little resemblance to that earlier moment.
Today Trump Is Talking to a Different North Korea
The DPRK of 2025 is fundamentally different – and far more dangerous – than when Trump last met Kim Jong Un.
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November 27, 2025 at 10:39 PM
During Trump's first term, personal outreach briefly redefined the global perception of North Korea-U.S. relations.
But the Korean Peninsula of 2025 bears little resemblance to that earlier moment.
But the Korean Peninsula of 2025 bears little resemblance to that earlier moment.
Washington and London’s recent unprecedented actions showed what global coordination can achieve – and what remains to be done.
Cracking Southeast Asia’s Scam Economy
Washington and London’s recent unprecedented actions showed what global coordination can achieve – and what remains to be done.
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November 27, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Washington and London’s recent unprecedented actions showed what global coordination can achieve – and what remains to be done.
Forced evictions began in the spring in the neighborhood adjacent to the modest al-Maturidi mausoleum. Then the demolition began.
Destruction in the Heart of Old Samarkand
Forced evictions began in the spring in the neighborhood adjacent to the modest al-Maturidi mausoleum. Then the demolition began.
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November 27, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Forced evictions began in the spring in the neighborhood adjacent to the modest al-Maturidi mausoleum. Then the demolition began.
Unlike the previous Sogavare government, which was extremely pro-China, the Manele government has been trying to manage both risks and opportunities with China and to diversify its international partners. But it's found less than enthusiastic support.
Solomon Islands Doesn’t Want to Depend on China. Will the West Give It a Choice?
In the Pacific, infrastructure is influence – but China appears to be alone in recognizing that.
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November 27, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Unlike the previous Sogavare government, which was extremely pro-China, the Manele government has been trying to manage both risks and opportunities with China and to diversify its international partners. But it's found less than enthusiastic support.