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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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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.
With this first round of signaling complete, North Korea has a few policy options for addressing any potential risks or fears associated with the type of actions the U.S. executed in Venezuela.
How North Korea Responded to the US Gambit in Venezuela
Pyongyang was slow in issuing a relatively tempered statement, but also turned a missile launch event into a tool for deterrence signaling.
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January 11, 2026 at 3:29 AM
With this first round of signaling complete, North Korea has a few policy options for addressing any potential risks or fears associated with the type of actions the U.S. executed in Venezuela.
Citizens of certain countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands now need to put down a bond of up to $15,000 to visit the United States.
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.
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January 11, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Citizens of certain countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands now need to put down a bond of up to $15,000 to visit the United States.
Xi Jinping, China’s top leader, has made it his personal mission to make sure China’s military could fight and win wars. Has he succeeded?
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.
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January 11, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Xi Jinping, China’s top leader, has made it his personal mission to make sure China’s military could fight and win wars. Has he succeeded?
Tokayev not only ensured the regime’s survival but also consolidated his authority by promoting a narrative that pitted the “old” against the “new” Kazakhstan.
Transition Without Change: Kazakhstan’s Tokayev Era
Kazakhstan has undergone a transition of power without fundamental change in the regime.
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January 11, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Tokayev not only ensured the regime’s survival but also consolidated his authority by promoting a narrative that pitted the “old” against the “new” Kazakhstan.
Once proud of its reputation as Central Asia’s democratic outlier, Kyrgyzstan now looks like a typical resident of the neighborhood: centralized authority, silenced dissent, and fear of open criticism.
Kyrgyzstan Under the Khanstitution: 5 Years On
Once proud of its reputation as Central Asia’s democratic outlier, Kyrgyzstan now looks like a typical resident of the neighborhood: centralized authority, silenced dissent, and fear of open…
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January 11, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Once proud of its reputation as Central Asia’s democratic outlier, Kyrgyzstan now looks like a typical resident of the neighborhood: centralized authority, silenced dissent, and fear of open criticism.
Every minute of the Russo-Ukrainian war has showcased the level of adaptation needed for survival, presenting Taiwan with both a model and a warning: act fast or suffer losses.
Ukraine as a Model, a Warning, and a Partner for Taiwan’s Drone Industry
Every minute of the Russo-Ukrainian war has showcased the level of adaptation needed for survival, presenting Taiwan with both a model and a warning: act fast or suffer losses.
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January 10, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Every minute of the Russo-Ukrainian war has showcased the level of adaptation needed for survival, presenting Taiwan with both a model and a warning: act fast or suffer losses.
For more than two centuries, Tamil tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka have been trapped in poverty, enduring structural discrimination and hazardous conditions despite repeated promises of reform.
An Unfair Trade: Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tea Workers
For more than two centuries, Tamil tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka have been trapped in poverty, enduring structural discrimination and hazardous conditions despite repeated promises of reform.
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January 10, 2026 at 10:39 PM
For more than two centuries, Tamil tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka have been trapped in poverty, enduring structural discrimination and hazardous conditions despite repeated promises of reform.
A military that looks formidable on paper – but has never truly been tested in combat – is a recipe for catastrophic strategic miscalculation.
So right now, one of the most consequential questions in the world is this: Can China’s military actually fight?
So right now, one of the most consequential questions in the world is this: 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 10, 2026 at 9:30 PM
A military that looks formidable on paper – but has never truly been tested in combat – is a recipe for catastrophic strategic miscalculation.
So right now, one of the most consequential questions in the world is this: Can China’s military actually fight?
So right now, one of the most consequential questions in the world is this: Can China’s military actually fight?
Ideological rhetoric and security-centric diplomacy have undercut the trust India fostered with its neighbors via previous economic engagement.
South Asia’s Strategic Shift: How India Lost the Diplomatic Initiative With Its Neighbors
Ideological rhetoric and security-centric diplomacy have undercut the trust India fostered with its neighbors via previous economic engagement.
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January 10, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Ideological rhetoric and security-centric diplomacy have undercut the trust India fostered with its neighbors via previous economic engagement.
For the second time in a month, Uzbek authorities have restricted hours at filling stations due to a drop in gas pipeline pressure.
Uzbekistan Reimposes Gas Station Restrictions
For the second time in a month, Uzbek authorities have restricted hours at methane filling stations due to a drop in gas pipeline pressure.
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January 10, 2026 at 7:28 PM
For the second time in a month, Uzbek authorities have restricted hours at filling stations due to a drop in gas pipeline pressure.
Malaysian prosecutors have officially ended their corruption case against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, an important member of the country’s ruling coalition, due to insufficient evidence.
Malaysian Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Deputy PM and Key Anwar Ally
The Attorney General’s Chambers said that it was dropping the case against UMNO’s Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in the “the interests of justice.”
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January 10, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Malaysian prosecutors have officially ended their corruption case against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, an important member of the country’s ruling coalition, due to insufficient evidence.
Tensions between China and Japan have entered a new and more volatile phase following Beijing’s decision to impose export controls on certain dual-use goods destined for Japan.
How Will China’s New Export Controls Impact Japan?
China has prohibited dual-use goods, including some rare earth elements, from being exported to Japan.
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January 10, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Tensions between China and Japan have entered a new and more volatile phase following Beijing’s decision to impose export controls on certain dual-use goods destined for Japan.
Tashkent’s progress with the WTO accelerated in 2023 and the finish line is in sight.
Uzbekistan Eyes March 2026 Accession to the WTO
Tashkent’s progress with the WTO accelerated in 2023 and the finish line is in sight.
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January 10, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Tashkent’s progress with the WTO accelerated in 2023 and the finish line is in sight.
Something is deeply wrong inside the People’s Liberation Army, or PLA. And Xi Jinping knows it.
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 10, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Something is deeply wrong inside the People’s Liberation Army, or PLA. And Xi Jinping knows it.
Once proud of its reputation as Central Asia’s democratic outlier, Kyrgyzstan now looks like a typical resident of the neighborhood: centralized authority, silenced dissent, and fear of open criticism.
Kyrgyzstan Under the Khanstitution: 5 Years On
Once proud of its reputation as Central Asia’s democratic outlier, Kyrgyzstan now looks like a typical resident of the neighborhood: centralized authority, silenced dissent, and fear of open…
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Once proud of its reputation as Central Asia’s democratic outlier, Kyrgyzstan now looks like a typical resident of the neighborhood: centralized authority, silenced dissent, and fear of open criticism.
in a country long accustomed to ethnic homogeneity, even those who recognize the importance of foreign labor to address workforce shortages feel pressured by social norms and the current political climate to oppose immigration.
The Paradox of Japan’s Anti-Immigrant Sentiments and Demand for Foreign Labor
Immigrants in Japan have now reached a record high of nearly 4 million, accounting for around 3.2 percent of the country’s total population.
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January 10, 2026 at 1:28 PM
in a country long accustomed to ethnic homogeneity, even those who recognize the importance of foreign labor to address workforce shortages feel pressured by social norms and the current political climate to oppose immigration.
TSMC’s legal cases should not be taken for more than they are: the company’s pursuit of protecting its IP and Taiwan’s trade theft protection system working as it should.
TSMC’s Trade Theft Cases Aren’t a ‘Bad Look’ for Taiwan
TSMC’s legal cases should not be taken for more than they are: the company’s pursuit of protecting its IP and Taiwan’s trade theft protection system working as it should.
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January 10, 2026 at 12:33 PM
TSMC’s legal cases should not be taken for more than they are: the company’s pursuit of protecting its IP and Taiwan’s trade theft protection system working as it should.
Domestic discourse in China frames the relationship as a calculated balancing act to prevent India from aligning firmly with the U.S. – even while Beijing maintains its aggressive stance on security issues.
What Do Chinese Analysts Say About the Thaw With India?
Domestic discourse in China frames the relationship as a calculated balancing act to prevent India from aligning firmly with the U.S. – even while Beijing maintains its aggressive stance on security…
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January 10, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Domestic discourse in China frames the relationship as a calculated balancing act to prevent India from aligning firmly with the U.S. – even while Beijing maintains its aggressive stance on security issues.
Manus’ acquisition by Meta will be hard to replicated by other Chinese technology firms seeking pathways into the U.S. market.
Manus’ Meta Buyout Tests the Limits of a Transferable China Tech Model for Going Global
Manus’ acquisition by Meta will be hard to replicated by other Chinese technology firms seeking pathways into the U.S. market.
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January 10, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Manus’ acquisition by Meta will be hard to replicated by other Chinese technology firms seeking pathways into the U.S. market.
Venezuela is one of China’s closest political and economic partners in Latin America – or it used to be.
What the US Intervention in Venezuela Means for China’s Presence in Latin America
Venezuela is one of China’s closest political and economic partners in Latin America – or it used to be.
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January 10, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Venezuela is one of China’s closest political and economic partners in Latin America – or it used to be.
The annual visit to 4-5 African countries by China's foreign minister has become traditional – but each year it’s still accompanied by concrete objectives.
For Africa, China’s FM Visit Signals a Predictable Partnership in an Uncertain World
The annual visit to 4-5 African countries has become traditional – but each year it’s still accompanied by concrete objectives.
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January 10, 2026 at 8:38 AM
The annual visit to 4-5 African countries by China's foreign minister has become traditional – but each year it’s still accompanied by concrete objectives.
Myanmar’s military junta will hold the second phase of its controversial general election on Sunday. buff.ly/gLYHSYf
Find out more about the sham elections in our video explainer: buff.ly/cIJOkqT
Find out more about the sham elections in our video explainer: buff.ly/cIJOkqT
Myanmar Junta Readies Second Phase of Controversial General Election
One hundred more townships will go to the polls on Sunday in an election that has been roundly condemned as a “sham.”
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January 10, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Myanmar’s military junta will hold the second phase of its controversial general election on Sunday. buff.ly/gLYHSYf
Find out more about the sham elections in our video explainer: buff.ly/cIJOkqT
Find out more about the sham elections in our video explainer: buff.ly/cIJOkqT
Why did the Bondi Beach gunmen visit the Philippines?
A Trip to the Philippines Prior to the Shooting
Investigators are puzzling over the Bondi Beach shooters’ visit to Davao City.
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January 10, 2026 at 6:40 AM
Why did the Bondi Beach gunmen visit the Philippines?
A popular mayor, a former TV star and an ex-chief of Nepal’s electricity board have joined hands to fight the old guard in the upcoming elections.
An Alliance of Political Newcomers Seeks to End Old Parties’ Monopoly in Nepal
A popular mayor, a former TV star and an ex-chief of Nepal’s electricity board have joined hands to fight the old guard in the upcoming elections.
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January 10, 2026 at 5:31 AM
A popular mayor, a former TV star and an ex-chief of Nepal’s electricity board have joined hands to fight the old guard in the upcoming elections.
China’s coercion threshold is set by its own internal logic – not by external “precedents.”
Why Beijing Won’t Be Emboldened by the ‘Venezuela Precedent’
China’s coercion threshold is set by its own internal logic – not by external “precedents.”
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 4:31 AM
China’s coercion threshold is set by its own internal logic – not by external “precedents.”