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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.
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.
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January 13, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Right now, one of the most consequential questions in the world is this: Can China’s military actually fight?
India is facing complex choices in navigating China’s state-led control and the US’ chaotic and fragmented AI governance regulation.
India Could Lead a Third Way in AI Geo-governance
India is facing complex choices in navigating China’s state-led control and the US’ chaotic and fragmented AI governance regulation.
buff.ly
January 13, 2026 at 1:32 AM
India is facing complex choices in navigating China’s state-led control and the US’ chaotic and fragmented AI governance regulation.
On January 11, Myanmar’s junta took the battered country, beset by a grinding civil war, into the second of three phases of a national election almost universally derided as rigged in an unconvincing ploy for legitimacy.
Low Turnout in Second Phase of Myanmar’s ‘Sham’ Election
Meanwhile, opportunist neighbors seek business ties with the junta.
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January 13, 2026 at 12:36 AM
On January 11, Myanmar’s junta took the battered country, beset by a grinding civil war, into the second of three phases of a national election almost universally derided as rigged in an unconvincing ploy for legitimacy.
Tajikistan’s total external debt stood at $3.037 billion as of January 1, 2026. That's half of the country’s GDP – a ratio that places Tajikistan among Central Asia’s most debt-vulnerable economies, alongside Kyrgyzstan.
Tajikistan’s External Debt Grows in Complexity
Growing corporate debt, the never-ending construction of Rogun, and lack of debt management transparency from the government add to the fiscal pressure on the country’s budget.
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January 12, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Tajikistan’s total external debt stood at $3.037 billion as of January 1, 2026. That's half of the country’s GDP – a ratio that places Tajikistan among Central Asia’s most debt-vulnerable economies, alongside Kyrgyzstan.
A recent ruling could pave the way for the Indian government to term any protest or demonstration, even those that are peaceful, as terrorist acts.
Why the Supreme Court’s Expansive Interpretation of India’s Terror Law Is Dangerous
A recent ruling could pave the way for the government to term any protest or demonstration, even those that are peaceful, as terrorist acts.
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January 12, 2026 at 10:39 PM
A recent ruling could pave the way for the Indian government to term any protest or demonstration, even those that are peaceful, as terrorist acts.
If passing legislation to deal with China is a remote prospect, the USCC should focus more on other tools with a higher chance of success.
Empowering the US-China Economic and Security Commission
If passing legislation to deal with China is a remote prospect, the USCC should focus more on other tools with a higher chance of success.
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January 12, 2026 at 9:30 PM
If passing legislation to deal with China is a remote prospect, the USCC should focus more on other tools with a higher chance of success.
Michael Kugelman previews the major events to watch: upcoming elections in Bangladesh and Nepal, the India-Pakistan conflict, and ever-volatile relations with the U.S.
2026: The Outlook for South Asia
Michael Kugelman previews the major events to watch: upcoming elections in Bangladesh and Nepal, the India-Pakistan conflict, and ever-volatile relations with the U.S.
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January 12, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Michael Kugelman previews the major events to watch: upcoming elections in Bangladesh and Nepal, the India-Pakistan conflict, and ever-volatile relations with the U.S.
Pyongyang accused Seoul of sending drones to its territory. Seoul rejected the claim, saying it has no intention to make provocations.
South Korea Denies Accusation of Launching Drones Toward North Korea
Pyongyang accused Seoul of sending drones to its territory. Seoul rejected the claim, saying it has no intention to make provocations.
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January 12, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Pyongyang accused Seoul of sending drones to its territory. Seoul rejected the claim, saying it has no intention to make provocations.
For Takaichi, U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to capture the president of Venezuela and his fiery rhetoric toward Greenland create a particularly difficult conundrum.
Japan’s Delicate Foreign Policy Balancing Act: Let the Good Deeds Speak for Themselves
For Takaichi, U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to capture the president of Venezuela and his fiery rhetoric toward Greenland create a particularly difficult conundrum.
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January 12, 2026 at 6:37 PM
For Takaichi, U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to capture the president of Venezuela and his fiery rhetoric toward Greenland create a particularly difficult conundrum.
China has prohibited dual-use goods, including some rare earth elements, from being exported to 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 12, 2026 at 5:25 PM
China has prohibited dual-use goods, including some rare earth elements, from being exported to Japan.
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 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Manus’ acquisition by Meta will be hard to replicated by other Chinese technology firms seeking pathways into the U.S. market.
PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai party is likely to be the main beneficiary of the polls, which will take place against a backdrop of ongoing border tensions with Cambodia.
Strongman Politics and Thailand’s Upcoming ‘Khaki Election’
PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai party is likely to be the main beneficiary of the polls, which will take place against a backdrop of ongoing border tensions with Cambodia.
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January 12, 2026 at 3:30 PM
PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai party is likely to be the main beneficiary of the polls, which will take place against a backdrop of ongoing border tensions with Cambodia.
Since the 2016 death of the country’s first president, Islam Karimov, his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has strived to present himself as a reformer forging a “New Uzbekistan.”
What’s Really Changed in ‘New Uzbekistan’?
Since the 2016 death of the country’s first president, Islam Karimov, his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has strived to present himself as a reformer forging a “New Uzbekistan.”
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January 12, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Since the 2016 death of the country’s first president, Islam Karimov, his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has strived to present himself as a reformer forging a “New Uzbekistan.”
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.
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 12, 2026 at 1:28 PM
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.
Declassified British Intelligence documents reveal that in the 1960s, the Nepal government decided to offer support to the Naga separatists’ delegation at the U.N.
When Nepal Decided to Support Naga Separatists from India in the UN
Declassified British Intelligence documents reveal that in the 1960s, the Nepal government decided to offer support to the Naga separatists’ delegation at the U.N.
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January 12, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Declassified British Intelligence documents reveal that in the 1960s, the Nepal government decided to offer support to the Naga separatists’ delegation at the U.N.
It has long been routine for China’s foreign minister to make his first overseas visit to between four and five African countries.
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 12, 2026 at 11:29 AM
It has long been routine for China’s foreign minister to make his first overseas visit to between four and five African countries.
The two governments said that there were insufficient safeguards against the Grok chatbot from being used to generate pornographic imagery.
Indonesia, Malaysia Block Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot Over Generation of Sexualized Images
The two governments said that there were insufficient safeguards against the Grok chatbot from being used to generate pornographic imagery.
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January 12, 2026 at 10:36 AM
The two governments said that there were insufficient safeguards against the Grok chatbot from being used to generate pornographic imagery.
The announcement came as Michael DeSombre, the U.S. assistant secretary for East Asia and the Pacific, visited both nations for talks related to the border dispute.
US Pledges $45M Assistance to Support Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire
The announcement came as Michael DeSombre, the U.S. assistant secretary for East Asia and the Pacific, visited both nations for talks related to the border dispute.
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January 12, 2026 at 9:34 AM
The announcement came as Michael DeSombre, the U.S. assistant secretary for East Asia and the Pacific, visited both nations for talks related to the border dispute.
The U.S. operation in Venezuela reflects a strategic logic designed by a group of George W. Bush’s advisers: to expand U.S. control over regions critical 21st century geopolitical competition.
Oil, Venezuela, and China: How Trump’s Caracas Raid Fits With 25 Years of US Grand Strategy
The U.S. operation in Venezuela reflects a strategic logic designed by a group of George W. Bush’s advisers: to expand U.S. control over regions critical 21st century geopolitical competition.
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January 12, 2026 at 8:38 AM
The U.S. operation in Venezuela reflects a strategic logic designed by a group of George W. Bush’s advisers: to expand U.S. control over regions critical 21st century geopolitical competition.
In 2025, Philippine politics was dominated by political feuds and rising public anger at high-level government corruption.
The Philippines in 2026: Can Marcos Restore Public Trust?
In 2025, Philippine politics was dominated by political feuds and rising public anger at high-level government corruption.
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January 12, 2026 at 7:32 AM
In 2025, Philippine politics was dominated by political feuds and rising public anger at high-level government corruption.
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 12, 2026 at 6:40 AM
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.
Hong Kong is stuck in a governance vacuum, where neither democratic nor authoritarian accountability functions effectively.
No, Hong Kong’s Governance Is Not Becoming Like China’s. It’s Actually Worse.
Hong Kong is stuck in a governance vacuum, where neither democratic nor authoritarian accountability functions effectively.
buff.ly
January 12, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Hong Kong is stuck in a governance vacuum, where neither democratic nor authoritarian accountability functions effectively.
A convergence of shifting global trends toward sustainability and digital industries and, more critically, a fundamental restructuring of federal-state relations, have enabled Sarawak’s transformation.
Acting Like a State: Sarawak’s Kingmaker Blueprint for a Green Powerhouse
A convergence of shifting global trends toward sustainability and digital industries and, more critically, a fundamental restructuring of federal-state relations, have enabled Sarawak’s…
buff.ly
January 12, 2026 at 4:31 AM
A convergence of shifting global trends toward sustainability and digital industries and, more critically, a fundamental restructuring of federal-state relations, have enabled Sarawak’s transformation.
The U.S. State Department added 25 more countries to the visa bond program. While the 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 12, 2026 at 3:29 AM
The U.S. State Department added 25 more countries to the visa bond program. While the pilot program largely targets countries in Africa, the latest expansion includes countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific.
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.
buff.ly
January 12, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Ideological rhetoric and security-centric diplomacy have undercut the trust India fostered with its neighbors via previous economic engagement.