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The Diplomat is a current-affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific, with news and analysis on politics, security, business, technology and life across the region.
Updated: 4 days 8 hours ago

The Debate Over the Maldives’ Deal with Eagle Hills

Mon, 26/10/2026 - 04:35
Handing over prime land in a land-scarce country, on an island pitched as a lasting solution to an acute housing crisis, warrants deeper scrutiny.

The Strategic Logic Behind Pakistan’s Defense Pacts

Mon, 26/10/2026 - 04:28
Last week, Pakistan signed the Badr Pact with Türkiye, Qatar, and Indonesia, the latest in a string of defense-related agreements with key partners.

Indonesia Seizes More Than 2 Tons of Narcotics in Major Anti-drug Operations

Mon, 26/10/2026 - 01:58
In recent years Indonesian waters have become an important route for the trafficking of Golden Triangle drugs to Asian and global markets.

Why China Can’t Fix Its Broken Economy

Mon, 26/10/2026 - 00:33
China's economy has a huge problem: Chinese people aren’t spending enough money. And this is not just a problem for China.

South Korea’s Ruling Democratic Party Is Tumbling in the Polls

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 20:05
Its in-house gaffes and disputes are largely to blame for the DP's plummeting approval ratings.

Xi Jinping May Have His Own Reasons to Avert a China-Russia-US Summit

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 19:09
A formal trilateral could raise strategic questions that are awkward for the EU, Ukraine – and China itself.

The China-Taiwan Diplomatic War Is More About Politics Than Economics

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 17:46
Taiwan’s formal relationships in Africa and Latin America point to the real factors driving recognition decisions – and it’s not “dollar diplomacy.”

South China Sea Code of Conduct: A Deal Is Not Enough

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 16:59
A COC that lacks credible enforcement mechanisms would do little to address security challenges.

With Strict Agendas and Silent Corridors Kazakhstan’s Kurultai Is Muzzling the Press

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 16:50
Journalists covering the country’s parliament are pushing back against new rules that constrict their ability to question officials.

What States Make of Military Exercises: Ulchi and Beyond

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 16:42
Repeated military cooperation can help build predictability, trust, interoperability, and institutionalized relationships among participants. 

Karakoram 2026: Inside China-Pakistan Joint Military Training in Xinjiang

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 16:17
The deteriorating security environment in the region thus reinforces the importance of China-Pakistan military cooperation.

Korean Dramas: Ukraine, Russia, and Where South Korea Begins

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 16:15
A diplomatic spat and a comment that caused controversy.

Japan Needs Higher Interest Rates

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 15:28
Japanese exporters enjoy high demand and strong profit margins, but importers are under severe pressure. The weak yen also hurts Japanese consumers.

TenPayGo and China’s Digital Opening to Foreigners

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 15:18
Tencent’s new payment app shows how China’s tech companies can lower barriers for foreign users without fundamentally changing the systems behind them.

Xi’s Military Purges Make US Deterrence More Urgent

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 14:41
“If we are serious about the CCP as our foremost long-term strategic challenge, we should end the Iran war and rebuild depleted stockpiles, immediately.”

The Next Chapter of Africa-China Climate Cooperation

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 14:38
China’s climate cooperation with Africa is becoming more investment-led, with a focus on industrialization.

Rubio’s Unusual Visit to India Marks a Paradigm Shift in India-US Ties

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 14:13
The U.S. secretary of state’s itinerary skipped the corridors of power in Delhi for boardrooms and a refinery. 

Rubio’s India Visit Focuses on Energy

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 09:24
He visited Jamnagar, home to the world’s largest oil refinery, which is run by Reliance Industries. The latter plans to build a refinery in Texas.

Why Durga Puja’s Celebration in West Bengal This Year Was Different

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 09:11
The BJP government in the state stripped the festival of its secular-cultural uniqueness to impose religious and ritualistic practices that are anathema to Bengalis.

Indonesia’s Stock Market Crisis Is Self-Inflicted

Fri, 23/10/2026 - 05:19
Jakarta has serious questions to answer about the credibility of its capital markets and the effectiveness of the institutions responsible for regulating them.

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