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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: 39 min 33 sec ago

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim Suffers Setback in Sabah State Election

Mon, 01/12/2025 - 02:19
The state poll was dominated by Sabah-based parties, reflecting growing disenchantment in the federal government and a growing desire for regional autonomy.

Thai-US Critical Minerals MoU Sparks Backlash Amid Mounting Environmental Costs

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 16:31
As the evidence piles up, scientists are urging Southeast Asia’s governments to wake up to the rare earth pollution crisis.

Taiwan Wants to Join AUKUS. That’s Impossible – and Irrelevant.

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 16:01
Taiwan doesn’t need AUKUS membership to strengthen Pillar II’s force multiplier effect.

Activists at the Forefront Against New Kazakh Law Targeting LGBTQ+ Rights

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 15:29
Activists opposed to a new law banning the spread of “LGBT propaganda” might already be subject to it.

How Best to Defend Australia’s Democracy in the Digital Age?

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 13:55
A recent survey highlighted that less than a third of the Australian population believe that “people in government can be trusted.”

Trump–Xi and Strategic Recalibration

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 09:01
The phone call and implications for the Indo-Pacific

Belarusian President Lukashenko Begins First Official Visit to Myanmar

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 04:58
As they have grown more alienated from the West, relations between the two repressive governments have blossomed.

Assam’s BJP-led Government Releases Nellie Massacre Reports Ahead of Elections

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 04:51
The two reports relate to the Nellie massacre of 1983, when mobs attacked villages inhabited by Bengali-origin Muslims, killing over 1,800 people.

How External Partners Should Engage in the South China Sea

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 01:21
Instead of challenging China’s maritime claims unilaterally, outside powers would do better to collaborate more closely with Southeast Asian claimant states.

Authorities Struggle to Respond to Devastating Floods in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia

Fri, 28/11/2025 - 00:56
The deluges and flash floods of the past week have capped off an unusually destructive wet season in Southeast Asia.

The Oddities of Vietnam’s Property Market, Explained

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 22:36
Have the country's real estate prices become untethered from the basic economic forces of supply and demand?

Silent Streets and Shifting Norms: Japan’s Weakening Pacifist Movement

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 19:46
Takaichi’s forward-leaning stance on Taiwan reflects the Japanese public’s decreased opposition to such rhetoric. 

India Revives Old Partnership, Forges New One at G20 Summit

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 16:47
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.

How Southeast Asia Became the Scam Capital of the World

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 16:34
How did the online scam industry take root in Southeast Asia, and how did it grow to such massive proportions?

How Israel’s Embassy Lost China

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 16:28
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. 

Balochistan Enacts New Law to Criminalize Child Marriage

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 05:07
The legislation sets 18 as the legal age for marriage for both males and females, but effective implementation will require significant reforms.

Singapore Orders Tech Firms to Prevent Spoofing of Government Agencies

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 04:06
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.

Why Vietnam Is Elevating Foreign Affairs to a ‘Core, Frequent’ Mission

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 01:43
The Communist Party's upcoming 14th National Congress is set to mark an important change in the country's approach to foreign policy.

Myanmar Junta Amnesties More Than 3,000 Political Prisoners in Advance of Election

Thu, 27/11/2025 - 01:33
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.

Bigger and Better: How China’s Fleet is Getting More Dangerous

Wed, 26/11/2025 - 18:41
The shrinking gap between China’s quantitative shipbuilding advantages and the quality of its fleet is a wake-up call for the United States.

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