The Diplomat
@thediplomat.com
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.
“If there is a major war between the US and China over Taiwan or in the South China Sea, nuclear powered submarines are going to be the only real significant platform," Dr Euan Graham told The Diplomat.
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Australia’s Quest to Get Nuclear Submarines: AUKUS Turns 5
On September 15, 2021, Australia abandoned a $90-billion program to build French-designed conventional diesel-electric submarines. Instead, Australia would embark on a new trilateral security…
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September 17, 2026 at 12:28 PM
“If there is a major war between the US and China over Taiwan or in the South China Sea, nuclear powered submarines are going to be the only real significant platform," Dr Euan Graham told The Diplomat.
buff.ly/uYrVdqD
buff.ly/uYrVdqD
Without sustained dialogue over Taiwan, Beijing and Washington are both vulnerable to dangerous misreadings of each other’s intentions. buff.ly/EAGTLvz
The Perils of Mind-Reading in the Taiwan Strait
Without sustained dialogue over Taiwan, Beijing and Washington are both vulnerable to dangerous misreadings of each other’s intentions.
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September 17, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Without sustained dialogue over Taiwan, Beijing and Washington are both vulnerable to dangerous misreadings of each other’s intentions. buff.ly/EAGTLvz
The problem wasn’t China or a lack of data; it was Nepal’s lack of follow-through.
Who Is to Blame for the Massive Death Toll in the Nepal Floods?
The problem wasn’t China or a lack of data; it was Nepal’s lack of follow-through.
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September 17, 2026 at 10:29 AM
The problem wasn’t China or a lack of data; it was Nepal’s lack of follow-through.
The country would be the fifth member of ASEAN to roll out of the red carpet for Min Aung Hlaing since his inauguration as president in April.
Malaysian PM Offers to Host Myanmar’s President in Refugee Repatriation Push
The country would be the fifth member of ASEAN to roll out of the red carpet for Min Aung Hlaing since his inauguration as president in April.
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September 17, 2026 at 9:36 AM
The country would be the fifth member of ASEAN to roll out of the red carpet for Min Aung Hlaing since his inauguration as president in April.
The Mexican government is deepening ties with Beijing in some of the sectors most sensitive to U.S. security concerns.
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China and Mexico: How Far Should Technology Cooperation Go?
The Mexican government is deepening ties with Beijing in some of the sectors most sensitive to U.S. security concerns.
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September 17, 2026 at 8:34 AM
The Mexican government is deepening ties with Beijing in some of the sectors most sensitive to U.S. security concerns.
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It has been a year since Nepal’s 2025 Gen Z uprising. What has actually changed in Nepali politics? buff.ly/4cy0w3R
A Year After Nepal’s Gen Z Uprising, Balendra Shah Confronts the Limits of Revolt
Its leaders successfully dismantled an old political order but had little knowledge of how to develop the institutions or governing consensus needed to replace it.
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September 17, 2026 at 7:38 AM
It has been a year since Nepal’s 2025 Gen Z uprising. What has actually changed in Nepali politics? buff.ly/4cy0w3R
This is the first time since the May 2025 military clashes that tension between the two sides has erupted into the open.
Indian, Pakistani Naval Vessels Collide in Arabian Sea, Prompting Diplomatic Tensions
This is the first time since the May 2025 military clashes that tension between the two sides has erupted into the open.
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September 17, 2026 at 6:32 AM
This is the first time since the May 2025 military clashes that tension between the two sides has erupted into the open.
Okinawa has a new governor - one supported by the ruling LDP. Will the controversy over U.S. bases finally be resolved? buff.ly/2xvlLvs
Okinawa Voted for a New Governor
Koja Genta didn’t win because of his stance on U.S. bases. He won because of his vision for the economy.
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September 17, 2026 at 5:40 AM
Okinawa has a new governor - one supported by the ruling LDP. Will the controversy over U.S. bases finally be resolved? buff.ly/2xvlLvs
However determined Western governments may be to turn Russia and Iran into pariah states, much of the Global South rejects their isolation.
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The New Delhi BRICS Summit Sends Powerful Messages to America
However determined Western governments may be to turn Russia and Iran into pariah states, much of the Global South rejects their isolation.
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September 17, 2026 at 4:31 AM
However determined Western governments may be to turn Russia and Iran into pariah states, much of the Global South rejects their isolation.
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5 years after AUKUS was announced, Australia is still years away from getting its first nuclear-powered submarine. buff.ly/O2SGu3T
5 Years Later, Where Does AUKUS Stand?
Over the last five years, as AUKUS has taken shape, the dynamics behind regional security have continued to evolve.
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September 17, 2026 at 3:31 AM
5 years after AUKUS was announced, Australia is still years away from getting its first nuclear-powered submarine. buff.ly/O2SGu3T
In the first Central Asia-South Korea leaders summit, energy and critical minerals were top of the agenda.
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South Korea Embraces the Silk Road Spirit With Central Asian Leaders
In the first Central Asia-South Korea leaders summit, energy and critical minerals were top of the agenda.
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September 17, 2026 at 2:29 AM
In the first Central Asia-South Korea leaders summit, energy and critical minerals were top of the agenda.
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For New Delhi, BRICS is not a camp or a bloc, but a forum – one of several – that it uses to secure a seat at one of the tables defining the unfolding multipolar order. buff.ly/cXsYUNP
BRICS 2026: A Forum, Not a Front
Xi and Putin in Delhi made the headlines. The declaration tells the real story of India’s multi-alignment and why Europe should welcome it.
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September 17, 2026 at 1:35 AM
For New Delhi, BRICS is not a camp or a bloc, but a forum – one of several – that it uses to secure a seat at one of the tables defining the unfolding multipolar order. buff.ly/cXsYUNP
When it comes to Chinese overseas port projects, negative economic externalities may coexist with positive ones.
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The Challenges of Finding Political Treasure in Chinese Overseas Ports
When it comes to Chinese overseas port projects, negative economic externalities may coexist with positive ones.
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September 17, 2026 at 12:32 AM
When it comes to Chinese overseas port projects, negative economic externalities may coexist with positive ones.
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Human rights organizations are speaking out after five Kazakh activists were convicted for an alleged plan to seize the presidential residence in Astana.
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Kazakhstan Again Sentences Activists for Supposed Attempt to Seize Power
Human rights organizations are speaking out after five Kazakh activists were convicted for an alleged plan to seize the presidential residence in Astana.
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September 16, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Human rights organizations are speaking out after five Kazakh activists were convicted for an alleged plan to seize the presidential residence in Astana.
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A controversial sect sparked a debate over what defines Hinduism. buff.ly/gDNEtJ7
What Is Hinduism?
Hinduism may not be as well-defined and creedal as Christianity or Islam, but it is not a meaningless label either. It refers to a real idea.
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September 16, 2026 at 10:30 PM
A controversial sect sparked a debate over what defines Hinduism. buff.ly/gDNEtJ7
Beyond the Indus: Siddhant Kishore joins host Tushar Shetty to examine the BRICS summit in New Delhi and the strategic realignment underway across Asia. buff.ly/f5vW6Dd
Siddhant Kishore on BRICS and the New Geopolitics of Asia
Siddhant Kishore joins host Tushar Shetty to examine the BRICS summit in New Delhi and the strategic realignment underway across Asia.
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September 16, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Beyond the Indus: Siddhant Kishore joins host Tushar Shetty to examine the BRICS summit in New Delhi and the strategic realignment underway across Asia. buff.ly/f5vW6Dd
Beijing has opened its enormous market to African exports. Whether that helps the continent move up global value chains is another question. buff.ly/OS4HuAJ
China’s Free-Trade Offer to Africa Won’t Solve the Trade Imbalance
Beijing has opened its enormous market to African exports. Whether that helps the continent move up global value chains is another question.
thediplomat.com
September 16, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Beijing has opened its enormous market to African exports. Whether that helps the continent move up global value chains is another question. buff.ly/OS4HuAJ
In the context of ongoing transformations to the economy, society, and military, China’s current strategy is particularly alarming, and potentially transformational. buff.ly/3MhGhYQ
AI, Robotics and the Coming Economic, Military, and Political Revolutions
In the context of ongoing transformations to the economy, society, and military, China’s current strategy is particularly alarming, and potentially transformational.
thediplomat.com
September 16, 2026 at 7:35 PM
In the context of ongoing transformations to the economy, society, and military, China’s current strategy is particularly alarming, and potentially transformational. buff.ly/3MhGhYQ
Southeast Asia might end up hosting substantial computing capacity without developing a correspondingly deep AI economy. buff.ly/XKAz5Nz
Will Southeast Asia Actually Benefit From Its AI Boom?
Southeast Asia might end up hosting substantial computing capacity without developing a correspondingly deep AI economy.
thediplomat.com
September 16, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Southeast Asia might end up hosting substantial computing capacity without developing a correspondingly deep AI economy. buff.ly/XKAz5Nz
Taiwan’s Han Kuang exercises are winning public approval, despite the growing impact on civilians. Understanding is another matter. buff.ly/5PC1xJ5
What Do Taiwan’s People Think About Its Annual Military Exercises?
Taiwan’s Han Kuang exercises are winning public approval, despite the growing impact on civilians. Understanding is another matter.
thediplomat.com
September 16, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Taiwan’s Han Kuang exercises are winning public approval, despite the growing impact on civilians. Understanding is another matter. buff.ly/5PC1xJ5
The leaders of Nepal's Gen Z uprising successfully dismantled an old political order but had little knowledge of how to develop the institutions or governing consensus needed to replace it. buff.ly/8VJICUI
A Year After Nepal’s Gen Z Uprising, Balendra Shah Confronts the Limits of Revolt
Its leaders successfully dismantled an old political order but had little knowledge of how to develop the institutions or governing consensus needed to replace it.
thediplomat.com
September 16, 2026 at 4:25 PM
The leaders of Nepal's Gen Z uprising successfully dismantled an old political order but had little knowledge of how to develop the institutions or governing consensus needed to replace it. buff.ly/8VJICUI
In early September, Kyrgyzstan hosted both the World Nomad Games and the SCO summit in a carefully choreographed spectacle of national power and pride. buff.ly/CYvq6Th
From Nomad Festival to National Showcase: Kyrgyzstan Takes Center Stage
In early September, Kyrgyzstan hosted both the World Nomad Games and the SCO summit in a carefully choreographed spectacle of national power and pride.
thediplomat.com
September 16, 2026 at 3:33 PM
In early September, Kyrgyzstan hosted both the World Nomad Games and the SCO summit in a carefully choreographed spectacle of national power and pride. buff.ly/CYvq6Th
“If there is a major war between the US and China over Taiwan or in the South China Sea, nuclear powered submarines are going to be the only real significant platform," Dr. Euan Graham told The Diplomat. buff.ly/uYrVdqD
Australia’s Quest to Get Nuclear Submarines: AUKUS Turns 5
On September 15, 2021, Australia abandoned a $90-billion program to build French-designed conventional diesel-electric submarines. Instead, Australia would embark on a new trilateral security…
www.youtube.com
September 16, 2026 at 2:30 PM
“If there is a major war between the US and China over Taiwan or in the South China Sea, nuclear powered submarines are going to be the only real significant platform," Dr. Euan Graham told The Diplomat. buff.ly/uYrVdqD
Cambodia and Thailand began compulsory conciliation proceedings in Singapore aimed at resolving a long-running maritime dispute.
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Cambodia, Thailand Begin Compulsory Conciliation in Maritime Boundary Dispute
The process, convened under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, follows Thailand’s revocation of a 2001 MoU governing bilateral maritime talks.
thediplomat.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Cambodia and Thailand began compulsory conciliation proceedings in Singapore aimed at resolving a long-running maritime dispute.
buff.ly/WALQt7D
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Twenty years from now we will probably talk about the Mecca defense pact just as much Cold Warriors thought about CENTO a generation after it was formed: not much. buff.ly/AYWNWSN
The Mecca Pact: A New Treaty Organization, Just Like the Old One
MJDA is much like the Cold War’s CENTO and is likely to be just as impactful.
thediplomat.com
September 16, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Twenty years from now we will probably talk about the Mecca defense pact just as much Cold Warriors thought about CENTO a generation after it was formed: not much. buff.ly/AYWNWSN