Asia & the Pacific
List of Asia & the Pacific articles
Iran Makes a Play in South Asia
President Ebrahim Raisi’s recent trip to the region was an opportunity for Iran to showcase its engagement amid instability in the Middle East.
Without Indonesia’s Nickel, EVs Have No Future in America
The IRA and Senate opposition to a free trade deal with Jakarta are undermining the United States’ green transition.
Turkey’s Democracy Is Down but Not Out
An invigorated opposition is ready for a constitutional fight.
HBO’s ‘The Sympathizer’ Leans Into the Tragic Absurdity of the Vietnam War
The series lampoons the military, academia, and Hollywood portrayals of the era.
Xi’s Imperial Ambitions Are Rooted in China’s History
Myths of peacefulness belie a record as expansionist as any other power.
Xi Jinping Has Tough Economic Choices Ahead
China is likely to pick security over prosperity.
Japan’s Big Bet on Interest Rates May Not Pay Off
A vote of confidence in the future may be undercut by a lukewarm economy.
Israel Is Desperate to Replace Palestinian Farmhands
Newly arrived Indian workers say abuse is common.
Congress Helps Steer Taiwan Toward the ‘Porcupine Strategy’
The national security bill gives Biden more leverage to tell Taiwan what weapons to buy.
What Ghana Can Learn From Taiwan
As vote-buying corrupts the country’s politics, the West African nation could learn from Taipei’s effective crackdown on the practice.
India’s Courts Must Keep Their Autonomy
A recent ruling on campaign finance reflected a judicial independence that will be key to checking Modi’s power if he wins a third term.
Is the U.S. Preparing to Ban Future LNG Sales to China?
The Department of Energy’s “temporary pause” opens the door.
New Zealand Becomes the Latest Country to Pivot to the U.S.
Beijing’s bullying tactics have pushed Wellington into Washington’s welcoming arms.
Modi’s ‘Make in India’ Didn’t Make Jobs
India’s prime minister could win reelection without having fixed his country’s unemployment crisis.
The Terrorist Threat the West Still Ignores
Domestic far-right terrorism has been increasingly internationalized—and requires a coordinated response.
The World’s Biggest Election Is Set to Begin
In India, the question is not whether Modi and his party will win but by how much.
Why Modi Is So Popular
Soon likely to win a third term, India’s prime minister has shaped the country in profound ways.
Court Victory Disturbs Malaysia’s Balancing Act on Islamic Law
A new federal ruling has Islamists up in arms.
North Korea Is Ghosting the Biden Administration
Experts say it’s a question of when, not if, Pyongyang will carry out its seventh nuclear weapons test.
The Chipmaking World Hedges Its Taiwan Bets
Earthquake or not, building semiconductor factories off the island has become a global imperative.
The Question Looming Over Biden’s White House Summit: Where Are the Exit Ramps?
As the leaders of Japan and the Philippines present a united front with America, China is getting stronger, too.
How Pakistan Plays Into India’s Elections
Allegations that the Modi government orchestrated extrajudicial killings on Pakistani soil will give another boost to the ruling party.
U.S. Foreign Aid Is Broken but Fixable
Donald Trump’s threats to cut all spending can spur actual changes.
Everyone Is on Edge for South Korea’s Legislative Elections
Conservatives fear extinction, but the opposition is deeply divided.
It’s Too Soon for Biden and Kishida to Take a Victory Lap
Three uncomfortable questions still hang over the U.S.-Japan alliance.
The India Issue
Illiberal, democratic, and rising: How a middle power is reshaping the world order.
4 Books to Understand Modern India
Is the world’s most populous country booming or broken?
5 Charts That Explain India
From average incomes to internet usage, New Delhi is still at the point where growth could really take off—or not.
Becoming Indian
A novelist considers how his sense of national identity has changed.
Meet India’s Generation Z
The people who will shape the country’s next decades came of age during the Modi era.
Is India Really the Next China?
The case for its economic ascent is strong, but government policies still stand in the way.
The New Idea of India
Narendra Modi’s reign is producing a less liberal but more assured nation.
China Is Gaslighting the Developing World
Beijing’s promises of equality are a guise for hegemony.
It’s Debatable’s Greatest Hits
In their 100th column, Matt and Emma revisit clashes over Taiwan, Ukraine, Iran—and how to deter an alien invasion.
Modi’s Messenger to the World
How the diplomat-turned-politician S. Jaishankar became the chief executor of India’s assertive foreign policy.
U.S.-India Ties Remain Fundamentally Fragile
If New Delhi and Washington leave frictions to fester, they could ultimately derail future cooperation.
Sri Lanka Hones Its Balancing Act
Colombo has demonstrated its own brand of strategic autonomy on issues from Russia’s war in Ukraine to China’s global footprint.
Did Russia Come Close to Using a Nuclear Device in 2022?
CNN reporter Jim Sciutto on the return of great-power conflict.
China-Philippines Tensions Heat Up
Saber-rattling in the South China Sea comes as Manila builds alliances in Washington and beyond.
The Moscow Attack Showed Terrorism Is Asia’s Problem Now
Increased geopolitical rivalry is allowing extremist groups to thrive—and threaten everyone.
New Hope for Pakistan’s Mistreated Workers
Germany’s new Supply Chain Act could help curb some of the world’s worst labor injustices.
Migrants in Russia Are Terrified as Racism Grows After Deadly Attack
Violence and war are shaping Moscow’s brutal response.
‘Everything, Everywhere, All At Once’: U.S. Officials Warn of Increased Cyberthreats
Washington prepares for a worst-case scenario of attacks on critical infrastructure.
Will Vietnam’s Political Turmoil Shake Up Foreign Investment?
The president’s abrupt resignation suggests uncertainty, but it should not sow doubt about Hanoi’s economy or engagement with the world.
Power Is the Answer in U.S. Competition With China
A fight for global values demands a stronger coalition.
TV’s New ‘Game of Thrones’ Is Set in 17th-Century Japan
“Shogun” is an update of a 44-year-old series perfectly suited to today’s tastes.
A Family Feud in the Philippines Has Beijing and Washington on Edge
Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are battling over the country’s future.
Asia Should Take the Lead on Global Health
The region’s health care systems and innovations show how solidarity can shape well-being.
Modi Flexes Muscle as Elections Approach
In India, recent moves that stymie the political opposition will likely fire up the ruling party’s base.
Japan’s Scandal-Ridden Politics Threaten to Claim Another PM
A political party funding crisis could bring down Fumio Kishida.
Al Qaeda Is Back—and Thriving—in Afghanistan
The architects of 9/11 are profiting from gold and gem mines in the Taliban-led country.
Shifting Conflicts Hit Key Energy Routes
From Russia to Yemen, gas and oil exports have become prime targets.
China’s Public Wants to Make a Living, Not War
Discontent about the country’s poor economic reality is starting to drown out nationalist calls to attack Taiwan.
Tensions Escalate on Pakistan-Afghanistan Border
Islamabad ordered cross-border strikes after a militant attack, dialing up pressure.
Why Asia Should Sound the Trump Alarm
The calm in Asian capitals reflects a dangerous misjudgment.
Is TikTok’s Time Finally Up?
The United States may ban one of the world’s most popular apps.
South Korea Can Be a Democratic Leader
As Seoul hosts the Summit for Democracy, it can show that the Korean model is one to emulate.
Malaysia’s Forest City Went From Boomtown to Ghost Town
China’s real estate collapse is sinking projects beyond its borders.
China Is Selectively Bending History to Suit Its Territorial Ambitions
Beijing’s unwillingness to let go of certain claims suggests there’s more at stake than reversing past losses.
Taiwan Can’t Shake Its Nuclear Ghosts
The island’s resistance to a dependable—and desperately needed—source of energy has been shaped by a covert history.
Why India Just Inked a New Free Trade Deal
The agreement with four European states is part of a subtle shift in policy from New Delhi.
The Hidden Dangers in China’s GDP Numbers
Deflation and lack of consumption are big problems for Beijing.
The Civil Servants Who Shaped Indian Diplomacy
A new book provides a detailed account of the colonial bureaucrats who made up the first generation of the Indian Foreign Service.
How China Made Xinjiang’s Ceremonies Illegal
Retroactively applied laws are used to prosecute Muslim community leaders.
India Expands Its Naval Presence With Planned Base
New Delhi aims to project its power with a new facility near the Maldives.
How the Ram Mandir Has Transformed India
To some, Modi’s new temple embodies the revival of a Hindu golden age. To others, it symbolizes the waning of a pluralist nation.
Why Farmers Are Protesting Around the World
From Europe to India, agricultural workers have taken to the streets.
Bangladesh and U.S. Pursue Post-Election Reset
A U.S. delegation to Dhaka reflects a fresh approach to bilateral ties after a criticized Jan. 7 vote.
How Will Prabowo Lead Indonesia?
The election winner sought to bury the past in his presidential campaign. To succeed as leader, he will count on history not repeating itself.
Beijing’s Post-Election Plan for Taiwan
Expect China to double down on political warfare.
How Do-Gooders Are Deflating the Defense Industry
Investing in weapons manufacturers has long been taboo. Now, ESG policies are hurting the bottom line in Ukraine.
Where the Resistance Rules in Myanmar
In the state of Kayah, a patchwork of anti-regime forces has cooperated to seize territory with surprising success.
Why Are Asia’s Democratic Leaders So Popular?
Compared to Western politicians, these leaders are doing something right.
What the Western Media Gets Wrong About Taiwan
Journalists flocking to cover life inside a geopolitical flash point often distort the reality on the ground.
The Taliban Want a Piece of Pakistan
Afghanistan’s government doesn’t recognize a 130-year-old border—and its local affiliates are causing havoc in the Pakistani borderlands.
What’s Happening With Indonesia’s Economy?
This week’s presidential election put the country’s modernization program under a spotlight.
Pakistan Can’t Stop the Cycle of Discontent
The country needs reconciliation. The next government will bring more political conflict.
Modi’s India Is One Step Closer to a Contentious Goal
An Indian state approved a bill that religious minorities say amounts to interference. National implementation could be next.
How Imran Khan’s Party Stunned Pakistan
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party won’t take power, but it capitalized on public discontent to deliver a rebuke to the establishment.
Indonesia’s Election Winner Has a Dark Past and a Cute Image
Prabowo Subianto’s record doesn’t bode well for democracy.
How Pirates Kick-Started India’s Navy Into Action
The Indian Navy has suddenly become the go-to security provider in the Indian Ocean—with big implications for both the U.S. and China.
Manila Wants the Planes to Run on Time for Once
New airport plans are a test of openness to foreign business.
Indonesia Has Grand Ambitions for Its Nickel Industry
As the country heads to the polls this week, the future of Jakarta’s bid is set to come into sharper focus.
Angry Young Pakistanis Give Imran Khan a Future Shot at Power
The jailed politician still stirs national pride.
5 Rules for Superpowers Facing Multiple Conflicts
Ukraine, the Middle East, and Taiwan are part of an unstable frontier—and require a more principled U.S. strategy.
The Bridge Builder
After more than a decade at Apple, Doug Beck is in charge of making sure the Pentagon doesn’t lose a tech race with China.
The Country With Nothing Left to Lose
In its quest for cash, the tiny island nation of Nauru has tried it all. Its latest scheme may be its riskiest bet yet.
How an Afghan Drug Kingpin Became Beijing’s Man in Kabul
Bashir Noorzai was once serving a life sentence in the United States. Now he’s the key conduit for growing ties between China and the Taliban.
Everyone Wants a Chip Factory
How the world is future-proofing (and China-proofing) its semiconductor supply chains.
Pakistan Heads to the Polls Amid Crisis
The military has already shaped the outcome of the vote, which comes as the country’s challenges converge.
Malaysia Is Getting Back to Politics as Usual With Najib’s Pardon
The disgraced prime minister’s sentence has been halved as the government seeks allies.
Does Ukraine Offer Lessons for Taiwan?
Two years in, IR experts are divided on whether the U.S. response to Russia’s war will deter a Chinese invasion.
The Good and the Bad for Biden in Southeast Asia
Three years on, the administration’s policy has bright spots—but still lacks a clear strategy for the region.
The Military Is Still Pulling the Strings in Pakistan’s Elections
With opposition leader Imran Khan behind bars, the Feb. 8 vote offers little hope for near-term stability.
The Two-State Solution Is a Recipe for Carnage
Washington’s favorite prescription for Israeli-Palestinian peace risks unleashing a wave of interethnic violence unseen since the partition of India and Pakistan.
Why Middle Powers Can’t Pursue Grand Strategy
The U.S.-South Korea alliance perfectly illustrates the limits of independent action in an unstable world.
China Is Quietly Expanding Its Land Grabs in the Himalayas
As the world worries about an invasion of Taiwan, Beijing is methodically continuing its seizure of territory in Bhutan.
Tensions Rise on Pakistan’s Borders
Security threats along the frontiers with Iran and Afghanistan loom large ahead of elections next week.
Japan Wants Both Taiwanese Security and Chinese Trade
Politicians celebrate Lai Ching-te’s victory but fear an upset Beijing.
It’s Almost the End for China’s Evergrande
A Hong Kong judge ordered the property giant to liquidate, but courts in mainland China will set the timeline.