Topic
Diplomacy

Trump 2.0 and the Taliban’s Afghanistan
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Afghanistan, now under the Taliban, is no longer a conflict begging to be solved with a deal. It needs a more nuanced approach than the Trump administration may be capable of.

Bridging Divides: Malaysia’s Middle Power Diplomacy in ASEAN’s Future
By Khoo Ying Hooi
In a world increasingly defined by great power rivalries, Malaysia’s position as a middle power within ASEAN has never been more critical.

Taliban-US Prisoner Swap Could Lead to More Engagement Between Washington and Kabul
By Muhammad Murad
The Taliban have high hopes for engaging with the Trump administration, which has its own wishlist from Afghanistan's de facto government.

What’s Next for India-Indonesia Ties?
By Rishi Gupta
Indonesian President Prabowo was the chief guest at India’s 75th Republic Day – a testament to growing strategic ties.

Trump 2.0 and Central Asia: Optimism After Rubio’s Comments
By Wilder Alejandro Sánchez
During his nomination hearing last week, now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio endorsed the annulment of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, although its removal is ultimately a Congressional task.

Japan and China Vie for Influence in Sri Lanka Via Soft Power Strategies
By Rathindra Kuruwita
As China refines its strategy on the Indian Ocean island, it is posing a significant challenge to Japan’s long-held influence in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s Multi-Pronged Afghan Strategy
By Abdul Basit
While security concerns are important, the strategy is not security-centric but pays equal attention to diplomatic, political and economic engagement.

China’s Stadium Diplomacy in Africa, Pt. 1: The Talanta Sports Stadium in Kenya
By Istvan Tarrosy and Zoltan Voros
As a Chinese company works to complete Kenya's first international sports complex since 1987, basic details from the cost to the companies involved remain unclear.

What BRICS Membership Means For Indonesia’s Foreign Policy
By Agastya Wardhana and Radityo Dharmaputra
President Prabowo Subianto's about-turn on membership of the economic grouping is about status rather than material gains.

Trump’s Russia Gambit Puts Central Asia on Notice
By Catherine Putz
Given Trump’s past approaches, it’s entirely possible that the new U.S. president will demand that Central Asia’s governments “do more” with respect to Russia.

Why India’s Fence Along its Bangladesh Border Riles Dhaka
By Sudha Ramachandran
Advisers in the interim government argue that four agreements signed by the Hasina government with India are unequal.

Amid KMT-DPP Clash at Home, Taiwan’s Speaker Han Kuo-yu Attends Trump Inauguration
By Brian Hioe
Han Kuo-yu led a bipartisan delegation to Washington in a rare moment of cooperation amid severe political contention between the two main parties.