Blogs

Asia Unbound

CFR fellows and other experts assess the latest issues emerging in Asia today.

Latest Post

Subscribe to Blog Updates
Top Row: Hayashi Yoshimasa, Motegi Toshimitsu, Koizumi Shinjiro Bottom Row: Takaichi Sanae, Kato Katsunobu, Kamikawa Yoko
Top Row: Hayashi Yoshimasa, Motegi Toshimitsu, Koizumi Shinjiro Bottom Row: Takaichi Sanae, Kato Katsunobu, Kamikawa Yoko Reuters
Subscribe to Blog Updates

The LDP Leadership Race: Six More Join, a Field of Nine

by Sheila A. Smith September 12, 2024

September has brought six more candidates to the race, creating the largest field of candidates in the party’s history. Read More

Indonesia
Indonesia’s Presidential Election: The Old Guard Faces the New
As President Joko Widodo’s presidential tenure comes to an end, Indonesia’s democratic future is at an inflection point. 
Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick January 12, 2024 Asia Unbound
Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Sham Election and the Regression of Democracy in South and Southeast Asia
Bangladesh’s unfree election is part of a larger trend of democratic regression in South and Southeast Asia.
Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick January 10, 2024 Asia Unbound
Cambodia
Six Months of Hun Manet in Cambodia: Change or More of the Same?
After six months in office, Hun Manet has demonstrated an understanding of Cambodia’s economic challenges but has continued the political repression of his father’s rule.
Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick January 9, 2024 Asia Unbound
  • China
    China’s Public Image Actually Getting Worse
    Recent polling by the Pew Research Center demonstrates China’s global image has not recovered from recent setbacks.
    Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick January 9, 2024 Asia Unbound
  • Taiwan
    U.S.-South Korea Policy Coordination on Maritime Security
    On November 14, 2023, the Council on Foreign Relations’ program on U.S.-Korea Policy held an in-person workshop on U.S.-South Korea policy coordination toward China on maritime security.
    Blog Post by Jennifer Ahn January 8, 2024 Asia Unbound
  • Taiwan
    Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential Election: Analyzing Ko Wen-je’s Foreign Policy Positions
    Ko Wen-je claims that he can chart a third way, simultaneously boosting Taiwan’s defenses while restarting communication with China. It is unclear, however, whether China would accept his overtures.
    Blog Post by David Sacks January 4, 2024 Asia Unbound
  • Taiwan
    U.S.-South Korea Coordination Toward China: Maritime Security
    The fourth workshop for the project on Bolstering U.S.-South Korean Cooperation to Meet the China Challenge examined how the United States and South Korea should strengthen maritime security cooperation.
    Blog Post by Seong-Hyon Lee January 4, 2024 Asia Unbound
  • Southeast Asia
    The Specter of Transnational Repression
    A recent report by Freedom House demonstrates the widespread normalization of transnational repression.
    Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick and Abigail McGowan December 27, 2023 Asia Unbound
  • Taiwan
    Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential Election: Analyzing Hou Yu-ih’s Foreign Policy Positions
    Hou Yu-ih has vowed to invest in Taiwan’s defenses while pursing dialogue with China. It is unclear whether Beijing would condition the latter on Hou not pursuing the former.
    Blog Post by David Sacks December 26, 2023 Asia Unbound
  • China
    China: Year in Review 2023
    A review of the most significant events in China in 2023, and a look ahead to the most pressing challenges and uncertainties the country will face in 2024.
    Blog Post by Yanzhong Huang December 20, 2023 Asia Unbound