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Asia Unbound

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

Latest Post

Indonesia's front-runner presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto gestures as he delivers his speech after the country's election commission announced last month's presidential election result, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 20, 2024.
Indonesia's front-runner presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto gestures as he delivers his speech after the country's election commission announced last month's presidential election result, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 20, 2024. Willy Kurniawan/Reuters

Five Things to Expect from a Prabowo Presidency

Prabowo Subianto was named the winner of the Indonesian presidential election. But it is unclear which version of Prabowo—the more moderate candidate from the campaign trail or the self-styled strongman—will govern Indonesia. Read More

China
Totalism and State-Society Relations in China
The distinction between totalitarianism and totalism offers valuable insights for China studies and the making of U.S. China policy.
South Korea
China-Korea Relations: A Subdued Environment and Missed Opportunities
Developments in China-South Korea and China-North Korea relations between September and December of 2023 indicate a reconfiguration of political and economic relationships resulting from deepening geostrategic rivalry. 
Pakistan
Pakistan’s Lukewarm February Election—Just Another Sign of South and Southeast Asia’s Democratic Failure
Ruling elites in South and Southeast Asia have stacked the electoral deck in their favor, hindering the chances of opposition parties.
  • Taiwan
    China Responds to Taiwan’s Presidential Election: Is Beijing Biding Its Time?
    China’s initial response to William Lai’s victory in Taiwan’s presidential election was relatively restrained but it will likely exert more pressure on Taiwan in the coming months. 
  • Taiwan
    Taiwan's Presidential Election Elicits Strong Response in Indo-Pacific
    The United States and its regional partners congratulated DPP candidate Lai Ching-Te on his electoral win, while close allies of China adhered to its stance on Taiwan.
  • China
    How One Port’s Struggle Reveals the Problems—and Promise—of Chinese Infrastructure Financing
    Chinese port financing has plenty of drawbacks. But developing countries have few alternatives. 
  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.