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Asia Unbound

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

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Worker walks past cranes at Yushen Yuheng power plant, a coal-fired power plant under construction, in Yulin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
Worker walks past cranes at Yushen Yuheng power plant, a coal-fired power plant under construction, in Yulin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. Ella Cao/Reuters

China’s Battle Against Air Pollution: An Update

Although China seems to have continued improving air quality during the Covid era, it is premature to celebrate the end of its war against pollution. Read More

Myanmar
The Bottom is Falling out for Myanmar’s Junta
The Myanmar army is experiencing a rapid rise in defections and military losses, posing questions about the continued viability of the junta’s grip on power.
Japan
Prime Minister Kishida’s Tour de Force
The highlights from Kishida Fumio's busy week in Washington.
United States
The U.S.-Japan-Philippines Trilateral Was a Success, but Other Southeast Asian States Are Unlikely to Follow
The success of the U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit underscored the Joe Biden administration’s dedication to building partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, but Southeast Asian nations are less interested.
  • Myanmar
    Myanmar’s Military is Facing Defeat Amid Civil War
    Myanmar’s military faced a significant loss in the town of Myawaddy, bordering Thailand, this week.
  • Vietnam
    Vietnamese Politics Tries to Pretend its Placid—But It’s Not
    The Vietnamese government tries to project an air of stability and competency, but recent corruption scandals and a looming succession crisis have tarnished the leadership’s image.
  • Supply Chains
    U.S.-South Korea Policy Coordination on Supply Chain Resiliency
    On November 28, 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 supply chain resiliency. 
  • China
    Is a TikTok Ban Coming?
    American lawmakers look increasingly willing to ban the popular app TikTok due to its parent company’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
  • Indonesia
    Four More Things to Expect From a Prabowo Presidency
    An anticipated Prabowo presidency poses many questions about Indonesia’s democratic future and global role.
  • Supply Chains
    Coordinating U.S.-South Korean Approaches Toward Supply Chain Resiliency
    The fifth 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 policy coordination on supply chain resiliency. 
  • Indonesia
    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.