[{"_1":2,"_302":-5,"_303":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_300":301},"root",{"_5":6,"_14":15},"fb",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":8},"apiKey","AIzaSyAdxqOaB63feHHqSm_nZCKsSHpSAcxkct8","authDomain","thediplomat.firebaseapp.com","projectId","firebase-thediplomat","appId","ga",true,"routes/$issue",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"slug","2015-02","path","/2015-02","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-Jkq0VoTfmAbWxPStYM9","title","Afghanistan: Destination Uncertain","description","In this issue, we consider the future of Afghanistan following the end of the ISAF mission, look at innovation in China’s defense industry, discuss the stunning Sri Lanka election result, and ask if Australia’s dream economic run is coming to an end. And of course, we offer reporting, analysis and commentary from around the region.","masthead","","number",3,"date","February 2015","month",2,"year",2015,"status","rdy","toc",[44,62,82,92,117,141,166,191,216,237,262,283],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"CVRS","priority",0,"Cover Story","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":47,"_18":61,"_40":41,"_26":27},"-K-0wgFzDYUPc-eLwuDt","image","03_CVRS_1","lead","

The transition is complete, but Afghanistan’s future looks uncertain
to say the least.

","model","story","preview",1,"afghanistan-destination-uncertain",{"_24":63,"_46":60,"_26":64,"_49":65},"LDS","Leads",[66,72,76],{"_24":67,"_53":68,"_55":69,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":47,"_18":70,"_40":41,"_26":71},"-K-0wgG0sBXjtgfCLOC6","03_LDS_1","

Industrial espionage may help China’s military-industrial complex, but it will still need to harness its private sector.

","chinas-defense-innovation","China’s Defense Innovation",{"_24":73,"_55":74,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":75},"-K-0wgG1y_XW2wn6mgz6","

An increasingly authoritarian president is ousted, but the road ahead is uncertain.

","Sri Lanka’s Historic Election",{"_24":77,"_53":78,"_55":79,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":37,"_18":80,"_40":41,"_26":81},"-K-0wgG4KP-57By65sq1","03_LDS_3","

The commodities giant has an impressive run, but the good times might be coming to an end.

","a-recession-for-australia","A Recession for Australia?",{"_24":83,"_46":37,"_26":84,"_49":85},"INT","Interview",[86],{"_24":87,"_53":88,"_55":89,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":47,"_18":90,"_40":41,"_26":91},"-K-0wgG6mUy3LssOnz_j","03_INT_1","

The Diplomat talks with Mike Green and Zack Cooper about the security aspects of the U.S. Asia rebalance strategy.

","mike-green-and-zack-cooper-on-the-asia-rebalance","Mike Green & Zack Cooper on the Asia Rebalance",{"_24":93,"_46":33,"_26":94,"_49":95},"CHN","China",[96,100,104,108,112],{"_24":97,"_55":98,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":99},"-K-0wgGArtdQh-rEtMAQ","

Chinese plans to build a maritime version of the Silk Road still have a number of regional skeptics.

","Understanding China’s Maritime Silk Road",{"_24":101,"_55":102,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":103},"-K-0wgGCnuPQT1TxfWYQ","

A key phase of the Chinese Communist Party’s anti-corruption campaign has concluded.

","A Turning Point in China’s Anti-Graft Campaign",{"_24":105,"_55":106,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":107},"-K-0wgGDkbaH5_FcsZNS","

Hong Kong’s government pushes ahead with Beijing’s election plans while pursuing legal action against protesters.

","Post ‘Occupy,’ Hong Kong Government Consolidates Control",{"_24":109,"_55":110,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":33,"_40":41,"_26":111},"-K-0wgGFMQEg6ekkhtls","

Smaller developers are beginning to show signs of strain in China’s property market.

","Rumblings in China’s Real Estate Market",{"_24":113,"_55":114,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":115,"_40":41,"_26":116},"-K-0wgGHUbypblTXO4Hb","

Shocking stories about the behavior of Chinese travelers should be placed in context.

",4,"From ‘Ugly American’ to ‘Ugly Chinese’?",{"_24":118,"_46":115,"_26":119,"_49":120},"NEA","Northeast Asia",[121,125,129,133,137],{"_24":122,"_55":123,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":124},"-K-0wgGI9jorDyGtlKb9","

The recent surge in popularity of Ahn Jung-geun is a significant indicator of anti-Japanese feeling in South Korea.

","South Korea: Cultural Expressions of Anti-Japanese Sentiment",{"_24":126,"_55":127,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":128},"-K-0wgGLKHPaD0i8X5WZ","

Abe reaches into the fiscal toolbox once again.

","Japan’s Very Big Budget",{"_24":130,"_55":131,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":132},"-K-0wgGMY1ohjipm-ei-","

After the Charlie Hebdo attack in France, South Korea has decisions to make regarding free speech and national security.

","In South Korea, Freedom of Expression Put to the Test",{"_24":134,"_55":135,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":33,"_40":41,"_26":136},"-K-0wgGOQboMkHvA_fQT","

South Korea has a rapidly growing e-book market, but still lags behind other major economies.

","Can South Korea Jump-start Its E-Book Industry?",{"_24":138,"_55":139,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":115,"_40":41,"_26":140},"-K-0wgGQqloDm3365dQP","

Just how bad is Taiwan’s spy problem?

","The Spies Are Coming! The Spies Are Coming to Taiwan!",{"_24":142,"_46":143,"_26":144,"_49":145},"SOA",5,"South Asia",[146,150,154,158,162],{"_24":147,"_55":148,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":149},"-K-0wgGSXVvq-1EWc9ZF","

There is no need for nationalists to make wild claims about India’s history; it’s vibrant enough on its own.

","India’s Great History Debate",{"_24":151,"_55":152,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":153},"-K-0wgGVd3RG0IQqqocU","

New Delhi will be keen to see if the new president lives up to his campaign rhetoric.

","Sri Lankan Realignment: Is China’s Loss, India’s Gain?",{"_24":155,"_55":156,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":157},"-K-0wgGWqNa93HLegDRy","

The Bhutanese prime minister pays an important visit to India in January.

","Bhutan and India Reinforce Ties",{"_24":159,"_55":160,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":33,"_40":41,"_26":161},"-K-0wgGXxWwsOnhsq9tt","

A recent proposal for the Indian Ocean leaves much to be desired.

","The Indian Ocean Zone of Peace: Reality vs. Illusion",{"_24":163,"_55":164,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":115,"_40":41,"_26":165},"-K-0wgGZUy4WCSnDEEhy","

Signs of forward movement on a critical gas pipeline could be derailed by border attacks.

","Border Violence and the Iran-Pakistan Gas Project",{"_24":167,"_46":168,"_26":169,"_49":170},"SEA",6,"Southeast Asia",[171,175,179,183,187],{"_24":172,"_55":173,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":174},"-K-0wgG_8I2CdjFmX83m","

The only certainty about this year’s planned election is the overwhelming uncertainty.

","Looking Ahead to Myanmar’s 2015 General Election",{"_24":176,"_55":177,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":178},"-K-0wgGcEawGc8wu9H31","

Eight years after a pregnant Mongolian model was brutally killed, the implications continue to grow.

","The Malaysian Murder That Just Won’t Go Away",{"_24":180,"_55":181,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":182},"-K-0wgGdKwSCvOmJhjkK","

Will Vietnam be able to leverage its ties with TPP countries to strengthen its position vis-à-vis China?

","What Awaits Vietnam in 2015?",{"_24":184,"_55":185,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":33,"_40":41,"_26":186},"-K-0wgGe4jns2N4ombUM","

Jakarta has outlined its foreign policy priorities. Actually achieving them could be a challenge.

","The Trouble With Indonesia’s Foreign Policy Priorities",{"_24":188,"_55":189,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":115,"_40":41,"_26":190},"-K-0wgGg_NQrTHeMgpsP","

Mekong consultants have exposed serious flaws in the Don Sahong Dam project, which continues regardless.

","The Growing Mekong Controversy",{"_24":192,"_46":193,"_26":194,"_49":195},"CEA",7,"Central Asia",[196,200,204,208,212],{"_24":197,"_55":198,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":199},"-K-0wgGiGHBtOCs4axju","

As its economy weakens, Russia’s huge Central Asian migrant population may start to go home.

","Russia’s Impending Migrant Worker Exodus",{"_24":201,"_55":202,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":203},"-K-0wgGkLZ53QHrfolKk","

The new bloc could allow more than just the free flow of goods, capital and labor.

","Could the Russian Mob Take Advantage of the Eurasian Economic Union?",{"_24":205,"_55":206,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":207},"-K-0wgGlnEPtSqoupIZS","

With Russia cancelling the South Stream gas pipeline to Europe, Turkmenistan could benefit.

","European Energy Security and Turkmenistan",{"_24":209,"_55":210,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":33,"_40":41,"_26":211},"-K-0wgGnpVa04xe-LuAz","

A failed meeting in Astana highlights the limits of Nazarbayev’s efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine together.

","Kazakhstan’s Broken Brokerage",{"_24":213,"_55":214,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":115,"_40":41,"_26":215},"-K-0wgGoAD-QrD402k3Z","

Any crisis in Russia has potential political repercussions throughout Central Asia.

","Should Central Asia Be Worried About Russia’s Fallout?",{"_24":217,"_46":218,"_26":219,"_49":220},"OCE",8,"Oceania",[221,225,229,233],{"_24":222,"_55":223,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":224},"-K-0wgGqclnUl9aQ5UCg","

Why deep-sea mining will change regional geopolitics and the Pacific.

","The Next Gold Rush: Deep-Sea Mining in the Pacific",{"_24":226,"_55":227,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":228},"-K-0wgGrGXbaPsk5A0R_","

Forecasts that have Papua New Guinea’s economy surging this year seem to be missing a few problems.

","PNG Rising? Papua New Guinea’s Predicted Boom",{"_24":230,"_55":231,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":232},"-K-0wgGu4rmGg6-4J_Wx","

Another round of cuts suggest Canberra is failing to see the long-term benefits of foreign aid.

","Canberra’s Shortsighted View of Foreign Aid",{"_24":234,"_55":235,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":33,"_40":41,"_26":236},"-K-0wgGvqLMgXkFEMiiI","

In Baghdad, Tony Abbott continued to show strong support for U.S.-led efforts to defeat the terrorist group.

","In Iraq, Australian PM Recommits to Fighting ISIS",{"_24":238,"_46":239,"_26":240,"_49":241},"SCR",9,"Security",[242,246,250,254,258],{"_24":243,"_55":244,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":245},"-K-0wgI7mGfrRyc3-jbY","

A new doctrine bluntly classifies NATO’s eastward expansion and the conflict in Ukraine as dangers to Russian security.

","Russia’s New Military Doctrine",{"_24":247,"_55":248,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":249},"-K-0wgI8_nitFHmaZyTJ","

Malaysia needs a first class navy, but falling oil prices, a weakening currency, and competing political priorities could get in the way.

","What’s Holding Malaysia’s Navy Back?",{"_24":251,"_55":252,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":253},"-K-0wgIC18MD3eO0zJcy","

The main battle tank will remain part of Asia-Pacific military arsenals for some time to come.

","The Main Battle Tanks of Asia: Junk or Still Useful?",{"_24":255,"_55":256,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":33,"_40":41,"_26":257},"-K-0wgIDYc1hw6VA_BeH","

Jakarta’s policy of sinking illegal vessels looks set to continue despite lingering concerns.

","Explaining Indonesia’s ‘Sink The Vessels’ Policy Under Jokowi",{"_24":259,"_55":260,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":115,"_40":41,"_26":261},"-K-0wgIF96ysBHN9marX","

Capability is no substitute for intent, and one shouldn’t be studied without the other.

","An East Asian Arms Race: Does It Even Matter?",{"_24":263,"_46":264,"_26":265,"_49":266},"DPL",10,"Diplomacy",[267,271,275,279],{"_24":268,"_55":269,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":270},"-K-0wgJ0ap5nnckWGizE","

The U.S.-India relationship has consistently underperformed expectations. Could that be about to change?

","All About the Guest: Obama in India",{"_24":272,"_55":273,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":274},"-K-0wgJ2qM9xcgreXDDh","

China signals a change in priorities, raising the risk of tension with the developed world.

","China’s Big Diplomacy Shift",{"_24":276,"_55":277,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":278},"-K-0wgJ4Eiz3FqA2P7cm","

No longer treated as a peripheral concern, Nepal is receiving overtures from both China and India.

","Nepal and the Great Power Courtship",{"_24":280,"_55":281,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":33,"_40":41,"_26":282},"-K-0wgJ6jS7Z28ZtMQq6","

Bilateral relations have seen a strong revival in recent months.

","Israel Targets Japan in ‘Look East’",{"_24":284,"_46":285,"_26":286,"_49":287},"ASL",11,"Asia Life",[288,292,296],{"_24":289,"_55":290,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":291},"-K-0wgJDtNSlwYuNdXBa","

To what extent could a shared cultural sphere overcome bitter disputes and heal wounds from East Asia’s past?

","Storytelling, Cultural Spheres and the Senkaku Dilemma",{"_24":293,"_55":294,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":295},"-K-0wgJEXV2JuacMjPg4","

Amid sweeping changes taking place in Mongolia, one thing remains constant: the importance of horses.

","The Mongol Horse: Supreme on the Steppe",{"_24":297,"_55":298,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":299},"-K-0wgJFxVwuG-vf6tau","

Philanthropy from the region is growing, despite some significant challenges.

","Asian Philanthropy: Strategic Social Stewardship","routes/$issue.masthead",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]

Masthead