[{"_1":2,"_301":-5,"_302":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_299":300},"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","2015-04","path","/2015-04","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-JlDLbr2iEg4j_MEdF-n","title","The Rebalance: Still on Track","description","In this issue, we look at the status of the vaunted U.S. rebalance to Asia, explain why Malaysia’s post-Anwar political future could be bleak, examine the evolving China-India relationship, and consider the fate of the mighty Mekong. We also offer extensive reporting, analysis and commentary on events from around the region.","masthead","","number",5,"date","April 2015","month",4,"year",2015,"status","rdy","toc",[44,63,86,95,120,144,168,193,218,239,260,281],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"-JlDNQFznD5QoNHu3K6d","priority",0,"Cover Story","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":47,"_18":61,"_40":41,"_26":62},"-JlDNS9CeBQw-OKvgTCx","image","05_CVRS_2","lead","

The Asia-Pacific rebalance is the most strategically significant and perpetually misunderstood foreign policy initiative of the Obama presidency.

","model","story","preview",1,"americas-rebalance-to-the-asia-pacific-on-course-on-speed","America’s Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific: On Course, On Speed",{"_24":64,"_46":60,"_26":65,"_49":66},"-JlEexqNR431hcta6PW8","Leads",[67,73,79],{"_24":68,"_53":69,"_55":70,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":47,"_18":71,"_40":41,"_26":72},"-JlEez50gQ0DPWtAOcWQ","05_LDS_1","

As the opposition leader sits in prison, a shadow looms overs Malaysian politics both at home and abroad.

","post-anwar-malaysias-gloomy-future","Post-Anwar: Malaysia’s Gloomy Future",{"_24":74,"_53":75,"_55":76,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":60,"_18":77,"_40":41,"_26":78},"-JlJwZwEx9fPGeU7v3bG","05_LDS_2","

The election of Narendra Modi last year has brought some noticeable changes to relations between Asia’s two great powers.

","an-evolution-in-china-india-relations","An Evolution in China-India Relations?",{"_24":80,"_53":81,"_55":82,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":83,"_18":84,"_40":41,"_26":85},"-JlJ0KTcJ2LmLZWaO59s","05_LDS_3","

The Mekong is a lifeline for 60 million people. But the region’s hunger for affordable energy is threatening traditional livelihoods and a unique biodiversity.

",2,"change-on-the-mighty-mekong","Change on the Mighty Mekong",{"_24":87,"_46":83,"_26":88,"_49":89},"-JleFfF4SReDHpmmy1JC","Interview",[90],{"_24":91,"_55":92,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_46":47,"_18":93,"_40":41,"_26":94},"-JleFvkrtFl7B59-j76F","

A new book collects the work of contemporary Afghan women poets.

","farzana-marie","Farzana Marie",{"_24":96,"_46":97,"_26":98,"_49":99},"-JlK2hEHyQjz7z5redMC",3,"China",[100,104,108,112,116],{"_24":101,"_55":102,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":103},"-JlK2kpdcWNJysY-8a6W","

CCP leaders are eager to reiterate that their reform and anti-corruption plans will not sink China’s economy.

","What the CCP Wants You to Watch for in 2015",{"_24":105,"_55":106,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":107},"-JlK7mnHbay9StC9PN9c","

Xi’s vision for governing China merges two classic Chinese philosophies: Han Feizi’s legalism and the mandates of ritual and morality taught by Confucius.

","China’s Guiding Philosophy",{"_24":109,"_55":110,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":111},"-JlKKg3q9BfUgeCHI_br","

The country’s one-child policy has created an astonishing number of unregistered children.

","China’s Hidden Children",{"_24":113,"_55":114,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":97,"_40":41,"_26":115},"-JlKX9EPWLK8lHVTbW_F","

The Chinese party-state is certainly facing decay – but so are most Western democracies.

","Why Do People Keep Predicting China's Collapse?",{"_24":117,"_55":118,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":119},"-JlKlPAqbdHnH0erURCM","

The first trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in nearly three years included a major emphasis on history.

","History Debate on Display at Rare China-Japan-South Korea Meeting",{"_24":121,"_46":37,"_26":122,"_49":123},"-JlODIArAhBlIfsDzOVs","Northeast Asia",[124,128,132,136,140],{"_24":125,"_55":126,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":127},"-JlODuBj9zDpA-OrWZxW","

From the TPP to Okinawa, the upcoming summit between the Japanese prime minister and U.S. president will have a full agenda.

","What Will Abe Bring to Washington?",{"_24":129,"_55":130,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":131},"-JlOJN88KnWJKmmLeeWO","

Four upcoming by-elections could be make or break for Korea’s party of the left, the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, and its leader.

","April By-Elections a Big Test for South Korea’s NPAD",{"_24":133,"_55":134,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":135},"-JlON8_ZhvrjOv5HYsfu","

Angela Merkel’s visit to Japan has reignited the old comparisons of Japan and Germany’s postwar actions.

","What Can Japan Really Learn From Germany?",{"_24":137,"_55":138,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":97,"_40":41,"_26":139},"-JlOhzhtb5YboycfiV9M","

South Korea must solve its deep-rooted gender bias problem.

","South Korea: Home to OECD's Thickest 'Glass Ceiling'",{"_24":141,"_55":142,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":143},"-JlOp8cSu4lmx7rTboUJ","

Why don’t we hear much about Taiwan in Washington D.C. anymore?

","Is Taiwan out of Vogue in Washington DC?",{"_24":145,"_46":33,"_26":146,"_49":147},"-JlOvjUhOJqROvTPiFPb","South Asia",[148,152,156,160,164],{"_24":149,"_55":150,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":151},"-JlOwRZA-ftndgbHQsWo","

India is caught between its agrarian heritage and the promises of development.

","Two Visions for India’s Future",{"_24":153,"_55":154,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":155},"-JlP6eOw74nShW1hHrve","

Afghanistan’s leaders are working hard to repair their country’s damaged relationship with the U.S.

","Repairing a Partnership",{"_24":157,"_55":158,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":159},"-JlPDUkANrt9131Ipwya","

Pakistan is trying to combat terrorist organizations online, with mixed results.

","Fighting Terrorism on Social Media",{"_24":161,"_55":162,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":97,"_40":41,"_26":163},"-JlPL22x-J_5Nv_RQaJW","

After last week’s arrests of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders, political violence could surge in Karachi.

","Pakistan’s Biggest City Crippled by Politics",{"_24":165,"_55":166,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-JlPKyuUitKmuQ9lfP7s","

The country may have fallen in the rankings, but is freedom of information really on the decline?

","Is Bhutan’s Media Freedom Really Slipping?",{"_24":169,"_46":170,"_26":171,"_49":172},"-JlPVqPglK2aqApnuo8s",6,"Southeast Asia",[173,177,181,185,189],{"_24":174,"_55":175,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":176},"-JlPW_bMf1kvjrqMMEs_","

Falling commodities prices represent both a crisis and an opportunity for Indonesia.

","The Commodities Price Collapse and Indonesia’s Economy",{"_24":178,"_55":179,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":180},"-Jlc29NRFiHHqTKwx_BS","

Manila and Beijing have a long way to go to improve their troubled relations.

","Why China and the Philippines Won’t Reconcile Anytime Soon",{"_24":182,"_55":183,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":184},"-Jlc87hrX6RZJS1YDON3","

Singapore’s founding prime minister has died. What was his legacy?

","How Do We Remember Lee Kuan Yew?",{"_24":186,"_55":187,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":97,"_40":41,"_26":188},"-JlcFhHbiD2WFbrcIVBV","

In abandoning its democratic ideals, the country risks a return to a pre-modern era.

","Thailand’s Big Step Backwards",{"_24":190,"_55":191,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":192},"-JlcK5Cg0yed6QvwQ0a6","

Every year, Indonesians flock abroad dreaming of opportunity. For many, the reality is harsh.

","Indonesia’s Migrant Workers: Dreams and Tears",{"_24":194,"_46":195,"_26":196,"_49":197},"-JlcRxi9p27id0R5B_Uh",7,"Central Asia",[198,202,206,210,214],{"_24":199,"_55":200,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":201},"-JlcSK0xr35sm4U9sKEZ","

Although it originated the idea of the Eurasian Economic Union, Astana has hardly benefited from its creation.

","Kazakhstan’s Eurasian Union Gloom",{"_24":203,"_55":204,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":205},"-JlcW3wS3sffO7n569MC","

Despite two popular revolutions in ten years, Kyrgyzstan is no closer to capitalizing on its much touted democratic potential.

","Stalled Progress in Kyrgyzstan",{"_24":207,"_55":208,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":209},"-Jlcc2-7Fbd5CjbE3MdY","

With loans from the World Bank and the ADB, Tajikistan strengthens its infrastructure.

","International Lenders Bet on Tajikistan",{"_24":211,"_55":212,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":97,"_40":41,"_26":213},"-JlcfTC1vgA7vM6sD2Fp","

Kazakhstan’s president will run one more time, but indicated that it’s time for a change.

","Kazakhstan: One Last Time for Nazarbayev",{"_24":215,"_55":216,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":37,"_40":41,"_26":217},"-JlcjdsONHOXCSvFWKD3","

Central Asian governments have faced some difficult choices in responding to Russian revanchism.

","Russia, Crimea and Central Asia",{"_24":219,"_46":220,"_26":221,"_49":222},"-JlcnbUtkX28DzliW5pq",8,"Oceania",[223,227,231,235],{"_24":224,"_55":225,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":226},"-Jld5bOjW8hsDtcjYFXL","

Falling prices are putting the squeeze on Australia’s major iron ore producers.

","Iron Ore’s War of Attrition",{"_24":228,"_55":229,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":230},"-Jld9krvrKfrYnfjUtE4","

The prime minister has been a staunch supporter of Indigenous rights. That makes his recent remarks all the more baffling.

","Abbott Confuses on Indigenous Australians",{"_24":232,"_55":233,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":234},"-JldDwuBQ7cvUbptDc6P","

Under a new coalition government, the Pacific state has a chance to adopt much-needed reforms.

","Can the Solomon Islands Reform?",{"_24":236,"_55":237,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":97,"_40":41,"_26":238},"-JldL-lpMWgEgjE6u89i","

Revelations emerge that New Zealand has been spying on friendly neighbors.

","New Zealand: Spying for the Club",{"_24":240,"_46":241,"_26":242,"_49":243},"-JldPePSG9L27mrfH8hn",9,"Security",[244,248,252,256],{"_24":245,"_55":246,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":247},"-JldQBLBS4IV0MrS1eT1","

More aggressive defense approaches in cyberspace promise to test bilateral relations.

","Active Cyber Defense and the Sino-US Relationship",{"_24":249,"_55":250,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":251},"-JldWXp8MO44ioKw8M4K","

Defense ministers met in Malaysia in March to discuss disaster relief, the Islamic State, and the South China Sea.

","ASEAN Moves Forward on Regional Security Proposals",{"_24":253,"_55":254,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":255},"-Jld_A5hE1f1I5B08HDT","

What Japan is doing is clear. Why it is doing it is much more complex.

","Is Japan's Militarization Normal?",{"_24":257,"_55":258,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":97,"_40":41,"_26":259},"-JlddQOng4-kDPBzvQhh","

Pentagon officials are deeply worried about Chinese and Russian anti-satellite weapons. Are their concerns justified?

","Is the Pentagon Losing the Arms Race in Space?",{"_24":261,"_46":262,"_26":263,"_49":264},"-JldgaFJaL86i2rBXLP1",10,"Diplomacy",[265,269,273,277],{"_24":266,"_55":267,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":268},"-JldhIx5iCw-EgRpIG0E","

In delivering his speech commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Abe’s tone will matter most.

","70 Years After the War, What Should Abe Say?",{"_24":270,"_55":271,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":41,"_26":272},"-JldnveZikjWe8unjPC-","

Modi’s recent tour of the Indian Ocean Region certainly indicates an Indian desire to serve as the region’s custodian.

","Is the Indian Ocean India’s Ocean?",{"_24":274,"_55":275,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":276},"-Jldrdcvdth_veiytV26","

The organization’s significance is in question during a critical year.

","Is ASEAN Still Relevant?",{"_24":278,"_55":279,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":97,"_40":41,"_26":280},"-Jldw21jqMHxlwTNekJZ","

The foreign ministers of China, Japan, and South Korea suggested that the long-stalled leaders’ summit could be back on.

","China, Japan, South Korea May Resume Leaders' Summit",{"_24":282,"_46":283,"_26":284,"_49":285},"-JldzXepxC-jBJhhWR_E",11,"Asia Life",[286,290,295],{"_24":287,"_55":288,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":47,"_40":41,"_26":289},"-Jldz_Dkuex88Cm7KHGw","

For decades after U Thant’s death his house in Yangon was left to rot, but memory of Asia’s first UN secretary-general is now being restored.

","U Thant’s House",{"_24":291,"_55":292,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":60,"_40":293,"_26":294},"-Jle3Zq6wEbI3TnmODhT","

Forty years after being decimated by the Khmer Rouge, the local film industry is making a stir on the international stage.

","drf","Cambodia: Dawn of a New Cinematic Golden Era",{"_24":296,"_55":297,"_57":58,"_59":47,"_46":83,"_40":41,"_26":298},"-JleBkCiBSKe5QckQGKG","

A new tourist bus company is setting out to reboot culture in an exhausted country.

","Reclaiming Pakistan, One City at a Time","routes/$issue.masthead",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]

Masthead