Expanding the Military Footprint: China’s New Air Base in Laos – The Diplomat (https://fonts.gstatic.com) (https://fonts.googleapis.com/) (../../../wp-content/plugins/compact-wp-audio-player/css/flashblock.css) (../../../wp-content/plugins/compact-wp-audio-player/css/player.css) (../../../wp-content/plugins/captcha/css/front_end_style.css) (../../../wp-content/plugins/captcha/css/desktop_style.css) (../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css@family=Noto+Sans%253A400,400i,700,700i%257CNoto+Serif%253A400,400i,700,700i.css) (../../../wp-content/themes/td_theme_v3/style.css) (index.html) (../../../wp-content/themes/td_theme_v3/build/20190918/css/global.min.css) (../../../wp-content/themes/td_theme_v3/build/20190918/css/story.min.css) (../../../dpl-web/2026-10-14-b261b5af/css/main.css) (../../../wp-content/themes/td_theme_v3/build/20190918/css/print.min.css) All Sections Search (https://thediplomat.com/) Read The Diplomat , Know The Asia-Pacific (https://thediplomat.com/regions/central-asia/) Central Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/east-asia/) East Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/oceania-region/) Oceania (https://thediplomat.com/regions/south-asia/) South Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/southeast-asia/) Southeast Asia | (https://thediplomat.com/topics/security/) Security (https://thediplomat.com/topics/politics/) Politics (https://thediplomat.com/topics/diplomacy/) Diplomacy (https://thediplomat.com/topics/economy/) Economy (https://thediplomat.com/topics/society/) Society (https://thediplomat.com/topics/environment/) Environment (https://thediplomat.com/topics/opinion/) Opinion (https://thediplomat.com/category/features/) Features | All Regions (https://thediplomat.com/regions/central-asia/) Central Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/east-asia/) East Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/oceania-region/) Oceania (https://thediplomat.com/regions/south-asia/) South Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/southeast-asia/) Southeast Asia Topics (https://thediplomat.com/topics/diplomacy/) Diplomacy (https://thediplomat.com/topics/economy/) Economy (https://thediplomat.com/topics/environment/) Environment (https://thediplomat.com/topics/opinion/) Opinion (https://thediplomat.com/topics/politics/) Politics (https://thediplomat.com/topics/security/) Security (https://thediplomat.com/topics/society/) Society Blogs (https://thediplomat.com/category/asean-beat/) ASEAN Beat (https://thediplomat.com/category/asia-defense/) Asia Defense (https://thediplomat.com/category/china-power/) China Power (https://thediplomat.com/category/crossroads-asia/) Crossroads Asia (https://thediplomat.com/category/flashpoints/) Flashpoints (https://thediplomat.com/category/oceania/) Oceania (https://thediplomat.com/category/pacific-money/) Pacific Money (https://thediplomat.com/category/the-debate/) The Debate (https://thediplomat.com/category/the-koreas/) The Koreas (https://thediplomat.com/category/the-pulse/) The Pulse (https://thediplomat.com/category/tokyo-report/) Tokyo Report (https://thediplomat.com/category/trans-pacific-view/) Trans-Pacific View More (https://thediplomat.com/category/features/) Features (https://thediplomat.com/category/interviews/) Interviews (https://thediplomat.com/category/photo-essays/) Photo Essays (https://thediplomat.com/category/podcasts/) Podcasts (https://thediplomat.com/category/videos/) Videos Newsletter (https://thediplomat.com/newsletter/) Diplomat Brief Weekly Newsletter The Diplomat (https://thediplomat.com/) Home Page (https://thediplomat.com/the-diplomat/) About Us (https://thediplomat.com/contact-us/) Contact Us (https://thediplomat.com/write-for-us/) Write for Us (https://thediplomat.com/about-us/advertise/) Advertise (https://thediplomat.com/syndication/) Syndicate (https://thediplomat.com/privacy-policy/) Privacy (https://thediplomat.com/newsletter/) Newsletter (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions/) Subscriptions Flashpoints Expanding the Military Footprint: China’s New Air Base in Laos (Share on LinkedIn) (https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F10%2Fexpanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos%2F&title=Expanding+the+Military+Footprint%3A+China%E2%80%99s+New+Air+Base+in+Laos) (Share on Facebook) (https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F10%2Fexpanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos%2F) (Share on Bluesky) (https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Expanding+the+Military+Footprint%3A+China%E2%80%99s+New+Air+Base+in+Laos%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F10%2Fexpanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos%2F) (Share on X) (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Expanding+the+Military+Footprint%3A+China%E2%80%99s+New+Air+Base+in+Laos&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F10%2Fexpanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos%2F) Recent Features (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/the-proliferation-of-illicit-drones-in-southeast-asia/) (The Proliferation of Illicit Drones in Southeast Asia) (The Proliferation of Illicit Drones in Southeast Asia) Security The Proliferation of Illicit Drones in Southeast Asia (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/what-the-new-china-north-korea-bridge-really-means/) (What the New China-North Korea Bridge Really Means) (What the New China-North Korea Bridge Really Means) Economy What the New China-North Korea Bridge Really Means (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/after-8-months-in-power-how-much-has-the-bnp-changed-bangladesh/) (After 8 Months in Power, How Much Has the BNP Changed Bangladesh?) (After 8 Months in Power, How Much Has the BNP Changed Bangladesh?) Politics After 8 Months in Power, How Much Has the BNP Changed Bangladesh? (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/one-day-at-a-time-inside-an-idp-camp-in-myanmar-survival-is-a-daily-challenge/) (‘One Day at a Time’: Inside an IDP Camp in Myanmar, Survival Is a Daily Challenge) (‘One Day at a Time’: Inside an IDP Camp in Myanmar, Survival Is a Daily Challenge) Society ‘One Day at a Time’: Inside an IDP Camp in Myanmar, Survival Is a Daily Challenge (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/chinas-advance-in-the-bahamas/) (China’s Advance in the Bahamas) (China’s Advance in the Bahamas) Diplomacy China’s Advance in the Bahamas (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/drones-and-missiles-are-rewriting-the-military-balance-on-the-korean-peninsula/) (Drones and Missiles Are Rewriting the Military Balance on the Korean Peninsula) (Drones and Missiles Are Rewriting the Military Balance on the Korean Peninsula) Security Drones and Missiles Are Rewriting the Military Balance on the Korean Peninsula (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/wolf-warriors-in-sheeps-clothing-chinas-new-subnational-diplomacy-in-australia/) (Wolf Warriors in Sheep’s Clothing: China’s New Subnational Diplomacy in Australia) (Wolf Warriors in Sheep’s Clothing: China’s New Subnational Diplomacy in Australia) Diplomacy Wolf Warriors in Sheep’s Clothing: China’s New Subnational Diplomacy in Australia (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/southeast-asia-has-a-serious-drug-problem/) (Southeast Asia Has a Serious Drug Problem) (Southeast Asia Has a Serious Drug Problem) Videos Southeast Asia Has a Serious Drug Problem (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/indonesias-energy-investment-potential/) (Indonesia’s Energy Investment Potential) (Indonesia’s Energy Investment Potential) Economy Indonesia’s Energy Investment Potential (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/why-kim-jong-un-should-want-a-4th-summit-with-donald-trump/) (Why Kim Jong Un Should Want a 4th Summit With Donald Trump) (Why Kim Jong Un Should Want a 4th Summit With Donald Trump) Diplomacy Why Kim Jong Un Should Want a 4th Summit With Donald Trump (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/a-raid-on-a-gay-bar-risks-taiwans-lgbtq-friendly-reputation/) (A Raid on a Gay Bar Risks Taiwan’s LGBTQ-Friendly Reputation) (A Raid on a Gay Bar Risks Taiwan’s LGBTQ-Friendly Reputation) Society A Raid on a Gay Bar Risks Taiwan’s LGBTQ-Friendly Reputation (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/the-lessons-the-taliban-have-learned/) (The Lessons the Taliban Have Learned) (The Lessons the Taliban Have Learned) Society The Lessons the Taliban Have Learned (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions/) Subscribe for ads-free reading (https://thediplomat.com/category/flashpoints/) Flashpoints | (https://thediplomat.com/topics/security/) Security | (https://thediplomat.com/regions/southeast-asia/) Southeast Asia Expanding the Military Footprint: China’s New Air Base in Laos Establishment of the Laotian base follows a pattern in China’s growing external military presence and access. (Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan) (Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan) By (https://thediplomat.com/authors/rajeswari-pillai-rajagopalan/) Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan October 20, 2026 (Share on LinkedIn) (https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F10%2Fexpanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos%2F&title=Expanding+the+Military+Footprint%3A+China%E2%80%99s+New+Air+Base+in+Laos) (Share on Facebook) (https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F10%2Fexpanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos%2F) (Share on Bluesky) (https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Expanding+the+Military+Footprint%3A+China%E2%80%99s+New+Air+Base+in+Laos%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F10%2Fexpanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos%2F) (Share on X) (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Expanding+the+Military+Footprint%3A+China%E2%80%99s+New+Air+Base+in+Laos&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthediplomat.com%2F2026%2F10%2Fexpanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos%2F) (Expanding the Military Footprint: China’s New Air Base in Laos) (Expanding the Military Footprint: China’s New Air Base in Laos) Credit: (https://manage.thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/thediplomat_2024-07-19-131528.jpg) Depositphotos (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions/) Subscribe for ads-free reading As China’s power and self-confidence grows, it’s becoming much more active in projecting that power by establishing military bases abroad. The latest is at Ban Keun Airport near Vientiane, where China has established a joint support and training facility with Laos, according to a September (http://eng.mod.gov.cn/2025xb/D/V/16490652.html) announcement by the Ministry of National Defense in Beijing. It is the first overseas military facility that China has openly acknowledged, unlike the ones in Djibouti and Cambodia. This has several implications for the region. But first, the base itself. Satellite imagery procured and analyzed by (https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/08/asia/laos-china-airbase-cia-intl-hnk-ml) CNN shows a 2,000-meter-long runway, taxiway, and parking apron for 22 aircraft. CNN also reports rapid construction at the site. Other media (https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/attack-aircraft-military-vehicles-visible-new-china-laos-base-satellite-images-2026-10-06/) reports mention that satellite photos show eight aircraft, likely Chinese-Pakistani Hongdu JL-8 training and light attack jets (also called K-8s), and more than two dozen support vehicles. Laos (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445477) is known to own this type of aircraft, but fewer than the eight seen at the facility. Laos could have bought more, or the extras may be Chinese. China has said that the facility is strictly for training Lao air force pilots, “enhancing practical military cooperation,” and “promoting regional peace and stability.” This sounds reasonable enough, but it conflicts with China’s own previous positions on foreign military facilities. It has been a vocal critic of the global U.S. military presence. Establishment of the Laotian base follows a pattern in China’s growing external military presence and access. China established its first overseas military facility in Djibouti in 2017, maintaining then and now that it is merely a logistical facility. This is still its most distant foreign military base, sitting astride the crucial waters overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait leading to the Red Sea. Closer to home, a Washington Post story in 2022 revealed that China was upgrading the Cambodian Ream Naval Base, with the Chinese military being given “ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/06/cambodia-china-navy-base-ream/) exclusive use ” of parts of it. China and Cambodia initially denied the report, but last year they formally inaugurated the facility. Soon warships from both countries visited it, conducting joint military drills. Though the base is not very far from China’s own territory, it’s on the strategically crucial Gulf of Thailand and thereby strengthens China’s position in the Indo-Pacific and particularly in the South China Sea. With the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia and Ban Keun Air Facility in Laos, China now has both naval and aviation logistics hubs in the area. There are at least four implications from the establishment of the base in Laos, both for neighbors such as Vietnam and the whole region. First, sitting to the west of Vietnam, it gives China one more pressure point on that country. Vietnam already has a complicated relationship with China, with close economic ties but also significant territorial disputes. Second, it adds an air power dimension to China’s foreign base activity. The two foreign bases that China previously built were both naval ones. The latest base at Ban Keun provides China’s air force with an air power footing in a strategically sensitive region. China can be expected to later extend the runway to support Chinese surveillance aircraft or bombers. Though Laos is land-locked, its long and narrow geography could provide China with an excellent site for monitoring activity across Southeast Asia. Third, this represents a new type of military basing activity. For China, what matters is assured access. By packaging access as joint training facilities or disaster relief and humanitarian support hubs, Beijing secures a more lasting presence while avoiding the diplomatic and political cost of building traditional military bases. As far as China is concerned, it has created pretty much the same strategic effect without investing in a dedicated Western-style base of its own. Also unlike Western bases, China’s decision to act on Ban Keun, as ASPI senior analyst Rachel Vandenbrink (https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/08/asia/laos-china-airbase-cia-intl-hnk-ml) told Reuters, was “more about a target of opportunity than filling an obvious operational need.” Finally, the ratcheting up of military pressure increasingly strains Southeast Asia’s traditional strategy of hedging, in which countries of the region integrate with China’s manufacturing strength while balancing it with U.S. military power. Regional powers will need to consider how long they can hedge when Chinese military power looms ever larger over them. This article was (https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/expanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos/) originally published in ASPI’s The Strategist . Already have an account? Log in . You have reached the limit of 2 free articles this month. Get to the bottom of the story (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) Subscribe today and join thousands of diplomats, analysts, policy professionals and business readers who rely on The Diplomat for expert Asia-Pacific coverage. Get unlimited access to in-depth analysis you won't find anywhere else, from South China Sea tensions to ASEAN diplomacy to India-Pakistan relations. More than 5,000 articles a year. Unlimited articles and expert analysis Weekly newsletter with exclusive insights 16-year archive of diplomatic coverage Ad-free reading on all devices Support independent journalism (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) Subscribe Now (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions) View Subscription Options Already have an account? Log in . As China’s power and self-confidence grows, it’s becoming much more active in projecting that power by establishing military bases abroad. The latest is at Ban Keun Airport near Vientiane, where China has established a joint support and training facility with Laos, according to a September (http://eng.mod.gov.cn/2025xb/D/V/16490652.html) announcement by the Ministry of National Defense in Beijing. It is the first overseas military facility that China has openly acknowledged, unlike the ones in Djibouti and Cambodia. This has several implications for the region. But first, the base itself. Satellite imagery procured and analyzed by (https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/08/asia/laos-china-airbase-cia-intl-hnk-ml) CNN shows a 2,000-meter-long runway, taxiway, and parking apron for 22 aircraft. CNN also reports rapid construction at the site. Other media (https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/attack-aircraft-military-vehicles-visible-new-china-laos-base-satellite-images-2026-10-06/) reports mention that satellite photos show eight aircraft, likely Chinese-Pakistani Hongdu JL-8 training and light attack jets (also called K-8s), and more than two dozen support vehicles. Laos (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445477) is known to own this type of aircraft, but fewer than the eight seen at the facility. Laos could have bought more, or the extras may be Chinese. China has said that the facility is strictly for training Lao air force pilots, “enhancing practical military cooperation,” and “promoting regional peace and stability.” This sounds reasonable enough, but it conflicts with China’s own previous positions on foreign military facilities. It has been a vocal critic of the global U.S. military presence. Establishment of the Laotian base follows a pattern in China’s growing external military presence and access. China established its first overseas military facility in Djibouti in 2017, maintaining then and now that it is merely a logistical facility. This is still its most distant foreign military base, sitting astride the crucial waters overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait leading to the Red Sea. Closer to home, a Washington Post story in 2022 revealed that China was upgrading the Cambodian Ream Naval Base, with the Chinese military being given “ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/06/cambodia-china-navy-base-ream/) exclusive use ” of parts of it. China and Cambodia initially denied the report, but last year they formally inaugurated the facility. Soon warships from both countries visited it, conducting joint military drills. Though the base is not very far from China’s own territory, it’s on the strategically crucial Gulf of Thailand and thereby strengthens China’s position in the Indo-Pacific and particularly in the South China Sea. With the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia and Ban Keun Air Facility in Laos, China now has both naval and aviation logistics hubs in the area. There are at least four implications from the establishment of the base in Laos, both for neighbors such as Vietnam and the whole region. First, sitting to the west of Vietnam, it gives China one more pressure point on that country. Vietnam already has a complicated relationship with China, with close economic ties but also significant territorial disputes. Second, it adds an air power dimension to China’s foreign base activity. The two foreign bases that China previously built were both naval ones. The latest base at Ban Keun provides China’s air force with an air power footing in a strategically sensitive region. China can be expected to later extend the runway to support Chinese surveillance aircraft or bombers. Though Laos is land-locked, its long and narrow geography could provide China with an excellent site for monitoring activity across Southeast Asia. Third, this represents a new type of military basing activity. For China, what matters is assured access. By packaging access as joint training facilities or disaster relief and humanitarian support hubs, Beijing secures a more lasting presence while avoiding the diplomatic and political cost of building traditional military bases. As far as China is concerned, it has created pretty much the same strategic effect without investing in a dedicated Western-style base of its own. Also unlike Western bases, China’s decision to act on Ban Keun, as ASPI senior analyst Rachel Vandenbrink (https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/08/asia/laos-china-airbase-cia-intl-hnk-ml) told Reuters, was “more about a target of opportunity than filling an obvious operational need.” Finally, the ratcheting up of military pressure increasingly strains Southeast Asia’s traditional strategy of hedging, in which countries of the region integrate with China’s manufacturing strength while balancing it with U.S. military power. Regional powers will need to consider how long they can hedge when Chinese military power looms ever larger over them. This article was (https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/expanding-the-military-footprint-chinas-new-air-base-in-laos/) originally published in ASPI’s The Strategist . Authors (Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan) (Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan) Contributing Author Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan Dr. Rajeswari (Raji) Pillai Rajagopalan is the Resident Senior Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra, Australia. (https://thediplomat.com/authors/rajeswari-pillai-rajagopalan/) View Profile Tags (https://thediplomat.com/category/flashpoints/) Flashpoints (https://thediplomat.com/topics/security/) Security (https://thediplomat.com/regions/southeast-asia/) Southeast Asia (https://thediplomat.com/countries/china/) China (https://thediplomat.com/countries/laos/) Laos (https://thediplomat.com/tag/ban-keun-airport/) Ban Keun airport (https://thediplomat.com/tag/china-military-basing/) China military basing (https://thediplomat.com/tag/chinese-foreign-bases/) Chinese foreign bases (https://thediplomat.com/tag/laos-china-relations/) Laos-China relations (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions/) Subscribe for ads-free reading Advertisement (https://thediplomat.com/category/blogs/) Latest Stories (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/weapons-to-russia-wigs-to-china-how-north-korea-balances-its-allies/) (Weapons to Russia, Wigs to China: How North Korea Balances Its Allies) (Weapons to Russia, Wigs to China: How North Korea Balances Its Allies) Weapons to Russia, Wigs to China: How North Korea Balances Its Allies (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/bougainville-needs-a-credible-timetable-for-pngs-independence-vote-australia-can-help/) (Bougainville Needs a Credible Timetable for PNG’s Independence Vote. Australia Can Help.) (Bougainville Needs a Credible Timetable for PNG’s Independence Vote. Australia Can Help.) Bougainville Needs a Credible Timetable for PNG’s Independence Vote. Australia Can Help. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/taiwans-tech-diplomacy-has-a-labor-problem/) (Taiwan’s Tech Diplomacy Has a Labor Problem) (Taiwan’s Tech Diplomacy Has a Labor Problem) Taiwan’s Tech Diplomacy Has a Labor Problem (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/north-korea-wants-security-talks-with-the-us-not-nuclear-talks/) (North Korea Wants Security Talks With the US, Not Nuclear Talks) (North Korea Wants Security Talks With the US, Not Nuclear Talks) North Korea Wants Security Talks With the US, Not Nuclear Talks Advertisement Diplomat Brief Weekly Newsletter Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific. (https://thediplomat.com/newsletter/) Get the Newsletter Advertisement Related (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/debunking-alarmist-narratives-on-the-china-air-base-in-laos/) (Debunking Alarmist Narratives on the ‘China Air Base’ in Laos) (Debunking Alarmist Narratives on the ‘China Air Base’ in Laos) Debunking Alarmist Narratives on the ‘China Air Base’ in Laos By Olli Pekka Suorsa The most widespread narratives regarding the Laos-China Support and Training Center lack evidence and demonstrate a limited understanding of air power. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/the-strategic-implications-of-chinas-military-facility-in-laos/) (The Strategic Implications of China’s Military Facility in Laos) (The Strategic Implications of China’s Military Facility in Laos) The Strategic Implications of China’s Military Facility in Laos By Ying Yu Lin Ban Keun poses only a limited direct threat to the South China Sea or Taiwan, but it will enhance China’s ability to place pressure on U.S. naval forces. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/chinas-military-open-new-logistics-and-training-facility-in-laos/) (China’s Military Open New Logistics and Training Facility in Laos) (China’s Military Open New Logistics and Training Facility in Laos) China’s Military Open New Logistics and Training Facility in Laos By Sebastian Strangio The center north of Vientiane, a counterpart to a similar naval facility in Cambodia, marks a further extension of Beijing's security presence in mainland Southeast Asia. (https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/laos-and-china-use-bri-funded-railway-to-bring-their-armies-together/) (Laos and China Use BRI-funded Railway to Bring Their Armies Together) (Laos and China Use BRI-funded Railway to Bring Their Armies Together) Laos and China Use BRI-funded Railway to Bring Their Armies Together By Duncan Bartlett Military drills involving the People’s Liberation Army in Laos are designed to enhance China’s fighting capability in Southeast Asia. Most Read (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/what-i-learned-from-a-year-of-interviewing-a-thai-sex-worker/) (What I Learned From a Year of Interviewing a Thai Sex Worker) (What I Learned From a Year of Interviewing a Thai Sex Worker) What I Learned From a Year of Interviewing a Thai Sex Worker By Toh Oon Hoe Decades of research have identified economic privation as a leading cause of entry into the country's illegal sex trade. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/tajikistan-turkmenistan-to-import-indian-surface-to-air-missile-systems/) (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan to Import Indian Surface-to-Air Missile Systems) (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan to Import Indian Surface-to-Air Missile Systems) Tajikistan, Turkmenistan to Import Indian Surface-to-Air Missile Systems By Catherine Putz Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are newer customers for the indigenous Akash medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile system. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/why-pakistan-tested-an-extended-range-version-of-the-fatah-iv/) (Why Pakistan Tested an Extended Range Version of the Fatah-IV) (Why Pakistan Tested an Extended Range Version of the Fatah-IV) Why Pakistan Tested an Extended Range Version of the Fatah-IV By Usman Haider and Abdul Moiz Khan Pakistan is likely looking to counter the Indian Air Force’s future strategy of launching air-launched missiles from standoff ranges. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/wolf-warriors-in-sheeps-clothing-chinas-new-subnational-diplomacy-in-australia/) (Wolf Warriors in Sheep’s Clothing: China’s New Subnational Diplomacy in Australia) (Wolf Warriors in Sheep’s Clothing: China’s New Subnational Diplomacy in Australia) Wolf Warriors in Sheep’s Clothing: China’s New Subnational Diplomacy in Australia By John Fitzgerald Beijing’s diplomatic officials are adopting the language of the Albanese government to press their demands upon local governments and communities. (https://thediplomat.com/category/features/) Features (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/the-proliferation-of-illicit-drones-in-southeast-asia/) (The Proliferation of Illicit Drones in Southeast Asia) (The Proliferation of Illicit Drones in Southeast Asia) The Proliferation of Illicit Drones in Southeast Asia By Rueben Dass The past two years have seen the growing use of off-the-shelf commercial drones for criminal and militant activities. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/what-the-new-china-north-korea-bridge-really-means/) (What the New China-North Korea Bridge Really Means) (What the New China-North Korea Bridge Really Means) What the New China-North Korea Bridge Really Means By Lee Sang Yong 12 years after construction finished, the New Yalu River Bridge is finally open. Will North Korea's economy open too? (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/after-8-months-in-power-how-much-has-the-bnp-changed-bangladesh/) (After 8 Months in Power, How Much Has the BNP Changed Bangladesh?) (After 8 Months in Power, How Much Has the BNP Changed Bangladesh?) After 8 Months in Power, How Much Has the BNP Changed Bangladesh? By Saqlain Rizve It remains to be seen how willing the new government is to change the institutions that it now controls. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/one-day-at-a-time-inside-an-idp-camp-in-myanmar-survival-is-a-daily-challenge/) (‘One Day at a Time’: Inside an IDP Camp in Myanmar, Survival Is a Daily Challenge) (‘One Day at a Time’: Inside an IDP Camp in Myanmar, Survival Is a Daily Challenge) ‘One Day at a Time’: Inside an IDP Camp in Myanmar, Survival Is a Daily Challenge By Rajeev Bhattacharyya Some of those living in the Old Kran Khun camp were once well off. Now they forage in the fields and forests around the IDP camp for food and firewood. (https://thediplomat.com/category/blogs/) Latest Stories (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/weapons-to-russia-wigs-to-china-how-north-korea-balances-its-allies/) (Weapons to Russia, Wigs to China: How North Korea Balances Its Allies) (Weapons to Russia, Wigs to China: How North Korea Balances Its Allies) Weapons to Russia, Wigs to China: How North Korea Balances Its Allies By Khang Vu A clear division of labor ensures North Korea’s alliances with Russia and China are complementary, not competitive with each other. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/bougainville-needs-a-credible-timetable-for-pngs-independence-vote-australia-can-help/) (Bougainville Needs a Credible Timetable for PNG’s Independence Vote. Australia Can Help.) (Bougainville Needs a Credible Timetable for PNG’s Independence Vote. Australia Can Help.) Bougainville Needs a Credible Timetable for PNG’s Independence Vote. Australia Can Help. By Yilan Liang Canberra should stay out of what Port Moresby decides on Bougainville, but it can push for a concrete timeline for the decision. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/taiwans-tech-diplomacy-has-a-labor-problem/) (Taiwan’s Tech Diplomacy Has a Labor Problem) (Taiwan’s Tech Diplomacy Has a Labor Problem) Taiwan’s Tech Diplomacy Has a Labor Problem By Ethan Chiu Migrant worker recruitment debt threatens the island’s access to Western markets and its ties with Southeast Asia. (https://thediplomat.com/2026/10/north-korea-wants-security-talks-with-the-us-not-nuclear-talks/) (North Korea Wants Security Talks With the US, Not Nuclear Talks) (North Korea Wants Security Talks With the US, Not Nuclear Talks) North Korea Wants Security Talks With the US, Not Nuclear Talks By Sangsoo Lee For decades, Washington tried to change Pyongyang’s nuclear policy. Now North Korea is trying to do the reverse: use its nuclear weapons to change U.S. policy. Regions (https://thediplomat.com/regions/central-asia/) Central Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/east-asia/) East Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/oceania-region/) Oceania (https://thediplomat.com/regions/south-asia/) South Asia (https://thediplomat.com/regions/southeast-asia/) Southeast Asia Topics (https://thediplomat.com/topics/diplomacy/) Diplomacy (https://thediplomat.com/topics/economy/) Economy (https://thediplomat.com/topics/environment/) Environment (https://thediplomat.com/topics/opinion/) Opinion (https://thediplomat.com/topics/politics/) Politics (https://thediplomat.com/topics/security/) Security (https://thediplomat.com/topics/society/) Society Blogs (https://thediplomat.com/category/asean-beat/) ASEAN Beat (https://thediplomat.com/category/asia-defense/) Asia Defense (https://thediplomat.com/category/china-power/) China Power (https://thediplomat.com/category/crossroads-asia/) Crossroads Asia (https://thediplomat.com/category/flashpoints/) Flashpoints (https://thediplomat.com/category/oceania/) Oceania (https://thediplomat.com/category/pacific-money/) Pacific Money (https://thediplomat.com/category/the-debate/) The Debate (https://thediplomat.com/category/the-koreas/) The Koreas (https://thediplomat.com/category/the-pulse/) The Pulse (https://thediplomat.com/category/tokyo-report/) Tokyo Report (https://thediplomat.com/category/trans-pacific-view/) Trans-Pacific View More (https://thediplomat.com/category/features/) Features (https://thediplomat.com/category/interviews/) Interviews (https://thediplomat.com/category/photo-essays/) Photo Essays (https://thediplomat.com/category/podcasts/) Podcasts (https://thediplomat.com/category/videos/) Videos Archives (https://magazine.thediplomat.com) Magazine (https://thediplomat.com/category/a-new-japan/) A New Japan (https://thediplomat.com/category/by-other-means/) By Other Means (https://thediplomat.com/category/apac-insider/) APAC Insider (https://thediplomat.com/category/asia-life/) Asia Life (https://thediplomat.com/category/asia-scope/) Asia Scope (https://thediplomat.com/category/whats-next-china/) China, What's Next? (https://thediplomat.com/category/indian-decade/) Indian Decade (https://thediplomat.com/category/james-holmes/) James Holmes (https://thediplomat.com/category/new-emissary/) New Emissary (https://thediplomat.com/category/new-leaders-forum/) New Leaders Forum (https://thediplomat.com/category/sport-culture/) Sport & Culture (https://thediplomat.com/category/tech-biz/) Tech Biz (https://thediplomat.com/category/tokyo-notes/) Tokyo Notes (https://thediplomat.com/category/zachary-keck/) Zachary Keck The Diplomat (https://thediplomat.com/the-diplomat/) About Us (https://thediplomat.com/contact-us/) Contact Us (https://thediplomat.com/write-for-us/) Write for Us (https://thediplomat.com/about-us/advertise/) Advertise (https://thediplomat.com/syndication/) Syndicate (https://thediplomat.com/terms-of-use/) Terms of Use (https://thediplomat.com/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy (https://thediplomat.com/newsletter/) Newsletters (https://thediplomat.com/subscriptions/) Subscriptions Newsletter (https://thediplomat.com/newsletter/) Diplomat Brief Weekly Newsletter (https://thediplomat.com/feed/) (https://thediplomat.com/newsletter/) (Newsletter) (https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMIaoowwwhqCyBA) (Google News) (https://www.linkedin.com/company/thediplomat) (LinkedIn) (https://www.facebook.com/diplomatmagazine) (Facebook) (https://bsky.app/profile/thediplomat.com) (Bluesky) (https://x.com/Diplomat_APAC) (X) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmksR2jAphI96PPCwvPO02g) (YouTube) © 2026 Diplomat Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.