Richard Javad Heydarian

Biography
Publications

Richard Javad Heydarian is a Manila-based columnist, academic, and author. He has written for the world’s leading publications, including The New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Foreign Affairs, and is a regular contributor to Aljazeera English, Nikkei Asian Review, South China Morning Post, and the Straits Times. His latest books include Asia’s New Battlefield (Zed, 2015), The Rise of Duterte: A Populist Revolt against Elite Democracy (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017) and The Indo-Pacific: Trump, China, and the New Global Struggle for Mastery (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019). He is also a regular contributor to leading global think tanks such as Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Brooking Institution, and Council on Foreign Relations.

South China Sea: The “transparency initiative” success is plain to see
South China Sea: The “transparency initiative” success is plain to see
But pressure on the Philippines means that its key partners must step up more.
Philippines-Japan security pact puts China on notice
Philippines-Japan security pact puts China on notice
Though both nations recognise the indispensability of Washington, they are also hedging against future uncertainties.
“Squad” goals: Consolidating the new quadrilateral partnership
“Squad” goals: Consolidating the new quadrilateral partnership
With China flexing its muscle in the South China Sea, a revised grouping that includes the Philippines strikes a new balance.
Balikatan 2024: Philippines and friends send a clear signal to China
Balikatan 2024: Philippines and friends send a clear signal to China
Drills will for the first time take place outside of the Philippines’ 12 nautical miles “territorial waters”, thus directly challenging China’s expansive claims across the South…
A wave of US trilaterals sends a clear message to China
A wave of US trilaterals sends a clear message to China
Revamped security groupings led by Washington, including with Manila and Tokyo, are the new normal.
Japan in the shadow of China
Japan in the shadow of China
And it’s not just Beijing – the Japanese strategic elite is understandably anxious about the future of its alliance with America.
South China Sea: A formula for the Philippines
South China Sea: A formula for the Philippines
Manila should adopt a three-pronged response to Beijing's assertiveness.
Manila’s killing fields: Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on the poor
Manila’s killing fields: Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on the poor
It’s best to not only take populists seriously, but also literally, especially when they threaten mass murder.
Japan’s new golden age in Southeast Asia
Japan’s new golden age in Southeast Asia
Tokyo’s recent geopolitical assertiveness cements its position as a regional security and economic powerhouse.
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