The Bomb Was Horrifying. The Alternatives Would Have Been Worse.
Historical records show that dropping atomic bombs was the least bad option.
List of Malaysia articles
![Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pose for group photos during the 15th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Summit, occurring on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on May 11.]()
Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pose for group photos during the 15th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Summit, occurring on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on May 11.
The Indo-Pacific Has Already Chosen Door No. 3
So-called fence-sitters are rejecting zero-sum geopolitical binaries in favor of multi-alignment.
![Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announces new cabinet members.]()
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announces new cabinet members.
Anwar Ibrahim Finally Won Malaysia’s Worst Job
The new prime minister has a grueling task ahead of him.
![Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim greets supporters.]()
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim greets supporters.
There Are No Easy Choices for Malaysians at the Ballot Box
A messy array of politicians and parties are competing to win the election—and avoid jail.
![The High Court in Malaysia]()
The High Court in Malaysia
Malaysia’s Sexist Citizenship Law Is Keeping Families Apart
Malaysian mothers can’t automatically pass on their nationality to foreign-born children. The pandemic has worsened the law’s ill effects.
![Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim waves to his supporters outside the headquarters of the People's Justice Party (PKR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 1, 2020]()
Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim waves to his supporters outside the headquarters of the People's Justice Party (PKR) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 1, 2020
Will It Ever Be Anwar Ibrahim’s Turn?
At 73, Malaysia’s embattled opposition leader has had the top job snatched away from him every time.
![In a photo released by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense on May 11, 2018, a Taiwanese Air Force fighter jet flies near a Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force bomber that reportedly flew over the Luzon Strait south of Taiwan during an exercise.]()
In a photo released by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense on May 11, 2018, a Taiwanese Air Force fighter jet flies near a Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force bomber that reportedly flew over the Luzon Strait south of Taiwan during an exercise.
Beijing’s Welcome Gift to Biden: More Threats and Tensions
If China is seeking a reset of relations, it has a strange way of showing it.
![The Cayman Island-registered vessel Equanimity, owned by rogue Malaysian financier Jho Low,, is pictured at Benoa harbour on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on April 13, 2018.]()
The Cayman Island-registered vessel Equanimity, owned by rogue Malaysian financier Jho Low,, is pictured at Benoa harbour on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on April 13, 2018.
Trumpworld’s Corruption Is as Globalized as the Ultra-Rich the President Mingles With
Elliott Broidy and others are connected to globe-spanning scandals.
![JON BENEDICT ILLUSTRATION FOR FOREIGN POLICY/GETTY IMAGES]()
JON BENEDICT ILLUSTRATION FOR FOREIGN POLICY/GETTY IMAGES
Najib’s Dirty Money
Is the guilty verdict in the prime minister’s corruption trial a sign of hope or business as usual?
![Coronavirus Health Checks Malaysia]()
Coronavirus Health Checks Malaysia
Malaysia’s Coronavirus Scapegoats
Undocumented migrants and refugees are caught in the crossfire of Malaysia’s coronavirus response and a xenophobic backlash.
![Coronavirus Misinformation Arrests in Indonesia]()
Coronavirus Misinformation Arrests in Indonesia
Coronavirus ‘Fake News’ Arrests Are Quieting Critics
In Southeast Asia, the coronavirus pandemic has provided a handy excuse for a clampdown on free speech.
![A Great Wall 236 submarine of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy in the sea near Qingdao, China, on April 23, 2019.]()
A Great Wall 236 submarine of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy in the sea near Qingdao, China, on April 23, 2019.
Under Cover of Pandemic, China Steps Up Brinkmanship in South China Sea
Beijing has increased pressure on its nervous neighbors in its quest to dominate the entire South China Sea.
![The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning participates in a naval parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's PLA Navy in the sea near Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province, on April 23, 2019.]()
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning participates in a naval parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's PLA Navy in the sea near Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province, on April 23, 2019.
U.S. Naval Standoff With China Fails to Reassure Regional Allies
The tense encounter around a Malaysian drillship drew in five navies.
![Malaysian police officers stop vehicles at a roadblock]()
Malaysian police officers stop vehicles at a roadblock
Malaysia’s Preventable Coronavirus Disaster
The country’s newest leaders should have jumped into action immediately. Instead, they wasted precious weeks jockeying over cabinet positions.
![Mahathir Mohamad looks on as he leaves the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 24.]()
Mahathir Mohamad looks on as he leaves the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 24.
Malaysia’s Geriatric Palace Intrigues Are Causing Political Turmoil
94-year-old Mahathir Mohamad has betrayed his 72-year-old successor Anwar Ibrahim. Again.
![Eliot Higgins in December 2018. (Claudia Leisinger for Foreign Policy)]()
Eliot Higgins in December 2018. (Claudia Leisinger for Foreign Policy)
How Citizen Journalists Solved the Mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
On the podcast: The founder of the group Bellingcat on using open sources to investigate war crimes and abuses.
![Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the welcome ceremony for the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on May 15, 2017. (Kenzaburo Fukuhara-Pool/Getty Images)]()
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the welcome ceremony for the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on May 15, 2017. (Kenzaburo Fukuhara-Pool/Getty Images)
The Belt and Road Initiative Is a Corruption Bonanza
Despots and crooks are using China’s infrastructure project to stay in power—with Beijing's help.
![A Japanese soldier walks past amphibious assault vehicles during an amphibious landing exercise at the beach of the navy training center in Zambales province, north of Manila, as a part of a joint military exercise with the United States and the Philippines on Oct. 6. (Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images)]()
A Japanese soldier walks past amphibious assault vehicles during an amphibious landing exercise at the beach of the navy training center in Zambales province, north of Manila, as a part of a joint military exercise with the United States and the Philippines on Oct. 6. (Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images)
The Quad Is Not Enough
Trump has revived a four-way security dialogue among the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, but if it's going to make China pay attention, it will need some new members.
![Islamic Research Foundation President Zakir Naik delivers a speech at a conference in Istanbul on March 23, 2017. (Salih Zeki Fazlioglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)]()
Islamic Research Foundation President Zakir Naik delivers a speech at a conference in Istanbul on March 23, 2017. (Salih Zeki Fazlioglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Malaysia Can’t Decide if Zakir Naik Is a Preacher or a Terrorist
The fiery Muslim teacher is wanted back home in India, but Malaysia won’t give him up.
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The Indo-Pacific Has Already Chosen Door No. 3
So-called fence-sitters are rejecting zero-sum geopolitical binaries in favor of multi-alignment.
Anwar Ibrahim Finally Won Malaysia’s Worst Job
The new prime minister has a grueling task ahead of him.
There Are No Easy Choices for Malaysians at the Ballot Box
A messy array of politicians and parties are competing to win the election—and avoid jail.
Malaysia’s Sexist Citizenship Law Is Keeping Families Apart
Malaysian mothers can’t automatically pass on their nationality to foreign-born children. The pandemic has worsened the law’s ill effects.
Will It Ever Be Anwar Ibrahim’s Turn?
At 73, Malaysia’s embattled opposition leader has had the top job snatched away from him every time.
Beijing’s Welcome Gift to Biden: More Threats and Tensions
If China is seeking a reset of relations, it has a strange way of showing it.
Trumpworld’s Corruption Is as Globalized as the Ultra-Rich the President Mingles With
Elliott Broidy and others are connected to globe-spanning scandals.
Najib’s Dirty Money
Is the guilty verdict in the prime minister’s corruption trial a sign of hope or business as usual?
Malaysia’s Coronavirus Scapegoats
Undocumented migrants and refugees are caught in the crossfire of Malaysia’s coronavirus response and a xenophobic backlash.
Coronavirus ‘Fake News’ Arrests Are Quieting Critics
In Southeast Asia, the coronavirus pandemic has provided a handy excuse for a clampdown on free speech.
Under Cover of Pandemic, China Steps Up Brinkmanship in South China Sea
Beijing has increased pressure on its nervous neighbors in its quest to dominate the entire South China Sea.
U.S. Naval Standoff With China Fails to Reassure Regional Allies
The tense encounter around a Malaysian drillship drew in five navies.
Malaysia’s Preventable Coronavirus Disaster
The country’s newest leaders should have jumped into action immediately. Instead, they wasted precious weeks jockeying over cabinet positions.
Malaysia’s Geriatric Palace Intrigues Are Causing Political Turmoil
94-year-old Mahathir Mohamad has betrayed his 72-year-old successor Anwar Ibrahim. Again.
How Citizen Journalists Solved the Mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
On the podcast: The founder of the group Bellingcat on using open sources to investigate war crimes and abuses.
The Belt and Road Initiative Is a Corruption Bonanza
Despots and crooks are using China’s infrastructure project to stay in power—with Beijing's help.
The Quad Is Not Enough
Trump has revived a four-way security dialogue among the United States, India, Australia, and Japan, but if it's going to make China pay attention, it will need some new members.
Malaysia Can’t Decide if Zakir Naik Is a Preacher or a Terrorist
The fiery Muslim teacher is wanted back home in India, but Malaysia won’t give him up.
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