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ASEAN Beat
‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community.’ That’s the ASEAN motto. But what’s the reality? Our bloggers based around this diverse and strategically key region give you an insider’s perspective on politics, security and society in South-east Asia.
Some Southeast Asians Are Turning Against America Over Gaza. It Likely Won’t Last.
By David Hutt
This is not the first time that regional opinion toward the U.S. has soured over events in the Middle East.
Who Is Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s Next Prime Minister?
By Sebastian Strangio
The deputy prime minister will take over from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong next month.
Myanmar Junta Moves Aung San Suu Kyi to House Arrest
By Sebastian Strangio
A junta spokesperson said that the 78-year-old leader was relocated due to the intense heat in Myanmar's central plain.
The Perception Game: How Are China and the US Viewed in Southeast Asia?
By Rahul Mishra and Peter Brian M. Wang
The State of Southeast Asia Survey 2024 reveals ASEAN's growing polarization amid China-U.S. competition.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Step Down on May 15
By Associated Press
Lee will hand power to his deputy, Lawrence Wong, in a long-planned transition.
Myanmar’s New Taxation and Conscription Policies Are Likely to Increase Irregular Migration
By Hui Yin Chuah
It's not only the renewed conscription law – financial reforms targeting overseas workers risk forcing more and more Myanmar nationals into irregular migration.
Prabowo’s Pivot: China-Indonesia Relations After the Election
By Zhekai LI
Prabowo’s recent visit to Beijing hints at a potential recalibration of his stance on China policy.
$1.7 Billion Cambodian Canal Project Draws Increasing Scrutiny
By Sebastian Strangio
The China-backed Techo Funan Canal, which will connect the Mekong River to the country’s coast, has given rise to environmental and security concerns.
Indonesia’s Evolving Perception of China
By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
The latest survey from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute reflected the country's moderately positive, though still ambivalent, attitude towards China.
Vietnamese Court Sentences Property Tycoon to Death in Giant Fraud Case
By Sebastian Strangio
Truong My Lan was found guilty of embezzling an astonishing $12.54 billion from Saigon Commercial Bank in the decade to 2022.
The Land-Locked Thinking of Laotians
By David Hutt
While the Lao government likes to talk about becoming "land-linked," the latest ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institution survey reflects an inward-looking mentality.
Philippine President Denies Secret Agreement On South China Sea
By Sebastian Strangio
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says that he is "horrified" by the prospect that his predecessor brokered a "gentleman's agreement" with Beijing over the maritime disputes.