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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.
September 23, 2020
Facebook Shuts Down Fake China-Based Accounts Backing Duterte
By Sebastian Strangio
The accounts beamed out content supportive of the Philippine president and his daughter's possible presidential aspirations.
September 23, 2020
Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Plans New Government
By Associated Press
Anwar says he will reveal more details following a meeting with the king, but a cabinet member denies the government has fallen.
September 23, 2020
In UN Speech, Duterte Stiffens Philippines’ Stance on the South China Sea
By Sebastian Strangio
After four years of flip-flopping, the Philippine President voiced strong support for a Hague ruling rejecting most of China’s claims to disputed waters.
September 22, 2020
The Riddle of COVID-19 and Democracy in Southeast Asia
By Sebastian Strangio
How much should we read into the fact that the region’s most robust democracies have fared the worst from the coronavirus? Probably not a lot.
September 22, 2020
With New Arrest, Cambodia’s Permanent Crackdown Intensifies
By Sebastian Strangio
Amid the economic fallout from COVID-19, Hun Sen's government has succeeded in keeping a lid on rising public discontent—but for how much longer?
September 21, 2020
EU Threatens Philippine Trade Perks Over Rights Abuses
By Sebastian Strangio
The European Parliament has called for the suspension of duty-free privileges pending a "substantial improvement" in the country's human rights situation.
September 21, 2020
In Bangkok, Protests Again Take Aim at the Monarchy
By Sebastian Strangio
The weekend's demonstrations indicate that the momentum for political reform is unlikely to dissipate any time soon.
September 21, 2020
Rodrigo Duterte: The Weak Strongman of the Philippines
By Mong Palatino
Mounting concerns about the Philippine President's health threaten to play into elections due in 2022.
September 18, 2020
LGBT Community Targeted by Police in Indonesia
By Joshua Mcdonald
Homosexuality is legal in most of Indonesia, but attacks on the community have been on the rise in recent years.
September 18, 2020
In Southeast Asia, COVID-19 Slowly Tightens Its Grip
By Sebastian Strangio
After weathering the early stages of the pandemic, several Southeast Asian nations are in the midst of worrying spikes of COVID-19.
September 17, 2020
Parsing Washington’s Latest Cambodia Sanctions
By David Hutt
Treasury's listing of the Chinese-owned Union Development Group has reignited rumors that Beijing is eyeing a military presence on Cambodia's coast.
September 17, 2020
Singaporean Earns Temporary Reprieve in Capital Drug Case
By Sebastian Strangio
But for those opposing the death penalty in Singapore, the decision marks just one tiny step toward abolition.
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