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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.
Philippine Foreign Policy After Duterte
By Richard Javad Heydarian
Notwithstanding the radically divergent positions of different candidates, structural elements will shape and constrain the strategic options of the next Filipino president.
UK Urges Myanmar’s Former Ambassador to Abandon Official Residence
By Sebastian Strangio
Correspondence obtained by the Reuters news agency reveals junta pressure to evict the pro-democracy envoy Kyaw Zwar Minn from the ambassador's residence.
Malaysia’s Grand Old Party Scores Decisive Victory in Pivotal State Election
By Sebastian Strangio
The strong showing for the Barisan Nasional coalition is expected to intensify calls for an early general election.
Cashless and Flightless, Russian Tourists Stuck in Thailand
By Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul
About 6,500 Russian tourists are stranded in southern Thailand, along with 1,000 Ukrainians.
Cambodia Told to Shut Down ‘Slave Compounds’ After Warnings From Asian Embassies
By Luke Hunt
The country's interior minister says he will end the crime wave in Sihanoukville by mid-year.
Malaysian Youth Vote in the Spotlight as Johor State Prepares for Election
By Sebastian Strangio
The election is the first to be held in Malaysia since a constitutional amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
Does Timor-Leste’s Upcoming Election Herald a More Inclusive and Progressive Democracy?
By Li-Li Chen
Next week's election will feature more female candidates than ever, but their impact on the country's patriarchal cultural norms remains to be seen.
Philippines Pledges to Back US if Ukraine Conflict Spreads to Asia
By Sebastian Strangio
President Rodrigo Duterte reportedly pledged to grant the U.S. access to the former American Subic Bay naval station and Clark Air Base.
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine Through a Burmese Lens
By Naw Theresa
Watching the war unfold in Ukraine, many members of the anti-coup resistance see clear parallels to their own struggle.
Political Party Registrations Close Ahead of Cambodian Commune Election
By Sebastian Strangio
Seventeen parties have registered to compete for 11,622 commune council positions – but only one of them stands any chance.
Cambodia Announces Postponement of Special US-ASEAN Summit
By Sebastian Strangio
The March 28-29 meeting has been delayed due to scheduling clashes with some Southeast Asian governments.
Why Are Indonesian Netizens Expressing Support for Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine?
By Sebastian Strangio
The extent of the phenomenon is unclear, but it points to an abiding skepticism of Western policies and intentions.