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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.
Presidential Election Campaign Kicks Off in the Philippines
By Mong Palatino
On May 9, 65.7 million Filipinos will go to the polls to choose who will succeed President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Counterrevolution: Marcos Jr.’s Bid for Philippine Presidency
By Richard Javad Heydarian
Three decades after returning from exile in Hawaii, the Marcos clan is on the brink of recapturing the presidential palace.
Opening of Indonesian Holocaust Museum Met With Islamist Backlash
By Sebastian Strangio
The protests against the museum in Sulawesi are a sign of the disturbing persistence of anti-Semitism in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.
Philippine Parliament Passes Law to Tackle Online Abuse, Trolling
By Sebastian Strangio
The bill would require people to divulge their real identities when setting up social media accounts.
Why Doesn’t the West Sell Weapons to Myanmar’s Anti-Junta Rebels?
By David Hutt
Whether or not direct military aid would help, Western governments should recognize that there is no going back to the status quo ante.
Cambodia Says Myanmar Junta’s FM Not Invited to Upcoming Conclave
By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement follows criticisms of Cambodia's policy of pragmatic engagement with the military administration.
Myanmar Shadow Government Drops Objections to ICJ’s Rohingya Genocide Case
By Sebastian Strangio
Assuming responsibility for the ICJ case is a means for the National Unity Government to assert its position as Myanmar's legitimate government.
Thailand-US-China Relations Amid the 2022 Cobra Gold Drill
By Tita Sanglee
Thailand's 2014 coup led to the erosion of relations with the U.S., but the balance of power is tilting back in Washington's favor.
Illicit Drug Production Has Surged Since Myanmar’s Coup
By Sebastian Strangio
The chaos that has enveloped Myanmar since the military takeover has been a gift to the country's drug trafficking syndicates.
Thai Government Releases Exiled Lao Democracy Activist on Bail
By Sebastian Strangio
But Khoukham Keomanivong's arrest on the weekend was a sign of increasing risks facing foreign dissidents in Thailand.
Marking Myanmar Coup Anniversary, Western Governments Target Judiciary With Sanctions
By Sebastian Strangio
The coordinated move follows a series of recent convictions against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Myanmar Junta Set to Pass Draconian Cyber Security Law
By Sebastian Strangio
Among the provisions is a ban on VPNs, which the population has used to circumvent state controls on social media networks like Facebook.