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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.
Thailand Raises COVID-19 Alert Level as Neighbors Brace for Omicron Surge
By Sebastian Strangio
The fast-spreading coronavirus variant is clouding the region's economic recovery.
Duterte Says He Will ‘Never Apologize’ for Drug War Deaths
By Sebastian Strangio
The Philippine leader's war on narcotics is perhaps the only policy that he has carried through consistently since his election in 2016.
Indonesian Prosecutors Seek Life for Bali Bombing Suspect
By Niniek Karmini
Laywers for Aris Sumarsono, alias Zulkarnaen, claim he was aware of the bombing but did not participate in the operation.
Uncertainty, Criticism Ahead of Hun Sen’s Myanmar Visit
By Sebastian Strangio
The Cambodian leader has opted for direct talks with the country's coup leader Min Aung Hlaing.
Prayut’s Popularity Plunges Further, But the Thai Public Can’t Name a Better Option
By Tita Sanglee
Despite boasting approval ratings of just 16 percent, the Thai prime minister's tenure seems set to drag on.
Thailand Wrestles With Omicron Variant Amid Holiday Spikes
By Sebastian Strangio
Health authorities have recommended that the suspension of a quarantine-free travel scheme be extended until January 31.
15 Arrested at Casino Worker Strike in Cambodia’s Capital
By Sebastian Strangio
The government and its social media operatives have painted the strike as a foreign-directed plot.
Cambodia’s Hun Sen Moves Ahead on Shoring Up Son’s Leadership Prospects
By Luke Hunt
The leader tipped his grandson to serve as prime minister in the 2030s.
ASEAN and Myanmar: Crisis and Opportunity
By SUKEGAWA Seiya
The regional bloc must use the situation in Myanmar to bolster its capabilities.
Myanmar Junta Orders Judges to Ignore Correspondence From International Courts
By Sebastian Strangio
A leaked memo offers some insight into how the military administration views the advancing criminal cases against its top leaders.
Indonesian Foreign Policy in 2021: The Year in Review
By Noto Suoneto
From Myanmar to the Natuna Islands, Jakarta's foreign policymakers had their hands full this year.
Indonesia Records First Local Transmission of Omicron Variant
By Sebastian Strangio
The arrival of the fast-spreading strain of COVID-19 threatens to unwind months of progress in containing the virus.