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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 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.
UN Special Rapporteur Calls for ‘New Year’s Ceasefire’ in Myanmar
By Sebastian Strangio
But given the asymmetry of forces on the ground, any ceasefire would likely play into the military junta's hands.
Cambodian Environmental Group Suspends Operations Amid Court Cases
By Luke Hunt
Prime Minister Hun Sen again orders the military to act against "color revolutions."
Following Outcry, Indonesia Allows Rohingya Refugee Boat to Land
By Sebastian Strangio
The authorities had initially planned to push back the boat, which was carrying around 120 people, into international waters.
The Philippines in 2021: Duterte’s Flip-Flops and Women Holding the Line
By Mong Palatino
The past year has reflected the tendencies and eccentricities that marked Rodrigo Duterte's first five years in power.
Uneven Refugee Protections Across Southeast Asia Put Migrants at Risk
By Estey Chen
Only three of the region's nations have signed the relevant U.N. conventions on refugees and asylum seekers.