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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.
Malaysian FM Calls for ‘Soul-Searching’ Over ASEAN Non-Interference
By Sebastian Strangio
Saifuddin Abdullah says the Southeast Asian bloc has to fundamentally rethink its approach to the crisis in Myanmar.
Does It Matter If Myanmar’s Junta Leader Is Banned From the ASEAN Summit?
By David Hutt
Despite uninviting Min Aung Hlaing from the summit, it remains unclear whether the Southeast Asian bloc has a longer-term plan.
US, Thailand Mull Crossborder Myanmar Aid Delivery Plan
By Sebastian Strangio
The established humanitarian presence in the region makes the Thai-Myanmar border a logical conduit for aid.
Myanmar Junta Asks Telenor Executives Not to Leave the Country
By Sebastian Strangio
The Norwegian telecoms firm is awaiting regulatory approval for the sale of its Myanmar operation.
Thailand to Cease Using Sinovac Vaccines After Supplies Are Exhausted
By Sebastian Strangio
The announcement follows queries about the efficacy of the Chinese vaccine, the world’s most widely used COVID-19 jab.
Dancing to Different Tunes: Cambodia’s False Peace
By Luke Hunt
The Paris Peace Agreements did not end the war in Cambodia.
The Nobel Peace Prize and Free Speech in the Philippines
By Mong Palatino
The awarding of the prize to pioneering journalist Maria Ressa points to the deterioration in press freedom under President Duterte.
Myanmar Junta Releases Thousands Detained for Anti-Coup Protests
By Sebastian Strangio
The move followed on the heels of ASEAN's decision to uninvite regime chief Min Aung Hlaing from its upcoming summit.
Indonesia and Malaysia Reiterate Concerns About AUKUS Pact
By Sebastian Strangio
Their statements reflect the trepidation that many Southeast Asian governments feel about rising Sino-American tensions.
Can the COVID-19 Playbook Prepare Nations For the Next Pandemic?
By Alifah Zainuddin
The fight against the coronavirus pandemic is often likened to a war, and every war needs a plan.
Myanmar Opposition Welcomes ASEAN’s Exclusion of Junta Leader
By Sebastian Strangio
The decision reflects the Southeast Asian bloc's increasing frustration with Myanmar's military administration.
Declassified Files Illuminate UK Role in Indonesian Anti-Communist Purges
By Sebastian Strangio
The U.K. ran a propaganda campaign in the mid-1960s urging that the "communist cancer be cut out of the body of the state.”