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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.
How the Coup Shattered the Image of Myanmar’s Military
By Tun Myint
The Tatmadaw has slid from a repressive to a repugnant institution in public opinion.
Thailand’s New Deep South Airport: Dead on Arrival?
By Tita Sanglee
A new airport in Betong is supposed to spark development in Thailand's troubled south, but practical considerations limit its potential.
Old Challenges Loom Over Southern Thailand’s New Peace Talks
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Building on the recent successes of fresh negotiations will depend on both sides overcoming decades-old difficulties.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Consider Expanding Sulu Sea Trilateral Patrols
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Ongoing efforts to further develop the minilateral mechanism bear close watching, despite lingering challenges.
Timor-Leste Chooses President in Runoff Amid Political Feud
By Associated Press
Preliminary results for in the race between two former independence fighters, and bitter rivals, may not be known until Wednesday.
Myanmar’s Military Chief Pardons Prisoners to Mark Holiday
By Grant Peck
While around 1,600 prisoners have been freed, political detainees were not among those released.
Myanmar the Third-Largest Jailer of Writers in the World, Report Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The military coup and ensuing crackdown on dissent has snapped shut the limited openness of Myanmar's decade of reform.
Police Rescue 66 Thai Nationals from Scam Call Centers in Cambodia
By Sebastian Strangio
The joint police operation offered the latest evidence of an organized crime racket that spans the Mekong region.
Strife in Myanmar Curbs Traditional New Year Celebrations
By Grant Peck
The coronavirus pandemic curbed celebrations for the past two years, and the military’s ouster of the elected government last year further smothered the holiday spirit.
Rohingya Militant Group Targeting Malaysia-Based Refugees with Online Campaign
By Jasminder Singh and J. Fernando
There is mounting evidence that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army is targeting the Rohingyas in Malaysia with radicalizing propaganda.
Myanmar’s Garment Workers Are Caught Between COVID-19 and the Coup
By Meghan Sullivan
After rapid growth in the garment sector during the country's period of opening, workers face a host of political and economic challenges.
Indonesian Parliament Passes Long-Awaited Sexual Violence Bill
By Sebastian Strangio
The passage of the law, which had languished in the legislature since 2016, follows a series of high-profile rape cases that have stoked public anger.