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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.
Thai Opposition Figure Charged With Royal Defamation, Cyber Crimes
By Sebastian Strangio
The head of the disbanded Future Forward Party criticized the government for contracting a royal-owned firm to supply COVID-19 vaccines.
Revisiting the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor After the Coup
By Amara Thiha
The military coup of February 2021 has opened up new avenues of collaboration between Myanmar and China.
Duterte, Xi Talk South China Sea in Virtual Summit
By Sebastian Strangio
The call forms a neat bookend to Duterte's six years of controversial rapprochement with China.
Cambodia Rescues 16 Trafficked Malaysians, Others Still Held Captive
By Luke Hunt
The move came after the Malaysian ambassador wrote to the national police chief to ask for assistance.
Indonesia’s Jokowi Denies Plan to Extend His Term Beyond 2024
By Sebastian Strangio
In recent months, senior politicians have made controversial proposals to extend the Indonesian leader's tenure.
Anti-Junta Forces Shoot Deputy Governor of Myanmar’s Central Bank
By Sebastian Strangio
Credit for the attack was later claimed by a civilian anti-regime militia calling itself the Yangon Region Military Command.
Beyond Infrastructure: Chinese Capital in the Philippines Under Duterte
By Alvin Camba and Rongchen Jiang
While few large Chinese infrastructure projects have eventuated under the current administration, the country has been awash in Chinese money.
Japan, Philippines Agree to Boost Security Cooperation
By Sebastian Strangio
Shared concerns about China's maritime assertiveness have driven a steady strategic convergence between Tokyo and Manila.
Poll Shows Robredo Closing the Gap on Marcos in Philippines Presidential Race
By Sebastian Strangio
Despite a slight loss of support, Marcos still enjoys an apparently unassailable 32-point lead over his main rival.
What the Drama Surrounding Thai Army TV Says About Thai Foreign Policy
By Tita Sanglee
Channel 5's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war reflects the close relationship between Thailand's media and its foreign policy.
Southeast Asia’s Leaders Are the Right Age
By David Hutt
The region's recent history furnishes little evidence of a correlation between a leader's youthfulness and their political worldview.
Indonesia Jails Activist Lawyer Over Islamic Radicalism
By Associated Press
Munarman, a former human rights lawyer, was the general secretary of the now-banned Islamic Defenders Front.