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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.
Timor-Leste Celebrates 25th Anniversary of UN-backed Vote for Independence
By Gantry Meilana
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres – who, while prime minster of Portugal, was heavily involved in the international effort to resolve the crisis in Timor-Leste – attended the celebrations.
Indonesian Authorities to Question President’s Son Over Private Jet Trip
By Sebastian Strangio
Kaesang Pangarep, 29, has come under fire for taking a lavish overseas trip while protests erupted on the streets of Indonesia's cities.
Recalibrating the Laos-Vietnam Special Relationship For the 21st Century
By Nguyen Thanh Giang and Nguyen The Phuong
The two neighbors share deep historical, political, and geographic affinities, but these risk being weakened by the shifting regional balance of power.
Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party Invites Former Arch-Rival to Join Coalition
By Sebastian Strangio
In the latest wild swing in Thai political allegiances, the conservative Democrat Party has been invited to join Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government.
After China, Vietnam’s New Leader To Lam Is Off To America
By David Hutt
To Lam is expected to travel next month to New York for the U.N. General Assembly, a trip that could also include meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Former Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin Charged With Sedition
By Sebastian Strangio
The former leader, who heads the opposition Perikatan Nasional coalition, allegedly criticized a former king during an election campaign speech.
Rakhine Armed Group Responsible for Rohingya Massacre, Rights Organization Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The Arakan Army's involvement in the August 5 massacre and other attacks on Rohingya civilians has raised thorny question for Myanmar's resistance movement.
Fugitive Philippine Mayor May Be Bound for Golden Triangle, Investigators Say
By Sebastian Strangio
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission claims that Alice Guo and her family "are part of a big criminal organization.”
Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party Hit With New Legal Challenges
By Sebastian Strangio
Royalist petitioners are seeking the dissolution of the party, alleging that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra is exercising an undue influence over its operations.
Indonesian Parliament and Election Body Agree to Uphold Court Rulings
By Sebastian Strangio
The country's election law will be brought into line with two Constitutional Court rulings that pro-government lawmakers attempted to overturn last week.
Chinese, Philippine Vessels Collide For Second Time at Sabina Shoal
By Sebastian Strangio
The incident comes a week after a similar encounter near the shoal, which lies 140 kilometers off the coast of the Philippines' westernmost island, Palawan.
The Eighteenth Brumaire of To Lam
By David Hutt
The newly appointed Communist Party chief has the potential to become a dictator.