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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.
November 22, 2022
Kamala Harris Says US Commitment to Philippines ‘Unwavering’
By Sebastian Strangio
The U.S. vice president's visit to the Philippines has seemingly closed the book on the problems and tensions of the Rodrigo Duterte era.
November 22, 2022
Indonesian Quake Kills at Least 162 and Injures Hundreds
By Firman Taufiq and Edna Tarigan
A magnitude 5.6 quake shook Cianjur in West Java province in the late afternoon.
November 21, 2022
US Vice President Arrives in Philippines to Affirm Security Ties
By Sebastian Strangio
Kamala Harris is the highest-ranking Biden administration official to visit the country, marking a revival of ties after the tensions of the Duterte years.
November 21, 2022
Philippines Assures UN that it Upholds Human Rights
By Mong Palatino
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla denied the claims that the country is plagued by a "culture of impunity."
November 21, 2022
Malay Nationalist Bloc on Brink of Power in Malaysia After Indecisive Election
By Sebastian Strangio
After a surprise return at Saturday's election, Muhyiddin Yassin's Perikatan Nasional coalition is in the box seat to form the next government.
November 18, 2022
A New Era of Thailand-France Relations?
By Tita Sanglee
The two nations, which share a troubled history, find themselves in increasing alignment on the pressing strategic questions of the day.
November 18, 2022
Cambodian Forestry Official Arrested in US Over Alleged Monkey-Smuggling Scheme
By Sebastian Strangio
Masphal Kry, a Cambodian forestry official, and seven others have been charged with conspiring to illegally export long-tailed macaques to the United States.
November 18, 2022
Why Was the Iranian Navy in Jakarta?
By Patrick Dupont
Indonesia's growing ties with Iran and other Middle Eastern states offer a good illustration of its "free and active" foreign policy tradition.
November 17, 2022
Myanmar Junta Releases High-Profile Foreign Prisoners in Mass Amnesty
By Sebastian Strangio
The release of Australian economist Sean Turnell and three other foreigners is a likely attempt to preempt ASEAN's growing frustration with the coup government.
November 17, 2022
Jokowi Says Indonesia Will Bid to Host 2036 Olympics in New Capital
By Sebastian Strangio
Like the new capital project, the bid reflects the Indonesian leader's ambition to leave a lasting impression on his country.
November 17, 2022
Why the Current Stall in US-Vietnam Relations is Necessary for Vietnam’s Security
By Khang Vu
As has been the case for much of history, stable, manageable relations with China form the foundation of the country's foreign policy.
November 16, 2022
Philippines Registers ‘Sharpest Ever’ Decline in Birthrate
By Sebastian Strangio
The Catholic-majority country now has a birthrate of just 1.9 children per adult woman, the third-lowest in Southeast Asia.