Blog
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.
June 24, 2020
Singapore PM’s Brother Joins Opposition Party Ahead of Polls
By Associated Press
Lee Hsien Yang, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's estranged brother, joined an opposition party but declined to say whether he’d run in the July 10 polls.
June 24, 2020
Singapore Leader Calls Early Elections Despite Pandemic
By Associated Press
The July 10 polls will likely be the swan song for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
June 23, 2020
How Are Indonesia’s Terrorist Groups Weathering the Pandemic?
By Zachary Abuza and Alif Satria
A group’s ability to exploit the pandemic is confined by their existing structure and resiliency.
June 22, 2020
Thai Army Whistleblower Accused of Abandoning Post Gets Bail
By Associated Press
Sgt. Narongchai tried to expose corruption in his unit via official channels and his career suffered. He later fled his unit in fear for his life after reporting once again.
June 22, 2020
Vietnam Ratifies EU Free Trade Agreement, What’s Next?
By Thoi Nguyen
Hopes are high that the EVFTA will have a big impact.
June 20, 2020
Making Sense of Indonesia’s Economic Diplomacy
By Moch Faisal Karim
Looking back at the country’s at-time contradictory approach to multilateral trade governance.
June 19, 2020
Leveraging Vietnam’s COVID-19 Success
By Trien Vinh Le and Huy Quynh Nguyen
Vietnam’s success in containing COVID-19 provides a chance to to use earned legitimacy as a springboard to reforms.
June 19, 2020
Indonesia’s Intelligence Service is Coming Out to Counter COVID-19
By Tangguh Chairil
BIN is extending their role outside what a covert agency is supposed to do
June 18, 2020
Indonesia’s Parliament Mulls Controversial Electoral Reforms
By Marcus Tantau
Amid Indonesia’s struggle against COVID-19, a number of political parties are attempting to reform the country’s electoral system ahead of the 2024 legislative elections.
June 17, 2020
Indonesia Jails 7 Papua Anti-Racism Activists for Treason
By Associated Press
The seven had participated in protests last year, during which they called for a referendum on Papuan independence.
June 16, 2020
Rappler Journalists Convicted of Libel in Chilling Verdict for Philippine Press Freedom
By Nick Aspinwall
Domestic and international watchdogs condemned the verdict, which may put countless local journalists and internet users at risk of charges they cannot fight.
June 16, 2020
Plight of Rohingyas Under COVID-19 Spotlights ASEAN’s Failure
By Nor Arlene Tan
Amid the pandemic and global economic chaos, the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis in Southeast Asia has quietly been swept under a rug.