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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.
Myanmar Junta’s No. 2 Visits China Amid ‘Intense’ Fighting
By Sebastian Strangio
Vice-Senior Gen. Soe Win's visit comes shortly after the Three Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic armed groups resumed their offensive in Shan State.
Thailand’s Strange and Undemocratic Democracy
By Voranai Vanijaka
The kingdom’s senatorial selection is a reminder that although Thailand is no longer under a dictatorship, the dictator’s legacy continues to rule.
Philippine Military Demands $1M in Reparations From China After Maritime Clash
By Sebastian Strangio
The two sides pledged this week to de-escalate the situation after a June 17 clash at a disputed shoal in the Spratly Islands.
Malaysian Court Slaps Down Former PM Najib’s House Arrest Bid
By Sebastian Strangio
The former leader's legal team claim that the former king issued an order allowing him to finish his sentence “under condition of home arrest.”
Fighting Erupts in Myanmar’s Shan State as Armed Groups Resume Offensive
By Sebastian Strangio
The Three Brotherhood Alliance has launched the second phase of its Operation 1027 offensive, attacking regime positions across northern Shan.
The IS Resurgence in Malaysia: Assessing the Threat and Implications
By Rueben Dass
An attack in Johor, and a recent string of arrests, has once against cast a spotlight on the militant group's activities.
Cambodian Court Sentences Environmental Activists to Hefty Prison Terms
By Sebastian Strangio
The 10 activists, four of whom were arrested outside the court, are members of the group Mother Nature, which was deregistered in 2017.
Thai Constitutional Court to Conclude Key Political Cases By September
By Sebastian Strangio
The two high-profile cases could determine the fate of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and the opposition Move Forward Party.
Is Laos Planning to Sell Off More of Its Energy Sector to China?
By David Hutt
The power utility's recent curious dealings with a prominent local conglomerate suggest that something is afoot.
Foreign, Defense Ministers From Japan and the Philippines to Meet Next Week
By Sebastian Strangio
The two sides are expected to discuss a much-anticipated reciprocal access agreement that will remove hurdles to joint military exercises and deeper defense cooperation.
Thai PM Srettha Thavisin’s Approval Ratings Dip to New Low
By Sebastian Strangio
The latest NIDA survey also saw the opposition Move Forward Party extend its lead as the country's most popular party.
Southeast Asia’s Real Choices Lie Beyond the ‘Swing State’ Paradigm
By Prashanth Parameswaran
The real choices facing the region lie in specific swing sectors, rather than the aggregate U.S.-China choices of a few designated swing states.