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.
Myanmar’s Junta Is Also Losing on the Supermarket Shelves
By Luke Hunt
International financial institutions say the country's economy is stagnating. In reality, it is going backwards.
Monk’s Funeral Highlights Myanmar Army’s Delicate Relationship to Buddhist Clergy
By Grant Peck
The 78-year-old monk Bhaddanta Munindarbhivamsa was shot dead by soldiers this month. The military initially tried to pin it on anti-regime forces.
Myanmar Junta Admits ‘Challenges’ in Fighting Opium Cultivation, Meth Production
By Sebastian Strangio
The military says it stepping up its fight against narcotics, without reckoning with its own role in the recent boom in production.
How Big Is the Philippines’ Online Gambling Problem?
By Alvin Camba
Authorities say they are uncovering more illegal Philippine Online Gaming Corporations, or POGOs, but the overall size of the industry is harder to gauge.
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Mulling Senate Run
By Sebastian Strangio
After the collapse of its alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Duterte clan is planning its reconquest of the Philippine presidency in 2028.
Thailand Is the Myanmar Military’s Gateway to the Global Financial System, Report Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The country's banks have taken up the slack following a crackdown by the Singaporean authorities last year.
Can Vice President Sara Duterte Lead the Philippine Opposition?
By Mong Palatino
Following her resignation from the Cabinet, Duterte may struggle to become the focal point of a broad anti-Marcos coalition.
Philippines Says it Wants ‘Dialogue’ With China Following Maritime Clash
By Sebastian Strangio
The country's top diplomat says that the country will pursue "confidence building measures," but is "not blind" to recent incidents in the South China Sea.
US Diplomat Reportedly Met Myanmar Naval Officer in Vietnam
By Sebastian Strangio
The meeting between Daniel Kritenbrink and Kyaw Lin Zaw may mark a shift in the U.S. approach to Myanmar's conflict.
A Seasoned Diplomat For Phnom Penh
By Sribala Subramanian
China sends Wang Wenbin, a former MFA spokesperson, to a strategically important Southeast Asian capital.
Conflict in Myanmar Paves the Way for a New Way of Democracy
By Tamas Wells, Soe Htet, and Michael Breen
The 2021 overthrow of the democratically elected government of Myanmar and the ensuing civil conflict have unlocked new ways of imagining its political future.
Malaysia, Vietnam Upgraded Again in US Government’s Human Trafficking Report
By Sebastian Strangio
This year's TIP report also reflected the explosion of online scam operations that have involved human trafficking on a massive scale.