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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.
Who Comes After Aung San Suu Kyi?
By Rhys Thompson
How the NLD’s lack of succession planning risks creating political instability in Myanmar.
What’s Next for Indonesia’s Shipbuilding Ambitions in 2018?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Though new targets offer promise, achieving them will require addressing old challenges.
Duterte’s Media War in the Philippines Highlights ASEAN’s Rights Problem
By Luke Hunt
The effort to ban online news outlet Rappler is sadly an all too familiar story in the region.
Politics in Indonesia: It’s Business As Usual
By Muhammad Beni Saputra
Indonesian elections are plagued by business dealings colored as politics.
What Did the Laos-Cambodia Security Meeting Achieve?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
The interaction highlights ongoing efforts by both sides to manage contentious issues.
Will #SpoiltVote Impact Malaysia’s Upcoming General Election?
By Khoo Ying Hooi
Dissatisfied with the BN and the opposition, some are calling for votes to sit out the 2018 elections.
What Does Mattis’ ASEAN Trip Say About Trump’s Asia Policy?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Amid his stops in Indonesia and Vietnam, questions remain over the direction of the Trump administration's Asia policy.
Will Duterte’s ‘Cha-Cha’ Train Lead to Dictatorship in the Philippines?
By Mong Palatino
Recent moves have raised some troubling questions about the country’s drift to authoritarianism under a strongman's rule.
Cambodia’s Special Relationship With India
By Sao Phal Niseiy
Strong ties developed during the Cold War can expand even further under Modi's Act East Policy.
Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change in Vietnam
By Madeline Brennan
Climate change threatens Vietnam's economic transformation. Quick action could prevent the worst of the damage.
What’s Behind the Demise of Vietnam’s 'Captain Sidewalk'?
By Erin Cook
A closer look at a telling development and what it means for the Southeast Asian state.
What Does Myanmar’s 'Biggest Ever' Drug Bust Actually Mean?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
Though the record seizure deserves mention, focus on such developments also obscures the massive scale of the problem.