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.
Malaysian Youth Party Defects From Ruling Coalition Over Corruption Cases
By Sebastian Strangio
The defection has deprived Anwar Ibrahim's government of its two-thirds parliamentary majority in Parliament.
Srettha’s First Foreign Policy Mistake: Passing on the ASEAN Summit
By Mark S. Cogan
Thailand's new prime minister prioritized domestic political duties over attending to the troubled regional organization.
A New Era Is Dawning in US-Vietnam Relations
By Jonathan D. London
The coming upgrade of the bilateral relationship between Washington and Hanoi is a milestone for the region – and the world.
ASEAN Summits Highlight Familiar Shortcomings
By Sebastian Strangio
The bloc managed to adopt stronger language on the conflict in Myanmar, but remains adrift in the South China Sea.
Press Watchdogs Condemn Myanmar Photojournalist’s ‘Grotesque’ Imprisonment
By Sebastian Strangio
Photographer Sai Zaw Thaike was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the harshest term handed down against any journalist since the 2021 coup.
Why the Philippines Needs to Work With the Pacific Island Nations
By Rej Cortez Torrecampo and Karla S. Cruz
In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, Manila has good reasons to develop relations with other archipelagic states, including those to its south and east.
Indonesian Money Laundering Case Harks Back To Asian Financial Crisis
By Aisyah Llewellyn
In Indonesia, money laundering is hard to prosecute. But in the case against disgraced tax official Rafael Alun Trisambodo, prosecutors have seemingly found an open and shut case.
Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship Could Make or Break the Bloc
By Virdika Rizky Utama
During its year at the helm, Jakarta has an opportunity to reset the trajectory for itself and the entire ASEAN bloc.
New Thai Government Readies Populist Economic Measures
By Sebastian Strangio
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is expected to announce a range of inducements, including debt moratoriums and energy subsidies.
Chinese Premier Seeks to Calm South China Sea Concerns
By Sebastian Strangio
During a meeting with ASEAN counterparts, Li Qiang implied that China and rival claimants could address outstanding disputes without the involvement of outside powers.
ASEAN Tweaks Its Approach Toward Military-Ruled Myanmar
By Sebastian Strangio
The Southeast Asian bloc has taken a number of small but important steps forward in its handling of the country's crisis.
Thailand’s New Government Takes Office After Being Sworn-in
By Sebastian Strangio
As a product of political compromise, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's cabinet contains a number of familiar faces.
Singapore’s New President Does Not Imply a Mandate for the PAP
By Kazimier Lim
Tharman Shanmugaratnam's landslide victory may seem like an endorsement of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), but is better seen as a reflection of his personal popularity.
Military-Ruled Myanmar Won’t Be Allowed to Lead ASEAN in 2026
By Niniek Karmini and Jim Gomez
Myanmar's top generals were again barred from attending this year's summit, and now the decision has been made to retract their hosting privileges for 2026.
The Post-Coup Rise of Myanmar’s Ta’ang National Liberation Army
By Sebastian Strangio
Since the coup, the TNLA has become central to the fluid conflict dynamics of northern Shan State, according to a new report.
Malaysian Court Dismisses 47 Corruption Charges Against Key Anwar Ally
By Sebastian Strangio
The dismissal of the case against Deputy PM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has again called into question Anwar's anti-corruption credentials.
Why Timor-Leste Decided to Take a Stand on Myanmar
By Li-Li Chen
Southeast Asia's youngest nation is advocating for a plural and just order in the region, even at the cost of its long-sought accession to ASEAN.
Southeast Asian Leaders Face Thorny Issues Ahead of ASEAN Summit
By Niniek Karmini and Edna Tarigan
The Southeast Asian bloc faces a host of pressing challenges, from the crisis in Myanmar to the growing frictions in the South China Sea.
Homecoming in Thailand
By Sribala Subramanian
The King’s estranged son visits Bangkok shortly before a dramatic realignment in Thai politics.
Indonesia’s Anies Baswedan Picks Head of Islamic Party as Presidential Running Mate
By Sebastian Strangio
The former Jakarta governor has announced that he will team up with Muhaimin Iskandar of PKB, the country's largest Islamic party.
ASEAN Meetings to Open Amid Growing South China Sea Tensions
By Sebastian Strangio
The maritime and territorial disputes with China are once again at the top of the Southeast Asian bloc's agenda.
Philippines Suspends New Travel Rules Amid Public Outcry
By Mong Palatino
Migrant workers and others argue that the rules, intended to eliminate human trafficking, have hampered the ability of Filipinos to travel freely.
Thailand’s King Reduces Prison Term of Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to 1 Year
By Associated Press
It is widely believed that Thaksin returned out of hope that a new government friendly to him would reduce his sentence, and that he may have made a deal with authorities.
Indonesia’s New Capital Must Learn From Jakarta’s Hideous Pollution Problem
By Michael Suryaprawira and Vivid Amalia Khusna
There are measures that the government can take to avoid the smog that periodically blankets the center of the capital.