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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.
Communist Party Directive Takes Aim At ‘Hostile Forces’ in Vietnam
By Sebastian Strangio
Directive 24 calls on the Party to counter the influence of "hostile and reactionary forces" taking advantage of the country's increased openness to the outside world.
Myanmar Military, Resistance Alliance Sign China-Brokered Agreement
By Sebastian Strangio
The two sides have promised to pull back forces from frontline positions and safeguard Chinese interests in northern Shan State.
Indonesia-Middle East Relations Set to Bloom Under Prabowo
By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat
The former general, who spent time in voluntary exile in Jordan, is poised to build on the progress made by President Joko Widodo.
Thailand to Ban Recreational Marijuana Use By Year’s End, Minister Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The move comes less than two years after the Thai government became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize the cultivation and consumption of marijuana.
What to Expect From the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit
By Sebastian Strangio
The March 4-6 summit seeks to build on the progress that has taken place in ASEAN-Australia relations under Prime Minister Albanese's Labor government.
Indonesia’s Jokowi Confers Honorary Promotion On Likely Successor
By Sebastian Strangio
The promotion of Prabowo Subianto to the rank of four-star general has drawn further attention to his controversial military career under Suharto's New Order regime.
Philippine Lawmaker Demands Answers From Singapore Over Reported Taylor Swift Deal
By Sebastian Strangio
Rep. Joey Salceda claims that Singapore's alleged exclusivity arrangement with the pop icon's promoter "runs contrary" to ASEAN's consensus-based relations.
Malaysia to Sign Free Trade Pact with UAE in June, Official Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The country is on track to becoming the fifth nation, and the third in Southeast Asia, to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Abu Dhabi.
Why Are Southeast Asia’s Young Voters Turning to Illiberal Populists?
By Imran Said and Alexander Berghaus
Recent elections have upended the assumption that young people are inherently more progressive than their elders.
Indonesia’s PDI-P Says That It Will Seek Election Investigation
By Sebastian Strangio
A senior party official says that the election, which was won decisively by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, was tainted by “abuse of power."
Cambodia’s Buddhist Great Supreme Patriarch Dies, Aged 92
By Sebastian Strangio
Tep Vong, who helped revive Buddhism after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, had close and long-standing connections to the ruling Cambodian People's Party.
Cambodia’s Opposition Needs to Take a Sabbatical
By David Hutt
Opposition parties should take a page out of the ruling CPP's book and begin a process of generational renewal.