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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.
Smoke and Heat: Breaking Records in Southeast Asia
By Luke Hunt
The long-range forecasts paint a bleak, hot outlook, with suffocating heat and smoky air across Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
Lèse-majesté Abolition Push Is Gaining Ground in Thailand
By David Hutt
In the May election, a significant number of Thais are expected to vote for a party that has spoken about the need to reform – or even abolish – the lèse-majesté law.
Is a US-Vietnam Strategic Partnership Likely to Happen Soon?
By Huynh Tam Sang and Vo Thi Thuy An
Despite auspicious diplomatic recent developments, an upgrade of the bilateral relationship remains unlikely, at least for now.
Cambodia’s Deja Vu Politics Reflect the Limits of Western Power
By Chhengpor Aun
The result of July's election is largely a foregone conclusion, but serious retaliation from Western governments is unlikely.
Singapore to Resume Executions After 6-month Break
By Associated Press
Critics say that Singapore's death penalty has mostly snared low-level mules and done little to stop drug traffickers and organized syndicates.
Thailand: An Outlier in Asia on Guns
By Sribala Subramanian
The nation has an unabashed and deep-rooted love of firearms.
Indonesia Confirms 3 More Troops Killed in Papua Ambush
By Sebastian Strangio
The attack came as a unit of soldiers attempted to search for a New Zealand pilot captured by Papuan separatists in February.
Thailand’s General Election: Can the Winner Really Take All?
By Punchada Sirivunnabood
The opposition Pheu Thai Party is well placed to win the May 14 polls. But will it be able to form government?
Thai Opposition Parties Tracking Well Ahead of General Election
By Sebastian Strangio
Two surveys conducted earlier this month show the opposition Pheu Thai Party and Move Forward Party commanding significant support among the electorate.
Former Philippine Foreign Secretary Del Rosario Dies, Aged 83
By Sebastian Strangio
The former top diplomat spearheaded Manila's landmark legal challenge to China's expansive claims over the South China Sea.
The China Factor in Vietnam’s Multidirectional Foreign Policy
By Khang Vu
No matter how many international friends it has, Hanoi's international freedom of maneuver will be tightly constrained by China.
Myanmar Junta Releases 3,000 Prisoners in New Year Amnesty
By Sebastian Strangio
The holiday amnesty is designed to depict the military administration as beneficent, and hence politically legitimate.