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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.
Indonesia’s Commitment to the Pacific Needs to Go Beyond Rhetoric
By Hipolitus Wangge
Jakarta has gestured toward closer relations with the region, but its engagement lags behind many other major powers.
Thaksin Preparing to Apply for Royal Pardon, Lawyer Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The former leader returned to Thailand in a blaze of publicity last week after more than 15 years in self-exile.
Indonesia Arrests 88 Chinese Nationals Over Online Romance Scams
By Associated Press
Police believe the suspects are members of a telephone fraud and online love scam syndicate targeting mostly Chinese.
Tan Kin Lian’s Conservative Views Divide Singapore’s Anti-PAP Forces
By Robin Vochelet
Ahead of Friday’s presidential election, anti-establishment voters are struggling with what to make of the “independent” candidate’s campaign.
Hundreds of Thousands Trafficked into Southeast Asian Scam Centers, UN Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Digital scam operations are generating billions of U.S. dollars in revenue each year, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a new report.
Rating the Progress of Myanmar’s Resistance Movement
By Lian Bawi Thang
Revolutionary forces have seen notable successes in some areas, while struggling to gain traction in others.
Meta Rejects Recommendation to Suspend Former Cambodian PM From Facebook
By Sebastian Strangio
The case has been widely seen as a test for how the social media company deals with hate speech and incitement by prominent public figures.
Indonesia’s Supreme Court Once Again In Spotlight Over Police Accountability
By Aisyah Llewellyn
The apex court has overturned the acquittals of two police officers accused of negligence during the Kanjuruhan Stadium crush in October.
Thailand’s New Prime Minister: The Parliamentary Vote and the Aftermath
By Tita Sanglee
Srettha Thavisin's confirmation as the country's PM was not a surprise, but the August 22 vote in Parliament offered some signs of where Thai politics might be heading.
Myanmar Junta Orders Expulsion of Timor-Leste’s Top Diplomat
By Sebastian Strangio
The country's charge d'affaires has been ordered to leave the country by September 1, due to his government's meetings with the opposition National Unity Government.
China Makes One Final Diplomatic Push Ahead of ASEAN Leaders’ Summit
By Luke Hunt
China’s regional diplomacy has struggled this year. Beijing can only hope for a better 2024, when Laos takes the helm.
Sea Change: ‘Bongbong’ Marcos and the Future of the South China Sea
By Patrick M. Cronin
Marcos is overhauling Philippine strategy, and the strategic shift is as significant as any in the region.