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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 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.
Philippines to Cease Sending Cadets to China Over South China Sea Frictions
By Sebastian Strangio
The move follows an incident last month in which a Chinese vessel forcibly prevented the resupply of Filipino forces on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
Vietnam Joins ASEAN Neighbors in Denouncing Chinese Map
By Sebastian Strangio
Beijing's “new standard” map depicts the country's maximalist claim over nearly the entire South China Sea.
Filipino Who Helped Tame Insurgency and Pro-poor Indian Cancer Doctor Among Magsaysay Awardees
By Jim Gomez
The Ramon Magsaysay Awards honor "greatness of spirit" in selfless service to people across 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.
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.