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Laos Faces a Delicate Balancing Act as ASEAN Leader

Laos Faces a Delicate Balancing Act as ASEAN Leader

By Ratih Indraswari
How Vientiane approaches its obligations to ASEAN and its debt to China will be a key to the bloc’s fortunes in 2024.

Where Have All the Mekong River’s Fish Gone?

Where Have All the Mekong River’s Fish Gone?

By Tom Fawthrop
Policymakers have clung to the fiction that damage to fish populations from hydropower projects can be avoided – with devastating consequences.
Myanmar, South China Sea Conflicts Top Agenda as ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet

Myanmar, South China Sea Conflicts Top Agenda as ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet

By David Rising
The foreign minister of Laos, this year’s ASEAN chair, expressed cautious optimism about the potential for progress in 2024.

Myanmar Junta Sends Representative to ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Myanmar Junta Sends Representative to ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

By Sebastian Strangio
Marlar Than Htaik, the permanent secretary of the junta's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is attending this week's two-day retreat in Laos.

ASEAN Chair Laos Appoints Special Envoy on Myanmar

ASEAN Chair Laos Appoints Special Envoy on Myanmar

By Sebastian Strangio
The appointment of the veteran diplomat Alounkeo Kittikhoun is unlikely to do much to arrest the momentum of the country's conflict.

Laos’ Economic Woes Will Continue In 2024

Laos’ Economic Woes Will Continue In 2024

By David Hutt
Given their connection to structural features of communist rule, there will be no quick respite from the economic woes.

US, UK, Canada Sanctions Target Southeast Asian Scam Operations

US, UK, Canada Sanctions Target Southeast Asian Scam Operations

By Sebastian Strangio
The coordinated sanctions have been imposed on those responsible for major criminal operations in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
How Will Laos Handle Its 2024 Chairmanship of ASEAN?

How Will Laos Handle Its 2024 Chairmanship of ASEAN?

By To Minh Son
The communist-ruled nation takes the helm at a time of growing tumult in the the world and the region.

Laos Deports 462 Chinese Nationals as Scamming Crackdown Spreads

Laos Deports 462 Chinese Nationals as Scamming Crackdown Spreads

By Sebastian Strangio
Under pressure from China, mainland Southeast Asian governments are finally taking action against the region's cyberscam scourge. But will it be enough?

Hydropower Dams Threaten Crucial Mekong Supply Chains, WWF Says

Hydropower Dams Threaten Crucial Mekong Supply Chains, WWF Says

By Sebastian Strangio
In a new report, the World Wildlife Fund claims that dam developments, often hailed as an economic boon, could end up weighing down economic growth.

Can Laos’ Communist Party Recover From the Current Economic Crisis?

Can Laos’ Communist Party Recover From the Current Economic Crisis?

By David Hutt
The ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party has grossly mishandled the economy, but there is no political alternative – at least for now.
ASEAN Gives Laos a Reprieve Over Myanmar Crisis

ASEAN Gives Laos a Reprieve Over Myanmar Crisis

By David Hutt
But let’s not get carried away with the bloc's new “troika” on Myanmar.

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