Region
Southeast Asia
Vietnam’s Censoring of ‘Barbie’ Is a Reflection of the Party’s Paranoia
By Minh Tran
The overreaction to the film's alleged depiction of China's "nine-dash line" claim is a feature, not a bug, of the country's culture of censorship.
2023 Marks a Reset in India-Malaysia Relations
By Yanitha Meena Louis
A series of recent exchanges have finally moved the two countries past the turmoil of 2019.
Malaysia and the Dark Fleet
By Sribala Subramanian
A risky trade in sanctioned crude oil is taking place off the coast of Johor.
Philippines Allows ‘Barbie’ Film Screening Amid ‘9-Dash-Line’ Controversy
By Mong Palatino
The move followed a decision by Vietnamese censors to bar the distribution of the film for allegedly depicting the Chinese maritime claim.
Southeast Asian Nations Renew Alarm Over Myanmar Violence. But Diplomats Can’t Settle On a Solution
By Niniek Karmini and Jim Gomez
Nearly two-and-a-half years into the crisis caused by the military takeover, ASEAN remains more divided than ever.
Orange-Clad Move Forward Supporters Turn Out For Prime Ministerial Vote
By Cory Wright
Hundreds of the party's supporters voiced their excitement, and disappointment, as Parliament voted against the MFP leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat.
Thailand’s Move Forward Party Leader Pita Falls Short in Parliamentary Vote for Prime Minister
By Grant Peck and Jintamas Saksornchai
The inconclusive finish to Thursday’s voting sets the stage for another ballot, which is expected next week.
Malaysia Announces Arrest of Another 1MDB Fugitive
By Sebastian Strangio
Jasmine Loo, a former lawyer for the ill-fated state investment fund, is a close associate of Jho Taek Low, the alleged ringleader of the 1MDB scandal.
Southeast Asian States Need to Reassess the Region’s Security Guardrails
By Emirza Adi Syailendra
The flexible and inclusive security mechanisms of the post-Cold War era are beginning to decay. What might replace them?
Thai FM Says He Met With Aung San Suu Kyi on Secret Myanmar Mission
By Sebastian Strangio
Don Pramudwinai reportedly described the secret meeting as a breakthrough. It is more accurate to view it as a setback.
Prayut Has Retired, but His Undemocratic Legacy Will Live On
By Mark S. Cogan
During his nine years in power, the general turned Thailand’s judiciary, and its Constitutional Court in particular, into a weapon for advancing and safeguarding conservative interests.
Is Vietnam’s Economic Blip a Blessing in Disguise?
By David Hutt
The current stagnation could shock the ruling Communist Party into putting economic policy back into sensible hands.