Region
Southeast Asia
US, Japanese, Philippine Coast Guard Ships Stage Law Enforcement Drills Near South China Sea
By Aaron Favila and Joeal Calupitan
Philippine officials say such joint exercises with U.S. forces do not target any country. But Beijing says increased U.S. security deployments in Asia target China and undermine regional stability.
India Apprehended American, Canadian Nationals Crossing Border Into Myanmar
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
While it was difficult to ascertain if foreign nationals were inside anti-junta training camps, The Diplomat identified three people from India, Thailand, and the U.S. outside camps at different locations.
Thailand Kicks off Pride Month With Massive Parade in Bangkok
By Robin Vochelet
This year’s Pride Parade brought into the spotlight Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who reaffirmed his support for the country’s LGBTQ community.
Indonesia Kicks Off Naval Exercises With Involvement of China, US
By Sebastian Strangio
The Komodo exercises represent a rare sign of concord at a time of growing tension in the Asia-Pacific.
Thai Military Announces Plan to Slash Generals, Streamline Forces
By Sebastian Strangio
Last week's announcement may be an attempt to preempt the military reforms promised by the progressive Move Forward Party following its election victory.
AUKUS, Southeast Asia, and the Indo-Pacific: Beyond Cyclical Perception Management?
By Prashanth Parameswaran
A key question about the trilateral security agreement is how it will eventually fit within the broader regional security architecture.
Remembering Vietnam’s Great Famine
By Christelle Nguyen
The 1945 famine has been fading into obscurity, despite its crucial role in the country’s independence fight.
Managing ASEAN’s Growing Myanmar Challenge
By Prashanth Parameswaran
The grouping faces rising pressure to tackle a new phase of an issue that has consumed it for decades.
Searching for Guardrails: A Vietnamese Perspective on Strategic Equilibrium Amid Uncertainty
By Vu Le Thai Hoang and Ngo Di Lan
The onus is on Southeast Asian countries to seize the initiative and collectively assert their role in shaping a regional order in a state of flux.
Asian Synthetic Drug Trade Continues to Surge, UN Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Regional methamphetamine seizures dropped slightly in 2022, according to the U.N., but other indicators suggest that the supply "has remained very high or unchanged."
Singapore’s Role in the Effective Enforcement of Russian Fuel Sanctions
By Margaret Lin
The city-state was the one Southeast Asian nation to impose sanctions on Russia, but its enforcement of sanctions compliance has left much to be desired.
China’s Joint Military Drills With Southeast Asian Nations
By Narantsatsral Enkhbat
Beijing’s primary objective is to make sure its neighbors are not aligned with the United States against China.