Region
Southeast Asia
Vietnam Sentences Dissident Journalist to 6 Years in Prison
By Thoi Nguyen
Nguyen Lan Thang's imprisonment is the latest sign of a severe tightening of the political space by the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam.
Defections, Rather Than Sanctions, Are What Is Needed For Myanmar
By David Hutt
The current Western approach may be pushing tycoons and senior officials into the military's arms. Better to entice them in the other direction.
ASEAN Chair Indonesia Condemns Deadly Myanmar Air Strike
By Sebastian Strangio
It remains to be seen whether Indonesia, the bloc's current chair, can lead a tougher and more effective regional response to the country's conflict.
The Battle for Democracy: A Look at Thailand and Cambodia’s 2023 Elections
By Lee Chung Lun
Will the two elections result in the further erosion of democratic and human rights norms, or will they produce a glimmer of hope?
Indonesian Court Overturns Controversial Ruling Delaying 2024 Election
By Sebastian Strangio
Last month, the Central Jakarta District Court ruled that the election commission must halt all election preparations until 2025.
Uzbek Militants Escape Detention in Indonesia; 2 Dead
By Niniek Karmini
The three men were among four Uzbek nationals detained by Densus 88 on March 24, following a tip from Uzbekistan's state security service.
US, Philippines Announce Further Upgrades to Security Ties
By Sebastian Strangio
The 2+2 meeting of defense and foreign ministers coincided with the opening of the largest-ever iteration of the annual Balikatan military exercise.
No Mainstream: The Mekong’s Competing Definitions
By Benjamin Zawacki
Both within and between nations, Southeast Asia's largest river gives rise to competing, and in some cases conflicting, notions.
At Least 50 Killed in Airstrike on Resistance Stronghold in Central Myanmar
By Sebastian Strangio
The attack is part of the military government's escalating use of air strikes to smash the growing resistance to its rule.
No Time to Die: Thailand’s Palang Pracharath Party
By Tita Sanglee
Despite withering popularity and internal divisions, the military-backed ruling party is still a force to be reckoned with.
Why Did Cambodia Finally Decide to Make the SEA Games Free?
By David Hutt
The timing of the decision suggests that it followed attempts by old guard politicians to squeeze as much profit out of the Games as possible.
Cambodia Deports 19 Japanese Cybercrime Scam Suspects
By Sopheng Cheang
The 19 were taken into custody in the southern city of Sihanoukville on January 24.