Region
Southeast Asia
![Watchdog Group Adds Cambodia to Human Rights Watch List Watchdog Group Adds Cambodia to Human Rights Watch List](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-01-11-041520.jpg)
Watchdog Group Adds Cambodia to Human Rights Watch List
By Sebastian Strangio
The CIVICUS Monitor has cited the “rapid decline in civic freedoms" as the country moves toward national elections in July.
![How the Sino-Vietnamese War Was Purposefully Forgotten How the Sino-Vietnamese War Was Purposefully Forgotten](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-16-191227.jpg)
How the Sino-Vietnamese War Was Purposefully Forgotten
By Christelle Nguyen
In both China and Vietnam, the governments have deliberately tried to bury memories of their 1979 war.
![Indonesia, China Agree to Final Cost Overruns on High-Speed Rail Project Indonesia, China Agree to Final Cost Overruns on High-Speed Rail Project](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-16-052151.jpg)
Indonesia, China Agree to Final Cost Overruns on High-Speed Rail Project
By Sebastian Strangio
An official told parliament this week that the project's final overrun was $1.2 billion, down from more than $2 billion previously predicted.
![ASEAN Needs to Prepare Now for the Future of Work ASEAN Needs to Prepare Now for the Future of Work](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-16-011731.jpg)
ASEAN Needs to Prepare Now for the Future of Work
By Heng Molika
Amid rapid economic and technological changes, Southeast Asian governments need to offer generous subsidies for digital upskilling.
![Myanmar’s National Unity Government Opens Office in Washington Myanmar’s National Unity Government Opens Office in Washington](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-16-001208.jpg)
Myanmar’s National Unity Government Opens Office in Washington
By Sebastian Strangio
The opening of the office marks a deepening of official U.S. engagement with the NUG, but diplomatic recognition remains unlikely.
![Oliver Slow on the Mindset of Myanmar’s Military Oliver Slow on the Mindset of Myanmar’s Military](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2022-08-12-054228.jpg)
Oliver Slow on the Mindset of Myanmar’s Military
By Sebastian Strangio
"They view themselves as the only ones capable of keeping the country together – something that goes back to the military's foundation as an anti-colonial fighting force."
![Thailand, US Gear Up For Full Strength Cobra Gold Exercises Thailand, US Gear Up For Full Strength Cobra Gold Exercises](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-15-045750.jpg)
Thailand, US Gear Up For Full Strength Cobra Gold Exercises
By Sebastian Strangio
This year's iteration of the annual exercise will feature more than 6,000 U.S. personnel, the largest number in a decade.
![Germany’s President Aims to Diversify Ties During Southeast Asia Trip Germany’s President Aims to Diversify Ties During Southeast Asia Trip](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-14-230018.jpg)
Germany’s President Aims to Diversify Ties During Southeast Asia Trip
By Tim Hildebrandt
What German interests have prompted Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visits to Cambodia and Malaysia, and what can the two countries expect?
![Nahdlatul Ulama at 100: Opportunities and Challenges Nahdlatul Ulama at 100: Opportunities and Challenges](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2021-12-31-001529.jpg)
Nahdlatul Ulama at 100: Opportunities and Challenges
By Virdika Rizky Utama
At the turn of its second century, the Indonesian Islamic organization, one of the world's largest, faces a number of challenging headwinds.
![Philippines Lodges Formal Protests With China Following Laser Incident Philippines Lodges Formal Protests With China Following Laser Incident](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-14-204411.jpg)
Philippines Lodges Formal Protests With China Following Laser Incident
By Sebastian Strangio
As relations between Manila and Washington rapidly improve, Beijing is upping the intensity in disputed parts of the South China Sea.
![Separatist Rebels in Papua Say Kidnapped New Zealand Pilot Is Safe Separatist Rebels in Papua Say Kidnapped New Zealand Pilot Is Safe](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2021-09-03.jpg)
Separatist Rebels in Papua Say Kidnapped New Zealand Pilot Is Safe
By Niniek Karmini
The pilot was taken after landing a small plane with five passengers, intent on evacuating 15 workers building a health center that had earlier been threatened by separatist rebels.
![Cambodia Defends Closure of Independent Media Outlet Amid International Outcry Cambodia Defends Closure of Independent Media Outlet Amid International Outcry](https://thediplomat.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sizes/thumbnail/thediplomat_2023-02-14-061034.jpg)
Cambodia Defends Closure of Independent Media Outlet Amid International Outcry
By Sebastian Strangio
The closure of Voice of Democracy has prompted a wave of condemnations from Western governments. Will actions follow?