Region
Southeast Asia
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The Philippines’ Stakes in South Korea’s Political Chaos
By Nguyen Thanh Long
South Korea has played a crucial role in Manila’s maritime security strategy. Can that cooperation survive if the Yoon administration comes to an abrupt end?
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Beyond Bandung: Indonesia’s Evolving Africa Policy Under Prabowo
By Allan Dharma Saputra
The country's relations with Africa have long lagged behind their potential. That could be about to change.
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Myanmar Remains World’s Leading Source of Illegal Opium Cultivation
By Sebastian Strangio
Despite a slight decrease in opium production, the UNODC warned that the conditions were in place for its continued expansion.
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The Importance of the EU-Philippines Trade Deal
By Sophia Ordoña and Jonas Nitschke
The renewed interest from the EU underscores a positive shift under the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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In Recent Border Controversies, Thailand’s Government Has Been Missing in Action
By William J. Jones
The failure of the Pheu Thai-led government to communicate with the public uniformly and effectively has created openings for its opponents.
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Thai Government Approves Measures to Reduce Household Debt
By Sebastian Strangio
The country's household debt-to-GDP ratio is among the highest in Asia, which has acted as brake on its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Myanmar Economy to Shrink Further in 2025, World Bank Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Myanmar’s GDP is expected to contract by 1 percent in the fiscal year ending March 2025, a downward revision from the previous projection of modest growth.
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The Taxman Cometh in Southeast Asia
By James Guild
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments in the region are attempting to get deficits and public debt levels back under control.
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Did Filipino-Americans Help Trump Win Nevada?
By Sribala Subramanian
Swing voters in a battleground state may have leaned right.
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Philippines Will Not Deploy Navy in Stand-offs With China, Marcos Says
By Sebastian Strangio
On December 4, Chinese ships, including a navy vessel, confronted Philippine vessels close to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.
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Myanmar and China: An American View with Michael Martin
By Luke Hunt
Chinese plans for Myanmar could have far reaching consequences in 2025.
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Ex-Malaysian PM Mahathir Denies Betraying Country Over Island Dispute
By Sebastian Strangio
A royal commission of inquiry has recommended that the former leader face “criminal investigations” for dropping claims to two islets in a dispute with Singapore.