Region
Southeast Asia
Thai PM Says He Has ‘Date in Mind’ For Dissolution of Parliament
By Sebastian Strangio
Dissolving parliament early would have some minor benefits for Prayut Chan-o-cha's United Thai Nation party, but is unlikely to significantly improve its chances.
Was Hun Sen’s Closure of Voice of Democracy Premeditated?
By David Hutt
It was conspicuous that one of Cambodia's last independent outlets was closed while King Norodom Sihamoni was away.
Sulu Sultanate Heirs Make Fresh Bid to Seize Petronas Assets
By Sebastian Strangio
Court bailiffs in Luxembourg have again issued seizure orders for two local units of the Malaysian state oil firm, as part of a contentious $15 billion arbitration dispute.
The Significance of a More Robust Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership
By Don McLain Gill
The two nations are witnessing a strategic convergence based on shared threat perceptions of a rising and more assertive China.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
By Tim Hildebrandt
What German interests have prompted Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visits to Cambodia and Malaysia, and what can the two countries expect?