Region
Southeast Asia
Are Laos’ New Railways a Solution to its Lack of Trade with the West?
By David Hutt
Transport costs are not the only problem facing the country, but reducing them could help spur progress in other areas.
Indonesia’s Industrial Export Ambitions
By James Guild
President Joko Widodo has overseen a centralization of research, development, and industrial production.
Khoo Ying Hooi on Malaysia’s Pivotal General Election
By Sebastian Strangio
The outcome of this month’s election is “far less certain and predictable" than previous ones.
Richard Branson Declines Singapore’s Invitation to Debate Death Penalty
By Sebastian Strangio
The 72-year-old, a longtime anti-death penalty campaigner, instead called for "a constructive, lasting dialogue involving multiple stakeholders."
Xi Jinping Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Vietnam’s Communist Party Chief
By Sebastian Strangio
The elaborate ceremonials of Nguyen Phu Trong's state visit are a reminder of the alternating attraction and resistance that underpin Sino-Vietnamese relations.
Indonesia’s Plea: ‘G-20 Must Not Fail’
By Sribala Subramanian
Was Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi’s speech at the United Nations a curtain raiser for the G-20 summit?
Southeast Asia’s Digital Economy to Top $200 Billion in 2022: Report
By Sebastian Strangio
A new report claims that the region's digital economy could be worth more than $200 billion this year, outpacing previous projections.
President Biden Confirmed for Summits in Cambodia, Indonesia
By Sebastian Strangio
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris will represent the U.S. at the upcoming APEC Summit in Bangkok.
The Tyranny of Compelled Speech in Cambodia
By David Hutt
Censorship and self-censorship are less repressive than being forced to express and affirm a regime's lies.
Taking Down the Tatmadaw
By Luke Hunt
A conversation with journalist and Myanmar activist Scott Johnson.
Southeast Asia’s Data Localization Push Is a Double-Edged Sword
By Xirui Li
The policy could stimulate the growth of regional data centers, while also throwing up barriers to digital trade.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Urge More Progress in Myanmar Crisis
By Niniek Karmini and Grant Peck
The ministers admitted their efforts haven’t achieved significant progress and called to strengthen the implementation of a five-point consensus.