Region
Southeast Asia
Singapore Navy Commissions First Two Invincible-Class Submarines
By Sebastian Strangio
The German-built boats are the first that have been custom-built for the congested tropical waters surrounding the city-state.
Laos and Cambodia Don’t Include Scam Industries in Their GDP Data. Should They?
By David Hutt
As strange as it sounds, it is not unusual for nations to include criminal activities in their official economic reports.
Myanmar Military Calls on Opponents to Enter Political Dialogue
By Sebastian Strangio
Few groups are likely to heed the SAC's call for them to “communicate with us to solve political problems politically.”
Malaysia’s Guantanamo Bay Connection
By Jasminder Singh
It is good that Kuala Lumpur is repatriating two prisoners from the U.S. penal facility, but it could face challenges once they return home.
Thailand’s King Endorses Marriage Equality Bill
By Sebastian Strangio
The law is set to take effect on January 22, 2025, when activists say they will hold a mass marriage of same-sex couples.
Indonesia Officially Lodges Application to Join Trans-Pacific Trade Pact
By Sebastian Strangio
Jakarta hopes that membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership will help broaden the markets for its exports.
Japan To Downgrade Diplomatic Ties With Myanmar Junta, Report Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Like several of its Western partners, Japan will now be represented in Yangon by a chargé d'affaires rather than a full ambassador.
Myanmar is Not About to Become a ‘Fractured’ State
By Miemie Winn Byrd
Analysts overlook the novel political linkages between the country's resistance groups, and their determination to build a federal democracy.
Vietnam’s To Lam Set to Meet With President Biden
By Sebastian Strangio
During the communist party chief's five-day visit to New York, Vietnamese and U.S. firms have signed a number of economic agreements.
Singapore Opens Corruption Trial of Former Transport Minister
By Sebastian Strangio
In the largest graft trial in decades, S. Iswaran is accused of taking more than S$400,000 in gifts from two prominent business figures.
Rights Groups Condemn Myanmar Prisoner Executions, Warn More to Come
By Sebastian Strangio
Several sources are reporting that five pro-democracy activists will be hanged at Insein Prison in Yangon today.
Parsing the Philippines’ ‘Pivot’ to China Under Rodrigo Duterte
By Sebastian Strangio
“He was not a strategic thinker. His foreign policy flowed from his personal likes and dislikes.”