Region
Southeast Asia
A Philippine Plebiscite That Rebuked President Duterte and China
By Mong Palatino
Voters' rejection of a plan to subdivide the island of Palawan into three provinces has been hailed as a victory against oligarchy and foreign encroachment.
Laos’ Austerity Fantasies Reveal the Communist Party’s Weaknesses
By David Hutt
Ballooning external debt and growing fiscal deficits augur political storm clouds for the ruling LPRP.
Singapore Joins Calls for Emergency ASEAN Summit on Myanmar
By Sebastian Strangio
The growing weight of outside expectation suggests that a special ASEAN meeting is likely to go ahead in the coming weeks.
Strengthening Southeast Asia-North Korea Engagement in the Post-COVID-19 Era
By Shawn Ho and Jeeyoon Chung
Southeast Asian states and NGOs can play a significant role in engaging North Korea via humanitarian assistance programs.
US Government to Sanction Military-Linked Myanmar Conglomerates: Report
By Sebastian Strangio
MEC and MEHL control a vast network of companies that channel profits into the Tatmadaw's coffers.
Why Did North Korea Sever Diplomatic Ties With Malaysia?
By Adam Leong Kok Wey
The move should be interpreted in the context of the DPRK's fraught relationship with the United States.
Amid Legal Crackdown, Thai Protest Movement Regains Momentum
By Sebastian Strangio
After a period of hiatus, and amid a concerted legal offensive, the student-led protests are beginning to revive.
Myanmar Junta Frees Hundreds Held for Anti-Coup Protests
By Associated Press
The releases came as activists declared a "silence strike," calling on people to remain indoors and for businesses to close.
Singapore, Malaysia Mull Cooperation on Vaccine Certifications
By Sebastian Strangio
Mutual recognition of the two nations' COVID-19 vaccine certificates could pave the way for a regional certification process.
Fire Devastates Large Swathe of Rohingya Refugee Camp
By Sebastian Strangio
The fire is a harrowing reminder of the vulnerable position of Rohingya refugees, as their country descends into political crisis.
A Beauty Pageant Stirs Southeast Asia’s Political Pot
By Luke Hunt
Miss Grand Cambodia has been rebuked for her "no politics" approach – and for eating while talking.
The COVID-19 Overseas Remittance Crisis That Wasn’t
By James Guild
Overseas remittances generally proved to be more resilient than other types of capital flows into Southeast Asia.