Region
Southeast Asia
Amid Crackdown, Thai Court Acquits Writer in Royal Defamation Case
By Sebastian Strangio
The case against 80-year-old Bundit Aneeya stemmed from comments he made at a seminar in 2015.
Will Financial Scandals Undermine Indonesia’s Model of Economic Development?
By James Guild
Corruption within state-run enterprises threatens to tarnish the country's mixed development model.
‘Not Sufficient’: Thailand Rejects Report on Lao Hydropower Dam
By Sebastian Strangio
The Sanakham dam is one of seven mega-dams that the landlocked country is planning, in defiance of environmental and economic sense.
Someone to Watch Over Me: Trusting Surveillance in Singapore’s ‘Smart Nation’
By Teo Yi-Ling and Muhammad Faizal Abdul Rahman
The TraceTogether controversy shows the need to renegotiate Singapore's social contract on the question of data privacy.
Cherian George on Singapore’s Political Evolution
By Sebastian Strangio
"The main reason why leaders won’t reform the system is probably that they find the current situation far too comfortable."
Cambodian Prince Readies Return to Political Life
By Sebastian Strangio
Prince Norodom Ranariddh’s comeback is unlikely to amount to much in electoral terms – but is convenient for the ruling CPP.
Ruling Communist Party to Set Vietnam’s Course This Week
By Associated Press
The party is highly secretive and citizens are not even allowed to publicly discuss candidates.
Mind the Remote Learning Gap in ASEAN
By Lim Cher Ping, Geoffrey M. Ducanes, Nicola Nixon, and Pitchanuch Supavanich
As a result of COVID-19, the educational gap is expected to widen across ASEAN.
Leading Thai Opposition Politician Charged With Royal Defamation
By Sebastian Strangio
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit had criticized a COVID-19 vaccine procurement deal involving a company owned by the Thai king.
The Mendiola Massacre: Decades on, Philippine Land Reform Movement Remains Mired in Blood
By Oliver Haynes
"The interests of the peasants and landowning politicians can never be reconciled," says one activist.
Indonesia Urges Myanmar to Create Safe Conditions for Rohingya Repatriation
By Sebastian Strangio
Conditions in Rakhine State are unlikely to be amenable to the safe return of refugees any time soon.
Post-Pandemic Southeast Asia Faces a Crisis of Authoritarianism
By David Hutt
History tells us that people rebel not when things are worst, but when hopes of improvements are disappointed.