Region
Southeast Asia

The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and the Limits of China’s BRI Agency
By Pascal Abb
The case of CMEC and other Chinese business activities in Myanmar show how exposed China is to escalating conflict risks, and offer insight to the role it is playing in the ongoing civil war.

Boat Carrying More Than 70 Rohingya Lands in Indonesia’s Aceh Region
By Sebastian Strangio
Last year saw a record number of Rohingya refugees set off by sea from the camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

Sugarcane’s ‘Black Snow’ Is Worsening Bangkok’s Air Pollution Crisis
By Chomkate Ngamkaiwan
So far, the Thai government's efforts to improve its air quality have failed to address the systemic causes of the problem.

Five Thai Hostages Released in Israel-Hamas Prisoner Exchange
By Sebastian Strangio
Thirty-one Thai agricultural workers were abducted by Hamas fighters on October 7, 2023.

After 18 Years at Guantanamo, Is It Too Late for Indonesian Detainee Hambali?
By Aisyah Llewellyn
President Donald Trump has ordered the expansion of the prison camp as a detention facility for illegal immigrants.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, Explained
By James Guild
The project is intended to bring together Malaysia's land and labor with Singaporean finance and investment.

Amid Hope and Despair, Myanmar’s Civil War Enters Its Fifth Year
By Luke Hunt
As the conflict drags on, politicians and “irritating voices” emerge from the liberated rear.

A Turning Point in Vietnam’s Politics
By Alexander L. Vuving
Will Communist Party chief To Lam succeed in leading his nation into a "new era" of economic ascendance?

Thai High-Speed Rail Project Set For Completion in 2030, Government Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The planned high-speed line, which will connect Bangkok to China via Laos, has seen sluggish progress since construction began in 2017.

Trump’s Aid Suspension Wreaks Havoc on Thailand-Myanmar Border
By Sebastian Strangio
Medical clinics serving around 100,000 refugees at camps in western Thailand are dependent on American aid.

Philippine Troops to Train With US Missile System Next Month, Army Says
By Sebastian Strangio
The Typhon intermediate-range missile system has been present in the country since joint military drills in April 2024.

Vietnam’s Bureaucratic ‘Revolution’: Rationales and Challenges
By Duong Thi Thuy Pham and Mai Truong
Communist Party chief To Lam's unprecedented institutional streamlining is designed to bolster Vietnam's competitiveness – but it could come at a cost.