Region
Southeast Asia
It Is Time for the World to Listen and Act to Help Rohingya
By Lucky Karim
Rohingya are not asking for special treatment – they are asking for the most basic human rights that have been denied to them for far too long.
The Ulu Tiram Attack: Inspiration for Terror in Malaysia
By Zam Yusa
It appears that the Ulu Tiram attack was inspired by Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, but the suspects were not formally affiliated with or directed by the group.
Indonesia’s Massive Metals Build-out Is Felling the Forest for Batteries
By Victoria Milko, Ed Davey, and Camille Fassett
Where developers build Indonesia’s vast nickel-processing plants, surrounding forest disappears twice as fast: “The damage to the environment is devastating.”
New Deal Establishes a Hotline Chinese and Philippine Presidents Can Use to Stop Clashes at Sea
By Jim Gomez
China and the Philippines have created such emergency telephone hotlines at lower levels in the past to better manage disputes.
Who Will Serve as Indonesia’s Next Finance Minister?
By Ahmad Syarif
Here are the three main contenders to take the post when President-elect Prabowo Subianto takes office in October.
Jemaah Islamiyah Says It Has Disbanded. Should We Believe It?
By Aisyah Llewellyn
Late last month, 16 senior JI figures announced the group's dissolution, and said they were “ready to actively contribute to Indonesia's progress and dignity.”
Indonesia’s Prabowo Plans to Increase Debt to Fund Spending Plans
By Sebastian Strangio
The president-elect plans to increase the country's debt-to-GDP ratio to 50 percent, up from 39 percent currently, in order to achieve his ambitious growth targets.
China, Philippines Trade Statements Over Medical Evacuation From Disputed Shoal
By Sebastian Strangio
Despite pledging to de-escalate tensions at Second Thomas Shoal, Beijing and Manila continue to exchange rhetorical fire.
What’s at Stake in the US Decision to Grant Vietnam ‘Market Economy’ Status?
By Hai Hong Nguyen
Trust – and the lack of it – has been a key factor in Vietnam-U.S. relations over the past half-century.
US Warship Makes Rare Call at Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay Port
By Sebastian Strangio
The USS Blue Ridge has returned to central Vietnam, a half-century after taking part in the final phase of the U.S. war in Vietnam.
Philippines, Japan Sign Reciprocal Access Agreement Amid China Tensions
By Sebastian Strangio
The two sides say that the agreement marks a decisive step forward in their bilateral defense relationship.
Thai Legalization Advocates Rally as Government Moves Toward Cannabis Ban
By Sebastian Strangio
Late last week, a drug control committee approved a proposal to relist the drug as a narcotic by the end of the year.