Region
Southeast Asia
Why is Vietnam Worried About Cambodia’s Mekong Canal Project?
By Sothearak Sok
The proposed Funan Techo Canal is set to connect the country's coast to the Mekong River via a system of lock gates.
Women Bear the Brunt of Asia’s Climate Failures
By Gabriela Fernando and Samanthi Gunawardana
What does the future hold for the millions of women left to work in Asia's agriculture sector battling a climate in collapse?
Thailand’s Wage Battle: Economic Boost or Competitiveness Concern?
By Prem Singh Gill
Deliberation over incremental increases to Thailand's minimum wage underscores a delicate balance between the imperative for fair compensation and the necessity to preserve economic competitiveness.
Why Early Retirement of Coal Power is Faltering in Southeast Asia
By James Guild
If the goal is to reduce emissions by shutting coal plants down early without breaking contracts, then someone needs to pay.
Philippine Broadcast Regulator Suspends TV Show of Former President Duterte
By Mong Palatino
Duterte’s TV show will be off the air for two weeks. Has the former president finally lost the backing of the ruling coalition?
How Taiwan-ASEAN Semiconductor Cooperation Can Bolster Taipei’s National Security
By Chin Hsueh
Three decades after the first iteration of the “Go South” policy, changing geoeconomic realities are making the idea more attractive than ever.
Thai MPs Urge Talks with Cambodia Over Access to Preah Vihear
By Luke Hunt
Cambodia has every right to stand its ground over a needless Little War
Rights Group Accuses Myanmar Rebel Outfit of Forced Recruitment
By Sebastian Strangio
The allegations raise questions about the MNDAA's relationship to the country's broader anti-junta resistance movement.
Looking Back on Deng Xiaoping’s Landmark Visit to Singapore
By Edmund Lim
The trip, when Deng met Lee Kuan Yew for the first time, offers a reminder of the importance of competent leadership to nations' development.
Thailand Takes Another Step Toward Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage
By Sebastian Strangio
The lower house overwhelmingly passed a package of four laws that would redefine marriage as a union between any two individuals.
China, America, and Vietnam’s Diplomatic Blitz in 2023
By Sebastian Strangio
The Diplomat interviews Khang Vu, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Science at Boston College, about Vietnam’s diplomatic strategy amid great power competition.
Thailand’s Quiet Pivot to the Maritime Sphere
By Tita Sanglee
In 2023, the government published several documents detailing the steps necessary to enhance the country's maritime governance.