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ASEAN Beat
‘One Vision, One Identity, One Community.’ That’s the ASEAN motto. But what’s the reality? Our bloggers based around this diverse and strategically key region give you an insider’s perspective on politics, security and society in South-east Asia.
February 18, 2022
Myanmar Crisis Overshadows Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers
By Sebastian Strangio
The informal gathering took place without the involvement of the junta's appointed foreign minister, but a path forward on the crisis is hard to see.
February 18, 2022
Is Thailand’s Buddhist Sangha Undergoing a Political Sea Change?
By Christian Kurzydlowski
The Thai Buddhist order has long helped to legitimize and prop up the prevailing monarchical order.
February 17, 2022
Who Is Thammanat Prompao, the Man Shaking up Thailand’s Ruling Coalition?
By Tita Sanglee
Despite being expelled from the Phalang Pracharat Party, the former deputy agriculture minister is creating headaches for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
February 17, 2022
Chinese Pipeline in Myanmar Damaged in Attack by Anti-Regime Forces
By Sebastian Strangio
Chinese facilities and enterprises are increasingly being caught in the crossfire of the struggle between the PDFs and the Tatmadaw.
February 17, 2022
Southeast Asian Elite Survey Paints Complex Picture of China Ties
By Sebastian Strangio
The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute's latest State of Southeast Asia survey reflects the region's fraught and ambivalent view of China's rising power.
February 16, 2022
Indonesia Breaks Daily COVID-19 Record as Omicron Surge Continues
By Sebastian Strangio
The surge has prompted the authorities to reintroduce some limited social restrictions on Java and Bali.
February 16, 2022
Cambodia Puts Controversial National Internet Gateway Plan on Hold
By Sebastian Strangio
Under proposed rules, Cambodian ISPs would be required to route all of their internet traffic through a single, government-controlled chokepoint.
February 15, 2022
Rohingya Militancy: Myth or Reality?
By Shafi Md Mostofa
Rohingya refugees have so far proven surprisingly resistant to the siren call of global jihadi ideology.
February 15, 2022
Japan’s Kirin to Finalize Withdrawal From Myanmar
By Sebastian Strangio
After a year of failed negotiations with its military-linked joint venture partner, the Japanese beverage maker has become the latest foreign firm to exit the country.
February 15, 2022
Myanmar Junta to Spurn ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
By Sebastian Strangio
The decision came after Cambodia, ASEAN's current chair, announced that the junta would only be permitted to send a "non-political" representative.
February 11, 2022
The China Factor in Indonesia’s New Capital City Plan
By Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama
China’s economic influence in Indonesia will translate into a prominent role in the development of the new capital.
February 11, 2022
Philippines Election Authority Dismisses More Complaints Against Marcos
By Sebastian Strangio
The son of the late dictator now holds a commanding lead in the race to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte.
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