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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.
Making the Most of PM Paetongtarn’s Visit to Thailand’s Deep South
By Mark S. Cogan
Despite its promises, the Pheu Thai government's approach to the southern question has been depressingly familiar.
Malaysia Seeks Gag Order on Ex-PM Najib’s Royal Document Case
By Sebastian Strangio
The former leader is seeking to convert his current prison sentence, handed down for his involvement in the 1MDB corruption scandal, to house arrest.
Vietnam’s Reborn Nuclear Energy Ambitions: Challenges and Prospects
By Huynh Tam Sang and Nguyen Quoc Anh
The country's nuclear ambition hinges on its leaders' ability to overcome infrastructure bottlenecks and carry the anti-corruption campaign forward.
Trade Resumes After Myanmar Military and Major Rebel Group Agree to Ceasefire
By Sebastian Strangio
The agreement between the military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army came after months of Chinese pressure to return to political dialogue.
Prabowo’s Approval Rating Tops 80 Percent After 100 Days in Office
By Sebastian Strangio
Since taking office in October, the Indonesian president's popularity has been boosted by his tax cuts and free meal program.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers Tell Myanmar Junta to Prioritize Peace Over Elections
By Sebastian Strangio
The bloc says that any poll must be "inclusive," but it has limited power to deter the junta from its election plans.
Singapore: A ‘Small Fish in the Dangerous Ocean’
By Sribala Subramanian
Former Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani writes about pragmatism in foreign policy.
China’s FM Calls on Southeast Asia to Tackle Online Scamming Scourge
By Sebastian Strangio
Wang Yi told ASEAN ambassadors that scamming poses “serious threats to the vital interests of citizens from China and other countries.”
Indonesia’s President Prabowo to Pay State Visit to India Next Week
By Sebastian Strangio
The planned trip, which follows visits to China and the United States late last year, underscores Prabowo's focus on major power diplomacy over regional engagement.
Japan ‘Gravely Concerned’ About South China Sea Tensions, FM Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Speaking in Manila, Iwaya Takeshi said that his country's partnership with Southeast Asia was "vital for regional peace and stability,”
Thai Police Issue Arrest Warrant For Cambodian Linked to Former MP’s Killing
By Sebastian Strangio
Like the other Cambodian national wanted in connection with the murder, Ly Ratanakrasmey, 43, has links to the Cambodian government.
The Politics of ‘Ayuda’ in the Philippines
By Mong Palatino
Government funds intended for the poor are often used by politicians as a form of political patronage.