Southeast Asia
Manila’s 2026 Chairmanship: Navigating ASEAN’s Fragmented Regionalism
As the Philippines assumes the ASEAN 2026 Chair, Manila faces a stark leadership test, manifested through intra- and extra-regional challenges. Can it translate national...
Vietnam’s To Lam Secures Second Term as Party Chief
Vietnam’s top leader To Lam was re-appointed on Friday as head of the ruling Communist Party for another five-year term after a unanimous vote...
ASEAN Draws a Line on Myanmar’s Military-Led Election
ASEAN will neither send election observers nor certify Myanmar’s ongoing three-stage election, Malaysia’s foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said, effectively denying regional legitimacy to a...
ASEAN’s Multilateral Dilemma: Continuity and Change from NAM to BRICS
Authors: Evi Fitriani and Anis H. Bajrektarevic
ASEAN’s enduring strength has never been its ability to project power, but its capacity to manage diversity through...
Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict: Restraint in the Digital Information Battlefield
The joint statement that Cambodia and Thailand signed on 27 December 2025 to renew the ceasefire includes a clause stating that “both sides agree...
How Vietnam’s Five-Year Communist Party Congress Chooses the Country’s Next Leaders
Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party will hold its 14th five-yearly congress from January 19 to 25, a pivotal political event that will determine the country’s...
Indonesia’s Middle Power Choice: Defining Its Swing State Role
Indonesia is widely regarded as an emerging Asian middle power in the Indo-Pacific, but its strategic role is still unexpectedly vague. This commentary argues...
Malaysia Plans Term Limits and Anti-Corruption Reforms
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to impose a two-term limit on Malaysia’s prime ministers, capping tenure at a maximum of 10 years. The...
Asia in 2026: Conflict Continues to Dominate
The year 2026 has begun. In Asian–Eastern culture, people traditionally wish for a year of peace and prosperity. However, what unfolded in 2025 may...
The Melaka-Dumai Project: Between The Bridge and The Trap
Is the planned Melaka-Dumai bridge intended to bring the people closer together, or is it intended to bring capital closer together for the benefit...