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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.
April 06, 2023
Vietnam Set to Prosecute 54 Officials Over Repatriation Flight Scandal
By Sebastian Strangio
Among those accused of giving or soliciting bribes are former high-ranking members of the government, party, and security apparatus.
April 06, 2023
Comprehending Timor-Leste’s Delayed Accession to ASEAN
By Mabda Haerunnisa Fajrilla Sidiq
For 11 years, ASEAN member states have advanced a number of rationales for delaying the admission of the region's youngest nation.
April 06, 2023
US to Host Top Philippine Officials For Third 2+2 Ministerial Meeting
By Sebastian Strangio
This is the first such meeting to take place since late in the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
April 05, 2023
Vietnam, Israel Conclude Negotiations for Free Trade Pact
By Sebastian Strangio
The agreement, which will be signed later this year, coincides with the 30th anniversary of relations between the two countries.
April 05, 2023
Defamation Trial Against Indonesian Activists Opens in Jakarta
By Sebastian Strangio
Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti are on trial for defaming the powerful minister Luhut Pandjaitan by accusing him of conflicts of interest in relation to a Papuan mining operation.
April 04, 2023
A Maturing Pragmatism in Indonesia-Singapore Relations
By Mustafa Izzuddin
Despite the twists and turns in their nations' ties, Joko Widodo and Lee Hsien Loong will leave things much better than they found them.
April 04, 2023
Philippine, US Reveal Sites of Four Additional EDCA Facilities
By Sebastian Strangio
The U.S. military will be granted access to three additional military facilities in the northern Philippines, and one on the island of Palawan in the South China Sea.
April 04, 2023
Malaysian Parliament Votes to End Mandatory Death Sentence
By Sebastian Strangio
While the government has stopped short of full abolition, the decision could save the lives of some of the 1,300 people currently on death row.
April 04, 2023
Cambodian PM Tells Foreign Countries to Choose
By Luke Hunt
Have Western embassies been told to consider closing?
April 03, 2023
Malaysian Court Refuses Former PM’s Bid For 1MDB Verdict Review
By Sebastian Strangio
The Federal Court rejected Prime Minister Najib Razak's request, with a judge describing him as "the author of his own misfortunes."
April 03, 2023
What the Dissolution of the NLD Means For Myanmar’s Conflict
By Sebastian Strangio
Aside from further embittering the population toward the military junta, the disbanding of the former ruling party is unlikely to have much impact on Myanmar's downward trajectory.
April 03, 2023
Mining, Oil Spill, Military Bases Threaten Philippine Islands
By Mong Palatino
News about anti-mining protests and a massive oil spill reflects the rising concern about the rapid destruction of island ecosystems across the Philippines.
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