How the ASEAN Summit on Myanmar Might—or Might Not—Impact the Situation...
By Joshua Kurlantzick
These past weekends, the ten member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Myanmar, held an emergency summit to address...
Conflict and Violence in Jolo Will Not Stop Until All of...
By Valina Zahra
Jolo is the capital of Sulu Province, one of three island provinces in Southwestern Mindanao in the Philippines, the other two being...
The Implications of the Najib Razak Corruption Case
On Tuesday (Malaysia time), a Malaysian court found former Prime Minister Najib tun Razak guilty on seven counts of corruption, and sentenced him to twelve years...
Indonesian Foreign Minister Addresses Myanmar Crisis with Shuttle Diplomacy
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has been active in addressing the Myanmar crisis. Indonesia has been doing its shuttle diplomacy regarding the issue.
Will Indonesia bring Rohingya to Security Council?
(Original piece published in Jakarta Post)
Observers and critics are hoping for Indonesia to maximize its position as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council...
Could seaweed solve Indonesia’s plastic crisis?
(Originally published in The Guardian)
Indonesia produces more marine plastic pollution than any other country except China. It is the world’s biggest archipelago also its...
The Way Forward: Steps Necessary to Preserve Democratic Norms, Institutions
Defenders of democracy should work to ensure that elections are not delayed or canceled and that elections planned in 2021 in Malaysia should be...
To Win the Fight against Terrorism, Nations Must Be Inclusive, Fair,...
By Rizal G. Buendia
Less than two months after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 on 3 July 2020, otherwise...
Southeast Asia Warms Up to the US Under Biden, with Some...
Biden administration has gained high expectations among ASEAN countries. However, skepticism might stay as well as China's influence grows.
Addressing the Effect of Covid-19 on Democracy In South and Southeast...
“People are fearful of the virus and, sometimes desiring strong containment measures, are inclined to initially rally around their leaders…”
By Joshua Kurlantzick
Although South and...
Disasters Without Borders: How Climate Change Impacts a Developing Archipelagic Country
By Dennis Legaspi
The virus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes, COVID-19, went global because of the free flow of goods, people and services through...
Religion Has a Role in the Fight Against the Covid-19 Pandemic
Religion-based communities could partner with the governments to play their role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Tough Year for Democracy in Southeast Asia
2018 was a brutal year, in many ways, for civil society activists, rights advocates, and democratic politicians throughout Southeast Asia. Cambodia’s government transformed from...
The TAC Is ASEAN’s Code of Ethics—Why Isn’t It Used to...
By Calvin Khoe
When ASEAN was founded in August 1967, it was ostensibly for the purpose of economic and functional cooperation. However, the statements of...
Thailand, Corruption and Terror
The drama of a mass shooting carried out by a rogue Thai Army soldier ended on Sunday, February 9. After 16 hours of chaos,...
Popular News
Global Recovery from the Pandemic Creates a Surge in Palm Oil...
By Dupito D. Simamora
As the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, the palm oil industry, together with other commodity-producing industries, is experiencing a pleasant...
