Augus Li 10/12/26 Augus Li 10/12/26

South China Sea Code of Conduct Nears its Deadline with Core Questions Still Unanswered

The Philippines wants a deal before its year as ASEAN chair ends, but negotiators still haven't settled if the code would be legally binding or which waters it would cover.

Vrithika Reddy Chintalapudi 10/12/26 Vrithika Reddy Chintalapudi 10/12/26

How is Southeast Asia Navigating AI?

Facing an influx of global capital and an unprecedented AI boom, ASEAN must carefully weigh its cost-benefit equations. In particular, increasing reliance on foreign-operated tech corporations requires evaluating long-term environmental impacts and risks.

Emily Ireland 10/5/26 Emily Ireland 10/5/26

Flooding Devastates Bangkok’s Drainage Systems

Following a period of torrential downpour, streets and homes were flooded, displacing 700,000 people.

Sunila Mutialu 10/5/26 Sunila Mutialu 10/5/26

“Save Phuket”: Israel's Foreign Tourism Presence in Thailand

Rising tensions between Thai locals and Israeli tourists are challenging cultural boundaries and straining the enduring relationship between Thailand and Israel.

Giulia Fontaine 4/24/26 Giulia Fontaine 4/24/26

Op-Ed: Who is Responsible for the Tatmadaw’s Rise?

Myanmar’s Tatmadaw has incited tragedy for decades, disrupting the state and those neighboring it. Despite the lives lost, nations have shown little support for Myanmar’s citizens, at times aiding the military junta.

Vin Leang 4/13/26 Vin Leang 4/13/26

Myanmar’s Coup Leader Sworn in as President, Seeks Legitimacy from ASEAN

Accused of war crimes and genocide, Myanmar’s de facto leader assumes the presidency with 73% of votes from a parliament dominated by the armed forces.

Vin Leang 3/30/26 Vin Leang 3/30/26

Iran War Drags Down Southeast Asian Tourism

Fighting in the Middle East has disrupted thousands of flights, driven up oil prices, and upended key transit routes connecting Southeast Asia with much of the world.

Mabel Thu 10/23/24 Mabel Thu 10/23/24

ASEAN Leaders Meet in Laos to Discuss Worsening Civil War in Myanmar

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit began on Wednesday Oct. 9 in Vientiane, Laos with a major focus placed on tackling a critical issue within the region: the worsening civil war in Myanmar.

Mabel Thu 10/10/24 Mabel Thu 10/10/24

Australia Provides Assistance to Help Its Citizens Leave Lebanon

Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia, has recently urged Australian citizens in Lebanon to leave while they still can. An estimated 15,000 Australians remain in Lebanon after Israel initiated a ground operation in Hezbollah.

Mabel Thu 10/3/24 Mabel Thu 10/3/24

Thailand Is the First in Southeast Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

On Tuesday, Sep. 24, 2024, Thailand’s landmark marriage equality bill was approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, making the nation the first in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

Shravan Potluri 9/26/24 Shravan Potluri 9/26/24

Indonesia’s Central Bank Cuts Interest Rate by 0.25%

On Sept. 18, Indonesia’s Central Bank (Bank Indonesia) announced a decrease in their interest rate from 25 basis points (0.25%) to 6%, in a move that came as a surprise to most experts.

Saranna Zhang 12/2/23 Saranna Zhang 12/2/23

New Zealand Walks Back Historic Smoking Ban Legislation

In 2022, New Zealand was lauded for passing the world's first generational smoking ban. In a surprising turn of events, New Zealand has backtracked its course on the ban, announcing a disappointing reversal that has drawn criticism from public health officials.

Saranna Zhang 10/29/23 Saranna Zhang 10/29/23

Philippine and Chinese Vessels Collide in South China Sea, Tensions Rise

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine boat on a resupply mission on Oct. 22, 2023, this past Sunday morning. Following the collision, both sides have swapped accusations of blame, heightening tensions in the already-disputed South China Sea.

Saranna Zhang 10/20/23 Saranna Zhang 10/20/23

Malaysia and Indonesia Express Strong Support for Palestine

In the midst of the worldwide polarization over the Israel-Palestine conflict, Southeast Asia has not been immune to its impact. Malaysia and Indonesia, two predominantly Muslim nations, have voiced strong support of the Palestinian cause. In contrast, several other countries in the region have maintained relatively vague or pro-Israel stances on the issue.

Saranna Zhang 10/14/23 Saranna Zhang 10/14/23

Indonesia Launches First High-Speed Railway with Chinese Funding

This past Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the country’s first high-speed railway in Jakarta, Indonesia, marking a new phase in the region’s transportation system.

Dominic Kwan 4/8/23 Dominic Kwan 4/8/23

The Quest to End Rupert Murdoch's Australian Media Empire

Malcolm Turnbull, the former prime minister of Australia, is leading the charge to curb Rupert Murdoch’s monopoly of influence.

Dominic Kwan 3/30/23 Dominic Kwan 3/30/23

A Moment of Reckoning for ASEAN Tech:The Changing Economic Landscape Signaling the End of an Era

In their March report, the Indonesian super-app provider, GoTo, said that its 2022 net loss widened by 56% to 40.4 trillion rupiah ($2.6 billion) as the company continues to struggle to turn a profit.

Dominic Kwan 3/2/23 Dominic Kwan 3/2/23

Singapore’s Growing Role as a Production Hub in the Chip Industry Supply Chain

Big Western chipmakers are increasingly turning towards Singapore as a production hub, both to meet growing demands and to diversify their supply chain risks.