Southeast Asia
ASEAN, the Mekong, the South China Sea and the maritime archipelagos. Ten very different countries, one region.
Asia's Energy Independence: Lessons from the Philippines Emergency
The Philippines declared a national energy emergency in March 2026 due to Middle East conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption. A new RMI an
Thailand's Bid to Become ASEAN's Data Center Hub Gains Momentum
Thailand's Board of Investment approved over $30 billion in projects in Q1 2026, with data centers dominating. Industrial estate operators l
Trump's New Tariff Strategy Targets Indonesia with Layered Duties
The US has shifted to a legally defensible tariff regime under Section 301, replacing broad reciprocal tariffs. Indonesia faces a potential
Singapore's Capital Magnetism Risks Hollowing Out Southeast Asia's Startup Ecosystems
Singapore absorbed 92% of Southeast Asia's startup funding in the first half of 2025, up from Indonesia's 42% share in 2021. The capital fli
China Risks Reputational Damage by Backing Prabowo's Tainted Meal Program
China has tied its image to Indonesia's controversial Free Nutritious Meals program, now mired in corruption allegations. The scandal risks
Indonesia's Self-Inflicted Crisis: Bad Timing for a Dangerous Gamble
Bank Indonesia's emergency rate hike on June 9 signals alarm over the rupiah's record low and capital flight. President Prabowo's erosion of
Indonesia's Danantara Tests Investor Trust in Prabowo's Economic Vision
Indonesia's new state wealth fund Danantara has received split credit ratings, highlighting investor uncertainty about President Prabowo Sub
Indonesia's Free Meals Program: From Nutrition to Patronage Feeding Frenzy
The dismissal of Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency chief and a raid by prosecutors exposed deep governance failures in President Prabowo
Myanmar's Junta 'Comeback' Narrative Crumbles Under Scrutiny
Myanmar's junta claims a comeback, but territorial control is limited to 21% of the country. Governance remains fractured, and reliance on a
Rupiah's Plunge Pushes Indonesia's Manufacturers to the Brink
The rupiah fell to a record low of over 18,155 per dollar, triggering a 4% stock index drop. Foreign investors have sold $422 million in bon
Trafficking Horror as Entertainment: The Moral Economy of 'Blood Money'
Jade Flame's 'Blood Money: Lethal Eden' lets players experience a trafficking victim's ordeal for $8.99. Survivors and critics say it commod
‘Pig Feast’ Documentary Exposes Jakarta’s Land Grab in Papua
The film 'Pesta Babi' documents the collision between Jakarta's national food security agenda and indigenous communities in South Papua. It