Southeast Asia
ASEAN, the Mekong, the South China Sea and the maritime archipelagos. Ten very different countries, one region.
Rupiah Rout Revives Specter of 1997 Crisis for Indonesia
Indonesia's rupiah has fallen to an all-time low near 17,400 per dollar, reviving memories of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Bank Indonesi
Japan's Ammonia Co-Firing Plan Risks Prolonging Indonesia's Coal Dependence
Japan's Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) is pushing ammonia co-firing at Indonesia's Suralaya and Paiton coal plants. While framed as a t
Philippines First to Feel Full Force of Iran War Inflation as Asia Braces for Wider Shock
The Philippines recorded 7.2% year-on-year inflation in April, roughly double its first-quarter growth rate. The spike, driven by oil and fo
Thailand Should Not Abandon Maritime Dialogue with Cambodia
Thailand's threat to exit the 2001 MOU on overlapping maritime claims with Cambodia threatens to escalate tensions. The agreement provides a
Thailand Pitches Land Bridge as Hormuz Fears Mount
Thailand is pushing a $30 billion land bridge across its southern peninsula to link the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Prime Minister Anu
Prabowo's Bond with Aide Sparks Elite Unease in Indonesia
A video of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto celebrating his aide's birthday at a luxury Paris hotel has gone viral, sparking backlash a
Aung San Suu Kyi's House Arrest Is Not Myanmar's Freedom
Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest, but she remains a political prisoner under military control. Myanmar's resistan
Myanmar's Junta Leader Dons Civilian Garb, but War Map Tells a Different Story
Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has shed his uniform and declared himself president, but the country remains deeply fractured. Anti-ju
Indonesia Must Tread Carefully in China's Bauxite Rush
Chinese firms are pouring billions into Indonesia's bauxite and aluminum sector, drawn by domestic limits at home. Jakarta risks repeating t
Indonesia's Multi-Alignment Strategy Balances US Military Ties With Russian Energy
Indonesia executed a rare diplomatic feat on April 13, 2026, signing a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership with the US while President Pra
Tolling the Malacca Strait: A Path to Price Out American Hegemony
Indonesia's finance minister proposed tolling the Strait of Malacca, sparking regional debate. The idea could transform a strategic vulnerab
Singapore's AI Neutrality Model Cracks Under US-China Pressure
China's move to force Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisition of Singapore-based AI startup Manus shows that location no longer protects c