William Choong|Kei Koga
China has been trying to get Southeast Asian countries to take its side in Beijing’s spat with Japan. ASEAN needs to impress on China that it has a more nuanced view of Japan.
Amalina Anuar
Malaysia’s highest court will decide on the dispute between Petronas and the state of Sarawak. But a legal ruling will not obviate the need to manage the political consequences of the dispute.
Sophie Wushuang Yi
The US-led war against Iran has given Chinese military planners an insight into the challenges that the US would face in a similar conflict in the Indo-Pacific.
Nguyen Khac Giang
Vietnam’s new premier seems to have what counts, but the odds could go either way.
The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey
Joanne Lin
Across a broad range of indicators, the US’ broader standing in the region has weakened.
Joanne Lin|William Choong
The US-Japan alliance remains secure, but insecurity is mounting in Asia about the firmness of the US’ commitment to the region.
The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey
Joanne Lin
Southeast Asia has traditionally preferred not to take sides in the long-standing Sino-US rivalry. A fall in confidence in the US makes this a harder choice to make.
David Lam
The Philippines has become the first government in the world to put its national budget on a blockchain. It offers a precedent for using the technology's transparency and immutability to enforce fiscal accountability.
Yichen Wang
Chinese waste-to-energy companies are expanding into Southeast Asia, where the need for such services has grown.
Yanuar Nugroho
Indonesia’s president is caught between a rock and a hard place fiscally and politically.