Nyi Nyi Kyaw
Despite China's growing role in brokering peace between Myanmar's military, government and ethnic armed groups, China faces three major hurdles that make rapid and significant progress unlikely in the near future.
Termsak Chalermpalanupap
As Thailand's opposition parties weaken from allegations and defections, the ruling coalition government is set to gain strength in the House with little competition - heralding a new era in the country's politics.
Nyi Nyi Kyaw
After a landslide victory in 2015, Myanmar's ruling NLD party is gearing up for the elections again, with a reaffirmation of the party's stance that politics should be conducted through negotiations and in the electoral arena rather than armed conflict.
Le Hong Hiep
Fuelled by inconsistent land management and historical ambiguity over land use rights, land disputes remain a persistent problem in Vietnam. While these disputes rarely affect foreign investors, it is a thorny political issue that the CPV will need to resolve.
Le Hong Hiep
Caught between its growing energy needs and Laos' controversial plans for more hydropower dams along the Mekong River, Vietnam has taken stakes in the projects to influence their development and minimise their environmental impact.
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
Years of political turmoil and ingrained problems such as inequality, corruption and and inefficient administration have led to declining faith in the monarchy. This has widened political divisions in Thailand - an issue so serious that it has become the focus of Thailand's latest security plan.
Moe Thuzar
Aung San Suu Kyi's decision to represent Myanmar herself to defend against the genocide charges in the ICJ has sent a message that she is taking responsibility as the country's leader. This may translate into more votes for her party in the 2020 elections.
Tang Siew Mun
India's surprise withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has diminished the country's strategic weight and relevance. The withdrawal consitutes a major setback to the Indo-Pacific concept and has caused ASEAN to lose a counterweight to aspiring powers with hegemonic ambitions.
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
Unlike most constitutional monarchies that stay above the political fray, the late King Bhumibol often sent his men to rescue Thailand from crises - such as the appointment of Anand Panyarachun as Prime Minister after the 1992 protests. However, these royal interventions were not always effective, and had in fact eroded the monarchy's popular legitimacy.
Tang Siew Mun|Glenn Ong
The appointment of National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien as the United States' Special Envoy to the East Asia Summit should have been seen as a sign of encouragement due to his close connection to the President. But it may also be perceived as a snub as he will be the first US delegate who is deemed to be not senior enough in the pecking order.