The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey
Southeast Asia: Not Choosing Sides but Options
Joanne Lin|Melinda Martinus
Dealt a tough deck of geopolitical cards, Southeast Asia wagers on flexibility and plurilateralism.

The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey
Joanne Lin|Melinda Martinus
Dealt a tough deck of geopolitical cards, Southeast Asia wagers on flexibility and plurilateralism.
Le Hong Hiep
Vietnam has revived Build-Transfer projects five years after banishing them for corruption risks. The efficiency and development reasons are clear — as are the perils that demand stronger institutions.
A'an Suryana|Ary Hermawan
Most Indonesian Muslims are against the US-Israeli war against Iran. But some of them evince anti-Iran sentiment stemming from their belief that Shi’a Islam is a heretical sect.
Ian Storey
Faced with an energy crisis at home, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has broached the idea of joint energy cooperation with China. The idea will not fly, for a variety of reasons.
Paul Teng
ASEAN should enhance efficiency of fertiliser application, increase local fertiliser production, and fortify policies on pesticides and seeds.
Pham Ngoc Minh Trang|Tran le Duy
The 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea has subtly shifted claimant states’ practices, a decade on.
Ambra Dickie
ASEANFocus is privileged to feature H.E. Ambra Dickie, Canada’s Ambassador to ASEAN. Ambassador Dickie reflects on the evolution of ASEAN-Canada dialogue relations and discusses how both sides can seize the “middle power moment” together, amid a shifting Indo-Pacific landscape. She shares Canada’s perspectives on the importance of ASEAN as the region’s leader, the significance of the forthcoming ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, and the importance of strengthening ASEAN-Canada ties to sustain an inclusive and enduring partnership.
Phan Xuan Dung
To Lam’s recent visit to China helps Vietnam to realise its national ambitions. Hanoi is mindful of the risks of such an engagement, which will need to be managed carefully.
Kristina Fong Siew Leng
Kristina Fong emphasises the need for ASEAN Member States to narrow gaps in productive capacities and technological readiness to strengthen economic integration to credibly counter rising geostrategic pressures.
Norshahril Saat|Nur Syafiqah Mohd Taufek
The cancellation of a Hari Raya open house by a temple association in Penang has underscored the need to design interfaith engagements which are possible under certain conditions.