ARTICLES

10 Apr 2026

The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey

Amid the Geostrategic Uncertainties, Firms Need the Reassurance of Business Continuity

Kristina Fong Siew Leng

Businesses today especially value stability and deeper economic integration to mitigate risk, and are more worried about growing US economic influence, as reflected in private sector responses to the State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the 13th ASEAN-United States summit at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 26 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES ASIAPAC / Getty Images via AFP)

8 Apr 2026

The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey

When US Leadership Loses Its Sheen

Joanne Lin

Across a broad range of indicators, the US’ broader standing in the region has weakened.

ASEAN ASEAN-US Relations State of Southeast Asia Survey

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2nd L) meets with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd R) during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on 11 July 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / POOL / AFP)

7 Apr 2026

The State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey

A Harder Balance to Keep in Southeast Asia

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.

ASEAN-China Relations ASEAN-US Relations State of Southeast Asia Survey

19 Dec 2025

Reading ASEAN’s Sentiments in a Year of Crosswinds

Joanne Lin|Jasmine Yeo

Joanne Lin and Jasmine Yeo show how insights from two major regional surveys in 2025 capture the forces shaping ASEAN’s confidence in a year of shifting global winds.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Economic Development State of Southeast Asia Survey Sustainable Development

15 Aug 2025

What Can Timor-Leste Bring to ASEAN?

Julia Lau|Sharon Seah

The debut of Timorese respondents in the 2025 State of Southeast Asia survey reveals their sentiments pertaining to a challenging geopolitical landscape and hints at the potential value that the incoming eleventh member can bring to ASEAN.

ASEAN State of Southeast Asia Survey Timor-Leste

27 Jun 2025

The Elusive Code: Why ASEAN Needs a New Playbook for the South China Sea

Joanne Lin|Pou Sothirak

The Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations between ASEAN and China have reached an impasse, hindered by legal ambiguities, strategic divergences, and ASEAN’s internal divisions. ASEAN must move away from a binary approach that equates success with legal binds, and instead explore more pragmatic alternatives.

ASEAN Summit ASEAN-China Relations Code of Conduct South China Sea State of Southeast Asia Survey

15 Apr 2025

The State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025

Turbulent Waters Remain Top of Mind

Hoang Thi Ha|Eugene R.L. Tan

China has sought to paint a narrative about a peaceful situation in the South China Sea. But Southeast Asian respondents to the State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025 beg to differ.

ASEAN China South China Sea State of Southeast Asia Survey

9 Apr 2025

The State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025

Making the EU a Credible Economic Hedge for ASEAN

Kristina Fong Siew Leng

Against a more uncertain global economic backdrop, the European Union and ASEAN face greater urgency to strengthen economic engagement and strategic partnerships.

Economy European Union Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey

8 Apr 2025

The State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025

Beijing Retains Considerable Weight in Regional Perceptions

Sharon Seah|Eugene R.L. Tan

Despite some apprehension about its actions, Beijing continues to retain considerable weight among Southeast Asian elites. This should improve if China learns to temper its assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea.

China Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey US

4 Apr 2025

The State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025

Betting on the Bulldozer: Why (Most of) Southeast Asia is Warming Up to Trump 2.0

Joanne Lin|William Choong

The US president’s tough leadership, reputation as a dealmaker and expectation that he may pay more attention to the region seems to be winning over ASEAN countries.

ASEAN ASEAN-US Relations State of Southeast Asia Survey US