Showing 1 - 10 of 58
Time for Indo-Pacific unity is now
Oped, Akihisa Nagashima, Published on 26/12/2025
» We are living in an age of global disruption. Supply chains are being reconfigured to avoid dependence on any one producer or country. Trade ties are being upended by high and unpredictable tariffs (and the threat of more). Longstanding alliances are being strained by doubts about partners' reliability.
Trump returns to Asean with a bang
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/10/2025
» The Asean chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, said it all. Acknowledging US President Donald Trump's presence during the signing ceremony on Thailand-Cambodia relations on Sunday, he stated: "We, of course, admire your tenacity and courage because the world needs leaders who promote peace strongly."
Resetting Thailand-Cambodia relations
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/10/2025
» After three months of catastrophic relations, Thailand and Cambodia are starting to turn confrontation into cooperation, but such efforts will be obstructed by on-the-ground realities and invisible barriers.
Rethinking Asean's Palestine strategy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 07/10/2025
» Has the Asean chair upped the ante on the bloc's strategy regarding Palestine?
Asean must strengthen cohesion
Oped, Anwar Ibrahim, Published on 17/09/2025
» Since its founding in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has cultivated a reputation for trust and dialogue that has made the region synonymous with peace, stability, and dynamism. The achievements of our ten member states -- soon to be eleven with Timor-Leste's expected admission later in 2025 -- are rooted in a culture of consensus, open communication, and solidarity. This tradition of cooperation has enabled Asean to manage tensions, prevent conflict, and nurture prosperity across one of the world's most diverse regions.
Uniting Asia for common growth
Oped, Pisanu Suvanajata, Published on 04/09/2025
» Amidst the current geopolitical turbulence, eminent persons of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Aug 26–27, to brainstorm pragmatic strategies and policy recommendations for Asia-Pacific countries to navigate challenges and advance towards a sustainable future.
Thai-Cambodian feud is Asean's worst
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 15/08/2025
» The border dispute and consequent military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand in recent weeks have become Asean's worst crisis in its 58 years of existence. Ironically, it was an intra-regional war between Indonesia and Malaysia that gave rise to Asean in 1967, but now an intra-Asean military clash is undermining the Southeast Asian organisation's core reason for being and its main claim to credibility and prominence. Unless Asean, under Malaysia as its rotational chair this year, moves fast to contain the bilateral dispute and reinforce a delicate ceasefire agreement, Southeast Asia will be looked upon increasingly as a region and less as an organisation of member states.
Asean's balancing act gains momentum
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/08/2025
» In the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, a tentative idea was raised at the Chongqing virtual meeting between Asean-China foreign ministers in June 2021, for Asean Plus Two. The two referred to the US and China. The bloc's leaders were quite worried that US-China rivalry, especially during the pandemic, would result in catastrophic outcomes for the regional economy and its integration.
Asean's charm offensive in full swing
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/08/2025
» In what can only be described as a stunning diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump has personally confirmed his attendance at the 47th Asean-related summits on Oct 26-28 in Kuala Lumpur. His early commitment made directly to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim breaks with protocol and represents a rare gesture of goodwill toward Asean.
Myanmar's 'my way' vs Asean norms
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/07/2025
» It appeared to be a done deal. During their summit on May 26, Asean leaders agreed to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the regional bloc. Since then, Nay Pyi Taw has raised an unexpected objection, with the junta issuing an official statement that could potentially embarrass Asean and its current chair, Malaysia.