Showing 1 - 10 of 39
Philippines' crucial Asean test
Oped, Simon Hutagalung, Published on 21/01/2026
» The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has its own administration. Member states take turns leading the organisation through an annual chairmanship, a system designed to give all members equal opportunities to shape regional priorities.
Domestic drivers of bilateral conflict
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/12/2025
» The latest flare-up and intensification of the armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia should be understood less as a new crisis and more as a resumption of a bilateral clash that erupted in late July.
Philippines sidelines local languages
Oped, Analiza Liezl Perez-Amurao and Michael Thomas Nelmida, Published on 09/07/2025
» In October 2024, the Philippine government, in its management of a linguistically rich and culturally diverse population, decided to make the then-existing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) expire by not signing it.
Unpunished crimes, except Duterte's maybe
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 18/03/2025
» Everybody has heard the saying: "The mills of justice grind slowly, but they grind exceeding fine". The saying is a promise that all crimes will eventually be punished -- but it is a lie.
Manila probes network of alleged Chinese spies
News, Cliff Venzon, Published on 15/03/2025
» Philippine authorities have uncovered a network of hundreds of alleged Chinese spies, a senior official said, a much more extensive operation than previously disclosed that adds to tensions between the countries.
China takes aim at democracy
News, Adam Nelson and May Butoy, Published on 06/01/2025
» In April 2024, a spokesman for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte suggested that the Philippines and China had entered into an undisclosed "gentleman's agreement" between 2016 and 2022. China would not challenge the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, and the Philippines would send only basic supplies to its personnel and facilities on the Ayungin Shoal. But now, the Philippines is emerging as an essential player in resisting China's strategic ambitions in the region, with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr's administration asserting Philippine maritime claims through naval confrontations and new legislation.
Extreme heat hits women hardest
Oped, Jess Ayers & Helen Mountford, Published on 24/09/2024
» Climate shocks -- from heat waves to droughts, floods to wildfires -- often hit women the hardest. New research published this May in The Lancet found that even in wealthy European countries, women died at nearly twice the rate as men from extreme heat over the last two decades. Marcos Quijal, one of the report's authors, said the findings "reflect a global trend".
Keeping politics in the family
News, Karishma Vaswani, Published on 28/08/2024
» Politics is increasingly returning to being a family business in Southeast Asia, despite its large and vibrant democracies. It's a worrying trend. Power is at risk of being concentrated in the hands of an exclusive club of entrenched clans. That will disproportionately disadvantage the region's dynamic youth who are getting more frustrated with nepotism.
International challenges demand action
Oped, John J. Metzler, Published on 18/04/2024
» It's not often an American ally addresses the US Congress, but when they do, it's time to listen. That was the case on April 12 when Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke before a joint session of Congress in Washington to both thank America for its post-war friendship and to reaffirm the continuing political and strategic partnership between Japan and the US.
Asean juggles triangular power game
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/04/2024
» A rising China, a trusted Japan, and a declining America are three cogs dictating the global geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia in the months, if not years, to come. Amidst intensifying geopolitics, Asean is in a position where this could either be a blessing or a curse.