Indonesia and Vietnam have completed their long-negotiated and pending ratification of their maritime boundaries. While this will probably improve maritime security and help prevent illegal fishing, the agreement will likely cause rifts with China because of the latter’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. President Prabowo Subianto said he was mulling ratifying the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) treaty with …

ASEAN has been a long-standing anchor for stability in Southeast Asia, laying the groundwork for economic and political cooperation, establishing dialogue, and promoting a security architecture based on rules and mutual respect. Today, with several complex challenges facing the region, it is as vital as ever that ASEAN continues to be part of the management of these challenges. Founding Principles: …

In a surprising development this month, passionate activists have called upon Indonesian authorities to launch an investigation into the alleged arms sales by state-owned arms manufacturers to Myanmar through a seemingly obscure shell company owned by the son of a junta minister.  This revelation exposes yet another layer of a hidden regional trade network that continues to funnel vital resources …

China has raised concerns about US’s divisive politics in Southeast Asia, attempting to polarize the region with power play. At the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sounded the alarm that a “new Cold war” is in the making, if bilateral conflicts and prejudice is made to sneak into multilateral forums.  Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi …

As diplomatic tensions escalate over Myanmar’s ongoing turmoil, Malaysia has taken a bold stance within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This article delves deeper into Malaysia’s call for robust measures against Myanmar’s ruling generals and explores the mounting frustration within ASEAN due to the military’s failure to end violence and engage constructively with the peace plan.  The Call …

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has faced many difficulties due to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, which began in February 2021 after the military takeover. Despite several attempts to resolve the issue, a brutal civil war involving the military junta, the civil opposition, and different ethnic groups has broken out, leaving tens of thousands of people dead and …

After failing to engage Myanmar’s junta in talks, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has made a mess by meeting Aung San Suu Kyi in detention. He is the only diplomat to have met the ousted Myanmar leader since she was detained when the army seized power in February, 2021.  Don, who is also the deputy prime minister of Thailand, told …

The foreign ministers of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), a political and economic union of 10 member states in Southeast Asia, held a meeting on Wednesday to address an intensifying conflict in Myanmar, a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups.  The meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations took place in Jakarta, the capital of …

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) fails to unify in addressing regional concerns, the Philippines is looking to Japan and the United States for assistance in boosting maritime security. This article examines the relevance of this strategic strategy, Japan’s and the United States’ roles in boosting maritime security, and the ramifications for the Philippines and the larger Southeast …

The absence of major ASEAN countries from recent Thai-hosted meetings on the situation in Myanmar highlighted the problems and criticism surrounding diplomatic attempts to handle the conflict. This essay examines the significance of the decision of the missing countries and highlights the need for inclusive discourse, regional collaboration, and effective measures to support stability and democratic transition in Myanmar. An …