Politics

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits a monastery in Moscow in 2017. The Russian Orthodox Church has close links with the government.
International relations

Orthodox church schism extends Putin's reach in Asia

Russian church creates own Southeast Asian dioceses after split over Ukraine

31 March 2019
Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi faces mounting challenges and has less than two years to address them.
Politics

After 3 years, Suu Kyi running out of time to energize Myanmar economy

Slowing investment and growth threaten NLD's chances in 2020 election

30 March 2019
Aung San Suu Kyi told investors that "much of Rakhine's economic potential still remains untapped."
Opinion

Myanmar -- investors should be cautious but take the risk

If government pursues humanitarian agenda, foreign partners can back projects, even in Rakhine State.

27 March 2019
A Chinese billboard is seen in the city center of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Belt and Road

Cambodia breaks ground on $2bn China-funded expressway

Four-lane Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville road strengthens Beijing's clout

23 March 2019
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has been irked by false social media posts claiming that he is dead.
International relations

Cambodia squeezes online speech despite threat of EU backlash

European delegates to decide if country keeps preferential trade status

18 March 2019
The economic potential of Rakhine State "remains untapped," Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi told investors and businesses last week.
Economy

Suu Kyi urges investment in Rohingya crisis' epicenter

Myanmar leader keen to boost rural economy as 2020 election looms

27 February 2019
Phnom Penh has been a hive of development activity in recent years, much of it paid for with Chinese money. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
International relations

Japan makes infrastructure push into Southeast Asia

Cambodia first in line for smart, environmental urban development projects

19 February 2019
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is facing an economic storm, as Brexit threatens to upend export growth and the EU mulls the suspension of duty-free access to its markets.
Hun Sen's Cambodia

Brexit and EU sanctions threaten to push Cambodia into economic crisis

Economy will suffer if bloc pulls benefits, but Hun Sen continues with iron fist

11 February 2019
Myanmar's junta-era constitution bars State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from becoming president.
Politics

Myanmar greenlights panel on constitutional change

Current charter bars Suu Kyi from presidency

7 February 2019
A worker assembles parts at BMW Group factory in Jakarta.
Economy

Southeast Asia bucks trend of sinking global foreign investment

Strong markets make region the world's main driver of FDI growth

4 February 2019
Military representatives leave the Union Parliament in Naypyitaw on Jan. 29. Under the current constitution, the armed forces are guaranteed 25% of seats in the chamber.
Politics

Suu Kyi's NLD moves to amend Myanmar constitution to curb military

Emergency motion seen as attempt to woo back voters before 2020 election

30 January 2019
Foreign ministers from ASEAN member states met in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Jan. 17 and 18. (Photo by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat)
18 January 2019
Textile goods account for about 70% of Cambodia's total exports.
International relations

Cambodia and Myanmar walk 2 paths on EU pressure

Phnom Penh adopts political reforms but Naypyitaw unresponsive on refugees

8 January 2019
A ceremony for the first China-ASEAN Maritime Exercise, held in October 2018: Many Southeast Asians say China and the U.S. are on a collision course in the region.
Trade war

Southeast Asians feel caught in US-China fight for hegemony

Survey of opinion leaders finds skepticism of Belt and Road runs deep

7 January 2019
Cars are seen stuck in a traffic jam on Rama IX Road in Bangkok. Easing traffic congestion is one of the most urgent tasks for Asian cities.
International relations

Southeast Asia 'smart cities' redesign roads and grids with Japan

Tokyo readies aid for ASEAN's 26 pilot regions, taking different approach from Beijing

1 January 2019
Mahathir Mohamad, center, defeated onetime protege Najib Razak in Malaysia's election last year, ending over 60 years of one-party rule (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
2018 in review

Elections in Southeast Asia signal uncertain future for democracy

Votes in Malaysia and Cambodia bring starkly different outcomes

29 December 2018
The European Union is threatening to end Myanmar's trade preferences over the Rohingya issue, which would deal a major blow to the economy. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Economy

EU's threat to scrap trade preferences spurs Myanmar's reforms

Naypyitaw fights to win back investors in wake of Rohingya crisis

16 December 2018
The container terminal, whose completion was celebrated Dec. 14, will serve soaring shipping volumes in Myanmar. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Economy

Myanmar container yard backed by Japan nears opening

New logistics hub near Yangon will handle rising volumes in country

15 December 2018
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is under pressure from the European Union to reverse a ban on more than 100 opposition politicians.
Hun Sen's Cambodia

Hun Sen pressured to reverse ban on opposition politicians

Cambodia mulls concessions to avert harsh EU sanctions

7 December 2018
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina predicts that her government will boost growth as high as 10% if she is re-elected this month. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Interview

Exclusive: Bangladesh aims for 10% annual growth

PM Hasina says nation will seek bids for a second nuclear plant next year

6 December 2018
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen announces her resignation as chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party after the party's heavy losses in Saturday's midterms
Politics

Beijing likely meddled in Taiwan elections, US cybersecurity firm says

Chinese hackers probably used cyber operations to help pro-China Kuomintang

28 November 2018
Workers inside a Korean-owned garment factory in Yangon, Myanmar's commercial capital (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
Economy

Myanmar tops poor nations' FDI league as China cash flows in

Cambodia and Bangladesh make top five of the global economy's lowest tier

21 November 2018
Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi attends the ASEAN-South Korea summit in Singapore on Nov. 14.
International relations

Pressure mounts on Myanmar as ASEAN raises refugee crisis

Chair's statement includes 'concern' on South China Sea

15 November 2018
A Buddhist monk stands next to a glass case containing 5,000 human skulls belonging to Khmer Rouge victims at the Choeung Ek memorial in Phnom Penh.
Hun Sen's Cambodia

After 40 years, Cambodia's Khmer Rouge leaders face genocide verdict

Hun Sen government's interference and lengthy court process widely criticized

15 November 2018
Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Malaysia and Indonesia have been pushing ASEAN to take up the issue at their summit in Singapore. 
International relations

ASEAN aims to express 'concern' on Rohingya crisis for first time

Indonesia and Malaysia push for rare comment on a member's internal affairs

13 November 2018