Politics

Not as collegiate as they look: ASEAN leaders display their trademark handshake at their Vientiane summit on Sept. 7.
Politics

Plight of the Rohingya strains ASEAN unity

'Noninterference' put to test as Malaysia blasts Myanmar's actions in Rakhine

9 February 2017
Thai demonstrators rally outside Myanmar's embassy in Bangkok against the military crackdown on the Rohingya on Nov. 25.
Politics

Richard Horsey: Has Myanmar's Rakhine State reached a turning point?

Aung San Suu Kyi must use her political capital to change the crisis-wracked region

9 February 2017
Pursuit of peace: Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at the opening of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center in Naypyitaw on Jan. 1.
Politics

Embattled Suu Kyi crafts a 'fightback' strategy

Myanmar's de facto leader aims to counter criticism over Rohingya, reform delays

9 February 2017
Suu Kyi protege Zayar Thaw is a rapper-turned lawmaker in Myanmar. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

From rapper to Myanmar lawmaker

Once jailed for his anti-junta music, Zayar Thaw is now changing politics from within

9 February 2017
The military crackdown in Rakhine had sent some 70,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees fleeing to Bangladesh as of early February.
Politics

Chilling developments in Rohingya crisis put Suu Kyi in hot seat

Escalating violence, refugee flows threaten Myanmar icon's global standing

9 February 2017
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe inspect troops at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Jan. 12.
Economy

Michael Vatikiotis: Asia can fill the power vacuum left by the West

Asia must strive to protect its freedoms as the world shifts amid US protectionism and waning Western influence

9 February 2017
Phyo Min Thein, center, is increasingly seen as Aung San Suu Kyi's successor. (Photos by Motokazu Matsui)
Politics

Yangon politician emerges as possible Suu Kyi successor

City's leader gains reputation for strong leadership on urban reforms

7 February 2017
A monk carries a picture of Ko Ni at his funeral on Jan. 30 in Yangon.
Politics

Suu Kyi's silence on Muslim adviser's murder raises eyebrows

De facto leader distancing herself from Myanmar's religious tensions

6 February 2017
China displayed this model of a high-speed train at a railway cooperation ceremony in Thailand's Ayutthaya in December 2015.
Economy

China and Japan set for another high-speed railway fight

Thailand, Malaysia to start talks on 1,500km route

6 February 2017
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Economy

Protectionism could hurt Asia, warns IMF official

Developing economies fear Western investors may pull out

3 February 2017
Myanmar's military is clearly keen to build a relationship with the U.S. (Photo by Steve Tickner)
Politics

How the US could leverage Myanmar ties

SC Naypyitaw seeks investment and military relations, but will Trump deliver?

3 February 2017
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Economy

As America retreats, Asia is the last hope for free trade

ASEAN should be driving force behind new RCEP megapact TOKYO

2 February 2017
An attendee leaves the Congress Hall during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 20.
Economy

What happens when Asia's low labor cost model is disrupted?

Perhaps the chance to lead on climate change, trade and other issues

31 January 2017
Traffic crosses the border between Thailand and Myanmar on Feb. 17, 2016.
Economy

Southeast Asia reforms customs rules to boost trade

ASEAN Economic Community governments work to streamline logistics, cut costs

30 January 2017
Ko Ni was a prominent member of Myanmar's Muslim minority and legal adviser for Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy.
Politics

Prominent ruling party lawyer shot dead at Yangon airport

Killing of Ko Ni sends shockwaves through Myanmar's social media, rights groups and NLD

30 January 2017
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, called on OIC foreign ministers to urge Myanmar to stop human rights abuses against the Rohingya.
Politics

Rohingya crisis is another headache for ASEAN

Rift between Malaysia and Myanmar over Muslim minority deepens divisions over South China Sea disputes

26 January 2017
Hmong girls pose for a photograph in colorful ethnic costumes in Luang Prabang on Jan. 8.(Photos by Yasumasa Shimizu)
Politics

Annual Hmong festival a huge matchmaking party

Event aims to restore ethnic group's pride, prosperity

25 January 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump gives the thumbs-up during his inauguration ceremony in Washington on Jan. 20.
Economy

The time is right for a new 'Pax Asiana'

Asia must strive to protect its freedoms as the world shifts amid US protectionism and waning Western influence

23 January 2017
Malaysia prepares for an extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers on the Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority at a conference center in Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 19.
Politics

Myanmar rebuffs Malaysia on OIC as ASEAN warns on Rohingya naming issue

Naypyitaw accuses Malaysia of 'exploiting' Rohingya crisis as regional bloc warns over use of ASEAN name

22 January 2017
OIC Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen addresses a special meeting on Rohingya in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Politics

Muslim bloc urges Myanmar to end humanitarian crisis in Rakhine

Malaysia's Najib warns that the Rohingya issue could destabilize the region

19 January 2017
Container ships and other vessels sit anchored near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Dec. 2, 2016.
Economy

Patrick Low: Don't write off the WTO

Global body is best-placed to address issues blocking mega-regional trade deals

19 January 2017
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Politics

Asian CEOs jockey to win Trump's favor

Heavyweights seek first-mover advantage

19 January 2017
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Politics

Asian CEOs jockey to win Trump's favor

Heavyweights seek first-mover advantage

19 January 2017
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, speaks during a protest against the persecution of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims, in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 4.
Politics

Muslim bloc turns up pressure on Myanmar over Rohingya

Meeting in Malaysia to pass resolutions concerning human rights abuses

19 January 2017
More than 2,000 local residents and students in Yala province, Thailand, bid farewell to Sapae-ing Basor, 81, the former principle of Thamvithya Mulnithi School in Yala on Jan. 16. (Photo by Ibrohem Masoh)
Politics

Thailand's Muslims mourn death of spiritual leader

Sapae-ing Basor had been associated with rebel separatists in southern region

17 January 2017