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ASEAN

With ASEAN snub, Myanmar junta signals return to Cold War isolationism

Military officials have vowed to “learn to walk with only a few friends”, and weather international isolation and economic sanctions.

Unravelling gender-Based violence in Southeast Asia

It is essential for governments, together with grassroots communities and academia, to actively educate society.

An absence felt: Thai foreign policy’s decade of retrenchment

...more critical than leadership or domestic politics in accounting for Thailand’s decade of foreign policy retrenchment is...regional and geopolitics.

The price for neutrality is reform and preparedness

The current version of ASEAN is inadequate to implement a robust neutrality enforcement policy that follows a “strong neutrality” and “cohesive neutrality” principle.

Human rights ritualism in Southeast Asian regionalism

Regional organisations can play a wide range of roles in the human rights governance of the region, because different motivations for adopting rights and commitments result in different regional institutional designs.

Containing conflict and pandemic in Myanmar: an urgent mission

ASEAN has raised the bar for pushing dialogue in Myanmar: it will be a test for ASEAN's credibility to implement the consensus for real change in Myanmar.

ASEAN on Myanmar’s coup: revisiting Cold War diplomacy on Cambodia

ASEAN has precedent and success in interceding in struggles for diplomatic recognition at the United Nations during the Third Indochina War (1978-1991).

Pivot to ASEAN: why Biden should pay attention to Southeast Asia

America’s overlapping strategic interests concerning the South China Sea necessitate diplomatic engagement with ASEAN.

Can Vietnam lead ASEAN?

Vietnam seems to be managing global crises such as the pandemic and recession better than many other Southeast Asian nations.

Cambodia, Laos and their contribution to a new era in Southeast Asian security cooperation

With Cambodia and Laos loyal allies of China, Southeast Asia needs a new approach to security cooperation.

ASEAN and Australia: a new rhythm

After COVID-19, Australia will want to step up in the region...especially where the lessons and relevant technology can be generously shared.

The ASEAN pincer: caught between elite capture and populists

Democracy 2.0 in ASEAN must consider the invisible threat of elite capture and build new tools to fight it.

Warming to climate change

Can the new climate change ministry navigate the complex politics of competing interests when tackling the threats of extreme weather? Or is an independent commission answerable to Parliament needed to hold the government to account?

Lost in race between first world and third

Reform-minded Malaysians are fatigued after two missed opportunities since 2008, with today's centrifugal politics generating even more social tensions. Not even Dr Mahathir’s surprise (re)emergence can mend those fractures, as Malaysians dream of the First World but still struggle in the Third as inequality worsens.

All the news that’s fit to fake

As Malaysia rushes to its GE14 on 9 May, the new anti-fake news law is primed against the state's critics, emboldening speech vigilantism by outsourced censors linked to the ruling UMNO party.

The (re)making of Malaysia and its fabulous 1963 promise

With Malaysia's Parliament now dissolved in the official rush to GE14's polling day, Sabah and Sarawak are again crucial states determining the winning coalition.

What should the region do about Cambodia’s crackdown?

A discussion on how Australia, ASEAN, and the world might support democracy and human rights in Cambodia.

Gareth Evans on confronting Hun Sen

Read the former Australian foreign minister's remarks made at the "Cambodia on the Brink" conference in Canberra.

ASEAN’s myths: creating continuity, rather than change

ASEAN's human rights mechanisms reflect the body's prioritising the interests of national elites. Don't expect it to be of use in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Old dominance, new dominoes in Southeast Asia

Democracy in the region finds itself in dark days. Can anything save it?

ASEAN and women: empower movements, not just individuals

Programs to increase women’s market competitiveness aren't a substitute for collective action for gender equality.

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Our editor, Liam Gammon, offers some advice on getting your comment published.

New editor for New Mandala

New Mandala founder Nicholas Farrelly announces Liam Gammon's new role