The rise of the internet and social media has transformed how conflicts are seen and fought. What people post online, even from thousands of miles away, can now shape events on the ground.
The September 2025 social media ban in Nepal, which sparked widespread protests and global attention, shows just how deeply digital platforms are tied to modern society. Around the world, countries are realizing that controlling their image online can be as important as winning on the battlefield.
This reality has become especially clear in Southeast Asia. Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand over the Preah Vihear Temple escalated from protests in February into open conflict by July, leaving dozens dead and displacing more than 300,000 people before international pressure forced a ceasefire. As the fighting intensified, both sides scrambled to shape the story, both on traditional media and social networks alike.
Two trends emerged: the growing power of social media to
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