Southeast Asia Insights

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is increasingly at the center of US-China competition in the Indo-Pacific, emerging as a key arena where security, trade, and influence intersect.    The country's location between Oceania and Southeast Asia places it along major shipping routes and close to key regional economies. Beyond geography, it also has a population of more than nine million and significant mineral, energy, and fisheries potential, highl...

Indonesia’s fast-growing economy is hiding a crisis affecting millions of workers. Strong GDP growth, rising foreign investment, and massive infrastructure projects have turned Indonesia into one of Southeast Asia’s biggest economic success stories. New airports, highways, ports, and rail networks are reshaping major cities and attracting global investors.   But behind the headlines, many Indonesians are struggling with low wag...

A gradual but important shift is unfolding in the southern Philippines. In Mindanao, particularly in Sulu and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), local peace and security efforts are beginning to produce visible results after decades of conflict, underdevelopment, and political instability.   The changes remain fragile, but still they point to a deeper transformation. Instead of relying mainly on military operation...

On May 12, 2026, disgraced financier and alleged 1MDB mastermind Jho Low reportedly submitted a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence” request to the White House, a move that could clear his US criminal liability tied to one of the world’s largest financial scandals. While the request would not affect the separate charges he still faces in Malaysia, it would raise serious questions about Washington’s commitment to financial...

Across Southeast Asia, education has shifted beyond classrooms and textbooks. Schools now depend on digital platforms, online assignments, and virtual tools. This change accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has not slowed down. Digital learning is now part of daily school life.   Unfortunately, access has not kept pace. For many low-income families, one device must serve several children. In some homes, there is no suitable dev...