Southeast Asia Insights

As turmoil in the Persian Gulf pushes fuel prices higher, governments from Manila to Jakarta are moving faster on nuclear plans once treated as distant or optional. What has changed is the pressure behind it. What once looked like a long-term option now feels much harder to postpone.   The disruption has exposed a vulnerability Southeast Asia can no longer ignore. In that context, nuclear energy is being reconsidered less as a long-term am...

The 1MDB scandal is back in the headlines in 2026, with new court battles, fresh rumors, and significant financial fallout keeping the story alive. The case, linked to billions in missing funds, continues to shape politics, banking, and public trust across multiple countries.   The scandal, which has gripped Malaysia for nearly a decade, centers on the alleged theft of $4.5 billion from a government-owned investment fund. High-profile figu...

Fuel prices are continuing to rise since the United States and Israel began their war against Iran. For Southeast Asia, this is more than another jump in energy costs. As pressure builds on the Strait of Hormuz, governments across the region are scrambling to secure fuel supplies they do not control and cannot easily replace.   Some are opening channels to Iran to protect tanker access. Others are looking for alternative supplies. At the same t...

Myanmar’s civil war has entered a more dangerous phase, with the military claiming fresh gains after years of conflict. The conflict began in 2021 when the army seized power and removed elected leaders. Since then, the country has been locked in a violent struggle that has killed more than 96,000 people and forced millions from their homes. Military Strength Is Shifting the War The Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, now appears stro...

A court in Thailand has ruled that a major gold mining company is responsible for toxic pollution affecting hundreds of villagers, in a landmark decision that could reshape environmental lawsuits across Southeast Asia.   The case, filed in 2016, accused operators of the Chatree Gold Mine in northern Thailand of causing serious contamination. After years of legal battles, the Bangkok Civil Court found the company liable for environmental da...