Southeast Asia Insights

Nearly ten years after the Philippines’ “war on drugs” began, it is now defined by a striking contradiction. Former president Rodrigo Duterte is on trial before the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. Yet, according to rights monitors, drug-related killings linked to police operations are still being recorded across the country in 2026 under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.   The result is a ra...

Vietnam has entered a new political phase with little noise and even less debate. At the Communist Party Congress in January 2026, To Lam secured another five years as the country’s top leader in a process so smooth it revealed how tightly power is now held at the center.   A former security chief, Lam already occupies the most powerful position in Vietnam’s system. If he also assumes the presidency, as many expect, two of the ...

A burst of online claims has pushed the Indonesia-Malaysia border dispute back into public debate in 2026, with rumors suggesting that thousands of hectares of land near Sabah and North Kalimantan were “handed over” in a secret deal. At the center of the debate are three villages in Indonesia’s Nunukan district and claims involving 5,207 hectares of land.   Leaders in both Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta have moved quickly to ca...

Asia’s tourism scene is getting more competitive, with Malaysia and Japan almost tied as the region’s top destinations. In 2025, Malaysia welcomed 42.2 million visitors, close to Japan’s 42.68 million. Both countries are expected to grow further in 2026, with Malaysia aiming for 43 million arrivals. Thailand, South Korea, and the Philippines trail behind, showing just how tight the regional tourism race has become. &n...

The Philippines took major defense steps in 2025 and early 2026. Manila expanded military alliances, signed new security deals, and strengthened old partnerships. These moves signaled a clear shift in defense strategy and a willingness to prepare for a more contested region.   China’s rising military activity in the South China Sea influenced nearly every decision. Analysts say Beijing’s pressure has accelerated Manila’s ...